Wanted: d60 hubs and aluminum welder

[Big-Hoe]

I am looking for d60 hubs and calipers for an 1987 ford dana 60 and someone who can properly repair a damaged aluminum nv4500 bellhousing. One small crack and one 1/2" hole, not at stress points.


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[Big-Hoe]

Here are some pictures of my bellhousing and the damage that needs to be repaired. It weighs about 3 pounds and i spent three hours cleaning it. Clean enough that i took the pictures of it on my coffee table. If anyone has a sandblasting cabinet i could use for a few minutes, i would really appreciate it. I would bring my own medium of course. Just want to get at some of the nooks and crannies.


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[Big-Hoe]

Any tips on prepping the damage or making this piece look good would also be appreciated..... Btw, buying a new one is not an option. No pride, knowledge or wisdom gained that way and it's a fairly rare, first run piece.


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[Rooster]

I can't speak for the welding or sandblasting, but I came across this article the other day while trying to help a customer, perhaps you will find it useful:

http://www.ehow.com/how_5845906_polish-cast-aluminum.html

I don't know from experience if this will work or not, but I thought I'd share it anyways.

Alex

 

[Mlorint]

My buddys shop can weld it, Will's auto 613-832-1840

 

[chunkytrunks]

BTW Luke, you won Rookie of the Year last year. Come get your throphy!

 

[Big-Hoe]

I know, i've been living under a rock all winter. I'll be at spring fever though, already packed! Thanks i'll give that shop a call.


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[Carbide]

FYI, I wouldn't sandblast before welding, especially if you're using silica sand. It will embed silicon into the surface causing a poor weld. Aluminium welding can be tricky and much more temperamental than steel. Whoever welds it will do the final prep just before welding. It should be wire brushed with a stainless steel (not steel) brush no more that 20 minutes before welding, since aluminium oxidizes very fast (at least from a welding cleanliness perspective). Cleanliness is usually the primary problem if there are problems with an aluminium weld.

Keep in mind that when welding any tempered aluminium like 6061-T6 (a common extrusion alloy) the weld area will become annealed and only be 1/2 the strength, so avoid welding around higher stress areas or add gussets. That however, shouldn't be an issue with your repair.

Hope this helps

 

[Big-Hoe]

Excellent info Carbide! I thought i would be making the welders life easier by having it shiny as new. I am glad you posted this. I will leave it alone and worry about aesthetics once the pro has repaired it. I know that it takes some serious skill to weld aluminum, that's why i posted, and i'm glad i did!


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[Big-Hoe]

And i almost bought a sandblaster today but Princess auto was sold out!


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[Logan]

+1 to wills auto. That guy is amazing!

 

[Carbide]

...even sanding can cause problems, since a lot of sandpaper uses aluminium oxide as an abrasive. So you end up rubbing aluminium oxide into the weld area and that's one of the things you're trying to remove. I usually stick with grinder discs (made for aluminium) stainless wire brush and chemical cleaning (using high volatile chemicals). Good luck with it.