Machinist's advice sought

[SuperNovaSS]

I agree, the seat and guide are no problem as long as there is enough meat for a hard seat. Going to screw in studs is a good solution. Welding should not be crazy expensive. It is just very hard to find guys to do it. That type of repair with likely require pre heating the entire head and argon flood welding since its cast iron. Old school guys put the head on a charcoal BBQ to heat it, do the welding while on the BBQ and leave the head on the BBQ to cool as the coals go out which allows for even cooling. It's the quick cooling that causes cracks. Hearing a "tink" is the sound of death.

I believe there are also a lot of newer processes now as well.

Jason