Thanks to all who responded to my post last week re cracked BB shell on Vent Noir. Almost all respondants recommended either TIG-welding or brazing a reinforcement over crack. I took the frame to our highly-regarded local builder (Steve Rex) and he said the shell isn't cracked and wouldn't want to do the job anyway. My thoughts, could it be a cosmetic defect? If cosmetic, would the threads on one side of the crack be about 0.001" higher than other side? It looks like a crack to me but whom am I to disagree with a pro. Also, upon close inspection, the "crack" on the inside does not line-up with hairline "crack(s)" on the ouside. Maybe I am just seeing surface cracks or imperfections. Could the shell be laminated?...there is what appears to be a casting seam on inside and out. The lugset is BCA. BTW, Vent Noir bare frame weighs about 1/4 lb less than same size 70's Paramount...nice, 'cept for the CRACK!
Jack Romans
Sacramento, CAlifornia