While cleaning the heads I discovered a large crack between the middle water hole and lower middle stud hole, it also looks like it is traveling toward the upper stud hole. Can this crack be fixed with a plug / weld repair or should I start looking for a new head? I talked to my local machine shop a few weeks ago (before I saw this) and he said cracks are normal in flatheads and depending on the size some don't even repair??? thanks in advance

 

if you need a 59 AB head i can set you up with one, i have several of them.

 

Thanks thats awesome, If I can't get mine fixed for cheep or run it the way it is, ill take you up on that offer. How much would you want for one?
again thank you.

 

not sure what there going for. how about $40, i can look it over to make sure theres no issues with it. where are you located? shipping might be ???

 

I replaced a head gasket on a farm tractor recently (actually a 1941 Cletrac crawler). The 4 cyl flathead had a crack in the head identical to the one you have pictured. I did nothing to it and put it back on. The crawler runs just fine, even in hot temps.
I realize a truck motor is different than a tractor motor, so perhaps you are better off getting another head. Just be sure the replacement head doesn't have it's own set of problems.

 

I've been told that cracks from the coolant passage to a bolt hole aren't a problem, even in the block.

 

In my experience it's the block that cracks and sometimes fairly badly. Therefore there ends up being good heads all over the place, never mind starters and carbs and oil pans and ...... When I find a good block to build on I always have plenty of components around.