This is a spare block I have sitting here, planned on building it up for my FI project and then swapping it in. However I have hit a roadblock:







Busted at one of the trans mounting points. Can this be welded? I have been told no, and I have been told yes.

Your thoughts?

 

I want to say yes but it being aluminum, and with odd shape, it be very hard to weld back together. It will also loose some of the integrity and weaken the area. Then you have the possibility of the area getting warped.

 

you need to find an aluminum welder with a lot of skill, I don't like the chances though, not with the corner of you trans mount. If you have an option "B" I would take it instead.

 

Well, option B is to build the block thats in the car now, so its not the end of the world either way.

I figured it would not be as strong after, regardless, but since there are 6 trans mounting bolts I was not sure how much difference it would make.

Thanks for the opinions so far, keep them coming.

 

it isn't just one mount of six, it is the corner. if you get any twist, it could break the next in line, or cause hell during launch.

 

I am in agreement with you, if there is going to be any question about the rigidity of the block I am not going to bother. I will have to get it overbored to accept my arias low comp pistons, and if theres a chance it could snap at the weld; well thats not a possibility I'm willing to accept after I dump money into it.

 

sorry to hear about the bad luck. having 6 years welding expereance and a degree in welding would lead me to conclude that yes it can be welded but it will never be as strong. the shape is very odd and the piece is to thick to get full penitration. even if one of the top aluminum welder's in the country welded it. it would eventualy crack from vibration. i would recomend you dont pay someone to weld that back together because it would be a waste of $.

 

I probably wouldn't weld anything particularly weight bearing. then again, I am not an expert on welding.