The effect a high-energy disassembly procedure has on a nitro-guzzling engine can be devastating. Each cylinder is making more than 1,200 horsepower, so there’s plenty of force that’s more than willing to damage the engine block. In this video, big-show nitro tuner Rob Wendland shows us what goes into repairing a nitro engine block using just hand tools.

The number six hole of this particular block was beaten up pretty badly when the head gasket failed. That gasket failure led to a whole lot of combustion trying to exit the engine in just one spot. The level of intensity when the fire tries to leave the cylinder is about equal to a cutting torch, and that’s why the block, along with the cylinder head, is melted like butter.

The repair process starts with Wendland removing all of the slag and other contamination from the wound on the engine block. These contaminants must be removed so the welds Wendland lays down will have a clean and proper surface to bond with. As he starts welding, Wendland explains how he has set his machine up for this job, and why these settings work so well. We also get to see Wendland work through his process of welding and hammering as he builds the block back up. One of the more interesting tools we see Wendland use during the repair is a woodworking router.

Wendland wraps up the video by showing us how he does all of the finish work to the block and gets it ready to be put back into service. Make sure to check out Wendland’s YouTube channel to see other cool content like this.