tig welding

[johnsonm50]

Im having a welder weld some 70s era OMC towers and the welds are cracking soon after at the edge of the weld. Hes tried area preheat and several rod types and temps. These are cast aluminum but seem kinda brittle as if some hardening alloy was present. He did find that other aluminum welds to it fine but the tower wont weld to itself well. Anyone know why?

[Original Looper 1]

ARE YOU SURE THOSE TOWERS AREN'T mag

[johnsonm50]

ARE YOU SURE THOSE TOWERS AREN'T mag

No, Im not sure. thats why Im askin.

[BURKHARDT]

Tig Welding

Try drilling a small hole at each end of your weld, this will stop the cracking.

Also keep in mind, Your welding an EXHAUST HOUSING, You have a lot of oil deposits on the inside of that housing, so the heat from the weld will draw these deposits to your clean welding surface.

Good Luck.

Brian

[johnsonm50]

Try drilling a small hole at each end of your weld, this will stop the cracking.

Also keep in mind, Your welding an EXHAUST HOUSING, You have a lot of oil deposits on the inside of that housing, so the heat from the weld will draw these deposits to your clean welding surface.

Good Luck.

Brian

Thanks Brian, I ground, cleaned & recleaned before bringing it to the welder but I guess 30 some years of exhaust gets in deep. We found that welding other aluminum to it would work well even tho the cast parts wont weld to eachother well. Soon Ill have a 22ci OMC & a 31.8ci OMC on shortened towers w/ Yamato 14:15s & water pumps for hydro play

[Skoontz]

Penetration?

How much penetration do you have? Did you cut a Vee groove and make numerous passes? Or is the metal thin enough so that you don't need to do that?

[RichardKCMo]

Pics!!

Be sure and post some pics when finished, sounds like an int. project.
RichardKCMo

[G Stillwill]

I know some of the flywheels are of an egg sheel design and only surface hardened , cut through that surface and they become weak. Dont know if any other OMC parts are made that way or not.

[johnsonm50]

How much penetration do you have? Did you cut a Vee groove and make numerous passes? Or is the metal thin enough so that you don't need to do that?

I asked for 100% but he tried various things to get it to work. I did v it out deep leaving only enough flat surface to align. I cleaned it with power a wash and acetone / ss wire brush. The welder is highly recommended, I dont fault him- I gave him an unknown polluted alloy.. so far. Thanks

[johnsonm50]

Be sure and post some pics when finished, sounds like an int. project.
RichardKCMo

Heres a couple B4 pics, [& why I want to lower it] then the 22ci mid cut & pre-fitted.

<a href="http://s35.photobucket.com/albums/d151/mes355/?action=view&current=289.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d151/mes355/289.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>

<a href="http://s35.photobucket.com/albums/d151/mes355/?action=view&current=IMG021.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d151/mes355/IMG021.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>

<a href="http://s35.photobucket.com/albums/d151/mes355/?action=view&current=DSCN0002.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d151/mes355/DSCN0002.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>

[G Stillwill]

With that gear foot you would be better off just making a stick tower and forget playing with that stock tower. It would be stronger and less chance of loosing the lower end if it the tower breaks.

[johnsonm50]

With that gear foot you would be better off just making a stick tower and forget playing with that stock tower. It would be stronger and less chance of loosing the lower end if it the tower breaks.

Thats true but I want to run the waterpump. The way I have these is the coupler is 1/8" below the needle bearing under the waterpump base. What I plan to do is epoxy & machine screw 1/16 sheet aluminum over the welds to re-enforce and be an early indicater of possible trouble. Thanks

[ricochet112]

Im having a welder weld some 70s era OMC towers and the welds are cracking soon after at the edge of the weld. Hes tried area preheat and several rod types and temps. These are cast aluminum but seem kinda brittle as if some hardening alloy was present. He did find that other aluminum welds to it fine but the tower wont weld to itself well. Anyone know why?

Some of the problem could be from OMC, they used poor quality aluminum back then. I've had similar issues having fishing motor parts welded on from that era.

[greenmerc]

vinegar

If you dont know if its magnesium pour vinegar on it!!! Vinegar acts like acid on mag and makes it smoke!!!! If its aluminum its just like pouring water on it!!

[johnsonm50]

Some of the problem could be from OMC, they used poor quality aluminum back then. I've had similar issues having fishing motor parts welded on from that era.

It seems that better quality aluminum will weld to it. As far as strength, I hit a submerged object at over 50 that bounced the rear of the hydro up nearly 2 feet, there was some minor damage.