ok, now i see what you mean...and IMO the gasket wont fix the problem because you wont have bolt to keep pressure on that end of the gasket.

I would take it to a head place while its still running and get an opinion on repairing that on the car first...may not be possible but would be your cheapest option

 

I have the exact same problem in the exact same spot. I have been told you should NOT try a weld repair. The head is not a good canidate for welding (I am not a welder, just saying what I have been told) and you are putting a lot of pressure on it. Mine is jury rigged with a bolt and large washers. It does not appear to leak but it looks like hell.

CJ's Pony Parts quoted me around $225.00 for a head out of thier junkyard. Any junkyard head needs to be machined and rebuilt before installing. The problem I have around me is that no junkyard has 40 year old Fords left.

Verify this from a more knowledge person than me, but I think the 170 head will also work on the 200.

I also found a place on line www.adccylinderheads.comthat offers rebuilt heads.

Since mine appearsnot tobe leakingit is on my list to get fixed but not #1 on the list.

 

I think a good welder experienced in welding cast iron could weld the piece back in with a nickle rod. With a little care and spreading of the pressure of the bolt in the repair area it probablymaybe might last....

If the head has to come off to weld, or the repair is more than $150 or $200, then a rebuilt or even a good used head would be a better answer.

You should be able to find a head for a reasonable price if you look.... check around some machine shops, chances are they might even have one in laying around somewhere... there were millions and millions served...

If none of this sounds good, there is one more solution.....

[IMG]local://upfiles/59032/90B9BA1B15D946E5BC5B52906B0FD031.jpg[/IMG]

EDIT >> Another welding option might be to weld a bolt into the hole with the cracked off piece welded in also. This would of course mean that you have a stud instead of a bolt, but I think the chances of success would be much greater.

Of course the manifold would need to be able to be installed with a stud in the head... but I think it is no problem with those engines....

 

Duct tape and superglue. Good as new.


A good welder than can weld cast iron should be able to fix that.