Cracks in a 460 bellhousing

[OH_VDUB]

Can someone help me with some advice, I have a 85-87 460 bell housing with the external slave cyinder backet. Around where the clutch fork would come out is 3 different hair line crack, what can I do get it welded or it's just junk.

[johnboy427]

If its aluminum I would try and find a new one, if its iron you should be able to get it welded just make sure you find some one who knows what they are doing you need to drill holes at the end of the crack and use the right rod, it should be stick welded. It is possible to weld cast aluminum but it is iffy at best in my opinion.
-Johnboy

[mark a.]

Cast aluminum is easy to tig weld. Drilling holes at the end of a crack is just inviting porosity into a weld as far as I'm concerened, V it out and weld it up.

[johnboy427]

How does drilling the ends of the cracks cause porosity? What filler would you use to TIG cast aluminum?

[mark a.]

You have to ask ?

[johnboy427]

I have never TIG welded cast aluminum so I was wandering about the filler. As for the hole causing porosity I have welded for Caterpillar for 5yrs and drilling the hole before rewelding is standard procedure and I have never had it cause porosity in all the 100s I have done. We mostly MIG but stick weld some if it requires hard/soft facing or if its just too hard to get at, has been awhile since I have TIGed anything and don't remember ever having the hole cause porosity.
-Johnboy

[OH_VDUB]

Thanx for the help, the bellhousing is Aluminum. I called a local machine to get it welded, I'm dropping it off on monday to get welded but I will keep my eyes open for a different housing.