Can this be fixed?

[Daftclass]

I was tightening up a bolt when I heard a big pop sound.

 

[SONICJK]

What broke I can't tell from the pictures

 

[Daftclass]

It's right below the neutral stopper switch. The crankcase cracked.

 

[LaynDoor]

Ugh... that would make me pucker... I wouldnt think that could be repaired... but maybe a welding shop would be willing to at least give it a shot.

Edit: that would be a really difficult location to get a torch into

 

[Daftclass]

It made my heart sink and then rise to get stuck in my throat, this being my first engine rebuild.

 

[Bert Jan]

Well, thats nasty!

I guess it can be fixed, it always can. How did it happen? a bolt a bit too long from the other side?
A shop would have a hard time getting the torch in there indeed, but you might want to check this stuff;

http://youtu.be/kMvuwS3e24A

Now, i've never used this stuff or any other, so (there are more brands these days making similar stuff) use at own risk

 

[TheCoffeeGuy]

was the bolt too long?

 

[Daftclass]

It is the same exact bolt that came out of that spot when I was tearing it down. It's possible that I wrenched it to tight.

 

[rexsk8er]

got any pictures of the piece that broke off? It looks repairable to me, and a skilled welder wont burn up the seal, aluminum conducts heat really well, so with a wet rag laying on that seal, and the proper TIG equipment it can be done

 

[Daftclass]

Nothing really broke off, it just cracked a bit.

 

[rexsk8er]

just need a miniature tig torch, when i welded aluminum at a machine shop i repaid stuff in alot tighter spots

 

[rexsk8er]

ok i seen now, could of been to long of a bolt, or could of been some gasket maker inside the threads. ive seen that happen before, someone slather on gasket maker and the cases split. IMO jb weld would fix that, if applied properly. allways a good idea to chase all threads on a rebuild

 

[Daftclass]

Thanks a bunch, I will try that. Noted on the thread chasing bit.

 

[bradj]

Is it A dead hole or does it go into oil you may just be able to leave it alone next time number your bolt when you pull it apart

 

[Daftclass]

I couldn't see anything when I tried to look inside the crack.

 

[teazer]

That looks like a typical break through above/below a dowel/locating pin. There's usually a pin that locates the bearings on those shafts and if it's too long (the wrong one) or mislocated, it pushed out.

 

[mydlyfkryzis]

Teazer is right. there is no bolt. That is one of the end bearings in the transmission. there are anti-rotation pins or dowels, as Teazer mentioned.

Even if it is repairable, the cases need to come apart. That pin is proably deforming the bearing slightly too. You need to get it right. I watched a fellow crack a lower case in half when the anti rotation pin on the crank bearing wasn't lined up. He tightened down the case and "CRACK", the case split in half...

 

[Daftclass]

Yup, totally forgot about the dowel pins when I was putting it together. Cracked them both.

Slightly depressing.

 

[rockcitycafe]

jb weld it. for reals.

 

[Tim]

Can likely be repaired as some have said but for sure open it up soon and sort the bearings out.