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Jim, Over the years there have been many threads here on the N-Board about repairing, by welding, of cast iron. Contrairy to most peoples belief, ci CAN be welded, AND can even be welded COLD - that is without "preheating" and the requsite slow cooling - when done PROPERLY! Dave #1 does this when necessary at the job where he works. Read the post linked below from the archives. It tells how it should be done and includes replies, especially the one from Dave about welding at his job. Not knowing what/where you busted the cover, I can't say right now if I would try to weld it if it was mine. The critical issues would be: A; is the break into a machined surface, if so which surface - the flat area that mates to the rear diff. housing could be "resurfaced" rather easily in a good machine shop (not that different from making a warped engine head flat) B; what are the "working" stresses at the break, since it was broke in a press, that would put much different loads on the cover than it would have when pulling an implement, so I would guess that where the break is would NOT have large "working" stresses that might rebreak under load. The key to welding is to find some that has done it many times before. Ask around, I'll bet you can find an "old timer" that "knows his stuff" and can weld it almost as good as new. You will want to ask to "see" jobs that he has done, so ask who he has done ci welding for and how to contact them to check on his success. Hope you find that it can be welded with out much problem. Good luck on the repair and other work on your N. Regards,
Larry
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