Cast Iron - Antique Head

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I've gotten to the point of "restoring" a 1929 Caterpillar Model TEN tractor that I need to do something with the head I currently have. It was cracked across the top due to running water in it at some point in its lifetime. It had been welded many, many moons ago. The guy that I got it from said it came off a running tractor but had a weep in it. I ground down the material (pure nickel?) that was put on. I started finding a lot of slag inclusions. Then as the dust built up I started seeing more cracks showing up. I found the weep point and have it ground out also.Question is that seen as this isn't a pressurized system, why can't I just heat this up in the oven to about 400 to 500 degrees and silver solder it?Its water jacket crack and the previous weld will hold it.Any opinions?Good heads are pretty much un-obtainable for these as a lot of them were water froze, hence making them very expensive.
Reply:You would have to grind & sand all of the affected areas smooth & shiny, or the silver won't "tin" (stick & flow via capillary action). Use the same prep for brazing, IMO a better approach.http://www.facebook.com/LockhartMetalArthttp://www.facebook.com/pages/Grumpy...44306259043484
Reply:Palco 800  may be worth a try, or at least call them to see if it would work.Never used there products, but it looks interesting as last try.
Reply:i've welded cast iron with silicon bronze. bevel the cracks out with a grinder, preheat head to 250f for 30 minutes, weld with silicon bronze, stick the whole head in a bucket of sand for 24 hours. hasn't failed me..good luck, greg
Reply:Update: Wife isn't home, head is sitting on the woodstove in the house!In an hour I'lltake it off and lean it up close to stay warm. Tomorrow hopefully I'll be able to clean it up again and inspect for missed old cracks or new ones?????