Yanmar 2gm cylinder head; can it be fixed?

[Doons60]

I pulled the head on my Yanmar 2GM as I believed I had issues with an exhaust valve. I took it to the local machine shop to have it all checked out and in just a few minutes they pointed to the real issue; there is a hole burned in the exhaust port in the head allowing oil to go from the head and directly into the exhaust. Ate hole is roughly 3/8 in and the shop will not fix it base on their inability to weld cast iron. A friend sing bested trying to braise the hole shot but I'm just not too keen on the idea.
I saw on YouTube a similar issue where it appeared the port was bored out and a brass or bronze fitting put in place.
Has anyone experienced this issue? If so how did you fix it?
Used heads are close to I'mpossible to source and a new head is around $1350, so I'm looking for options.
Thanks

 

[woodster]

you need to post some clear pictures of the head and the damage....... some can be welded some can't ...did they recommend a good welding shop....... you may have to find one on your own...... look for a shop that welds automotive engine parts some times a good tig welder can fix a lot of odd things

 

[Benny17441]

Cast iron can be welded but it is a detail job which requires high heat and expensive welding equipment.. Go online and check with some of the big outfits that do cylinder heads repairs. I do not like the location of the hole for a repair but go ahead and check with the professionals. The issue with head repairs is reliability which is something important in a marine engine. The head for the 2 GM is listed at Yanmar for $583 so that price you got most be assembled including the valves and ready to bolt on. Consider that even if you get a used head you should disassemble it and take it to a machine shop to be inspected for cracks and rectified, install new guides and valves after checking the springs are up to spec. The head plus parts and labor could run you around $600-$800. Would not recommend getting a used head and just installing it.

 

[Captn Scotty]

A good welder should be able to use a NiCad stick and fix that hole, so long as it can be preheated, peened, and post heated. I'd love to see a picture?

 

[markwbird]

I think you are best sucking it up and buying the new head. You will spend money trying to fix this and most likely will end up replacing the head in the end anyway.