Looking for cast Aluminum Welding

[elirab]

Is anyone aware of someone in the Raleigh area that can weld cast aluminum?

Brazing might also be an option.

I have a friend with a cast aluminum timing chain cover that needs some attention.

Apparently a replacement part is unobtainium currently.

Thanks

 

[rdinatal]

Cracked or broken?

For a crack doesn't JB Weld come in AL?

 

[Scsmith42]

I don't think that you can braze aluminum.

TIG welding should be able to weld the cast aluminum.

 

[Snal~]

I don't think that you can braze aluminum.

TIG welding should be able to weld the cast aluminum.

^^^^THIS^^^^^
...and do the welder a favor, get the part, the whole part, as CLEAN as you can possibly get it. I've welded plenty of cast aluminum, and getting it clean enough usually takes
a lot more time than it does to actually weld it.

 

[DangerRuss]

Sapps welding and radiator in Garner would do this, but when I look them up now, my “maps” app says they are permanently closed. Might be worth a call to check.

 

[Tucci454]

Look at stuff like this maybe? If timing cover isn't bearing too much load from accessory mounting or something.

 

[DangerRuss]

I don't think that you can braze aluminum.

I have “brazed” aluminum, but I’m not sure if it’s called brazing. You use an acetylene torch and aluminum-compatible filler rod. It is hard to do because the aluminum doesn’t glow red like steel does, so hard to tell when you’re at the melting point. You find yourself just melting away the base material by accident.
This is similar to Tig welding, but in Tig your torch is electric and more controlled.
There are also filler rods for aluminum that work at lower temps with a propane torch, like shown below. I guess this is more like soldering. I’ve done this for cosmetic repairs, but no experience with it for structural repairs.

Aluminum repair kits, repair aluminum by welding with a Propane Torch - Alumiweld

 

[Scsmith42]

^^^ Thx for the clarification.

As Basil said, getting it clean is the biggest challenge. The last casting that I welded was an automatic transmission case from a Ford Ranger, and it was a real challenge getting it clean enough to have a successful weld.

 

[elirab]

Thanks guys.

I'll check out Sapps and ensure to pass along the admonition to clean it completely.

 

[cold1]

Welding cast anything is a bear. Cast aluminum that has been immersed in oil for years is going to be rough to weld.

Maybe @thrillhill can point you to used cover.

 

[RacerX]

See above….

Personal experience - I had a cracked timing chain cover and we attempted to tig weld with no luck. It failed the dye test despite a high end welder’s efforts.

Part of the issue he encountered was contamination (oil) coming out of the crack itself. We couldn’t get it to stop, so the filler rod wouldn’t blend with the base material.

I hope you have better luck…