And all this time I thought arc welding was only stick welding. I guess all or most welding has to strike an ark. I also had no idea our Miller TIG welders could stick weld. I have been doing this for 36 years and we have never done it.

Heating the block could be an issue unless it's a small enough crack to heat with a rosebud. I would think you would need to control the cooling but obviously I know very little about welding. I have never struck an ark in my life.

JJ