Timing Chain front cover - welding - advice please

[J.E.S]

I have a small crack in the top corner of my front cover (where the bolt goes up into the cylinder head) - I'd like to repair by welding (not soldering). A little research before embarking on this repair seems a good idea - can anyone advise on the alloy used for these castings - is it a magnesium aluminium alloy for example. Any advice on the type of welding rod required would be helpful. I appreciate that the casting will need to be degreased and pre heated before a weld can be achieved - any experience in welding these castings would be gladly received. Thanks in advance John.

[tvacc]

I had the exact same repair done 40 years ago. Any competent welding shop that does aluminum welding should be able to do it.

Jeff K has the car and motor now. Still running after all these years.

As I did not do it myself, I cannot help you with the particulars, but I do remember it was not a big deal. Maybe I got lucky the first time I needed to do it.

But I will say one thing. This might be the time to go to a cartridge pump/ front cover.

Tony V

[J.E.S]

Thanks Tony.

[CBUEB1771]

I also had a similar weld repair to my front cover many years ago. The repair has held up well and I suspect the alloy used in the front cover has good welding properties. I had a minor issue with the weld shrinkage pulling the cover out of flatness, it really should have been welded on both sides of the case. It sounds as though weld shrinkage should not be an issue given where your repair is required. Preheating the casting before welding will help a bit.