Cracked fan housing

[Drdogface]

Just got my stuff back from the powder coaters and see a big ugly crack in the fan housing... It's in the back near the stud. The crack is all the way thru the shell but only comes about 1/2" forward in the width. I think these are aluminum but not sure. It's off of a 78SC and Parts Heaven told me that the 78 & 79 are different from others but I have no idea. They don't have a replacement.

I think it could be welded but I'm not sure just who or what process would suit the material.

Any advice here appreciated.

[cbeers]

hey Mark,

I just had mine welded up as part of the alternator rebuild process. I used Riteway electric in SF but they sent it out for welding I believe.

If you call and ask them about it, they will point you in the right direction. Great guys to deal with IMO.

-Chris

[Rot 911]

The OEM fan housing is magnesium, but can be welded.

[Drdogface]

Originally posted by cbeers
hey Mark,

I used Riteway electric in SF but they sent it out for welding I believe.

If you call and ask them about it, they will point you in the right direction. Great guys to deal with IMO.

-Chris

Chris,
Thanks...I just did call them and they said "I think any welder can do that"...not so. My guys up here say they can weld aluminum but not Mag. I guess Mag is a special deal. One guy did say he could braize it (sp?) but would not be as strong as the proper process. Dunno if it really needs to be extra strong or not. ??

Anyone with absolute info on the process of welding magnesium? Referal near Sac would be great.

[cbeers]

Hey Mark,

I bet when he said that, he was meaning any welder as in the person welding, not the welding machine. It is indeed magnesium. They had mine done, so I am surprised he wasn't more helpful

I would call around your local places and start asking.

Sorry I wasn't of more help.

-Chris

[Drdogface]

Chris,

Just back from another shop that didn't open til 1PM. They said no problem so I left it with them. I have used them before for all kinds of things. Should be done in less than a week.

Thanks for the help and advice.

[porsche930dude]

My uncle welds magnezium sometimes. Once he did it overhead so it got all over his arms and he had about 30 golf ball sized welts all over his arms. I dont know what that magneium does to the skin but its not good

[Drdogface]

It ignites at a relatively low temp and then burns pretty hot. Likely little shavings fell onto to him and burned him in all those spots. They likely looked like sparks but were burning shavings. My guess anyway. A big chunk is hard to get to burn but the shavings go up easily.

[safe]

Magnesium has some interesting properties....
From Wikipedia:
Melting point 923 K (650 °C, 1202 °F)
The autoignition temperature of magnesium is approximately 744 K (473 °C, 883 °F).
Magnesium is also flammable, burning at a temperature of approximately 2500 K (2200 °C, 4000 °F).