Do not jack up truck with oil pan!

admin

Customer told me his son put jack under pan---oops.  1: 5.3 GM cast alu engine oil pan.  2: Close up of bust.  3: Broke out spider web because I wanted to grind clean edges of cracks, ground out rest of cracks. Cracks are full of oil and the edges are oxidized, grinding is necessary for good weld.  4: Finished ugly weld, I won't lie, a shinny stack o dimes is what I would have preferred. But welding such crappy castings--it won't happen. Well I guess it could if I grind crack out a couple more times/reweld but I'm trying to repair for least $$.This pan ranks up there with the crappiest alu I have welded. When I started puddle it bubbled up like a shook up soda! I tried manipulating the puddle to boil out contaminants, adding filler, ramp up and down amps, and still had porosity. So I ended up-  1: amping up quickly (dial at 250 amps, flat footed it)   2:  dip filler  3:  decrease amps to probably 20 or so, let puddle freeze  4:  move  5: repeat this four to six times then  6: go back to beginning, amp up to remelt filler and base mix  7: amp down to freeze- this seemed to deflate bubbles in puddle, I could watch puddle shrink!  8: move  9: repeat I preheated pan to 350 degrees, welded hot, post heat 350, slow coolSyncro 250, balance (tried up and down and didn't make difference) ended up on 5, 4043 filler If anyone has tried something different that works better please, please chime in!Thanks Peter Attached Images
Reply:nice job, but i think id slap the quy who did that lol
Reply:Thats another reason I watch my sons jacking the cars up and setting the jacks.I don't mind them making a mistake, just don't want anything too expensive toreupor worse someone hurt.That looks like a cool repair though, and I bet its alot cheaper then a new pan.
Reply:Broken ear on air compressor heat exchanger.Used same procedure as oil pan.Close up shows porosity in orig casting, geez this is ugly stuff! With stuff like this I do not expect to get pretty welds!I welded only, customer has machine shop and will finish.Peter Attached Images
Reply:ive got a cast to repair on monday. i like to weld things like this. its like a water pipe type thing for a golf course. should be fun.only thing worse than an ugly woman is an ugly weld
Reply:My best "cast repair was done on my 57' Ford tractor, I busted an ear off the water pump changing the thermostat.  A new pump housing cost $$$, so I got the JB Weld out and 5 years later its going strong.
Reply:Castweld:Thanks for the pics (worth a thousand words). Specially, first post, third pic (with the explanitory black lines).9-11-2001......We Will Never ForgetRetired desk jockey. Hobby weldor with a little training. Craftsman O/A---Flat, Vert, Ovhd, Horz. Miller Syncrowave 250
Reply:Originally Posted by Craig in DenverCastweld:Thanks for the pics (worth a thousand words). Specially, first post, third pic (with the explanitory black lines).
Reply:Nice repair. I am curious how much it cost the owner to weld it up. I run a repair shop and wouldn't even think of having a pan welded up. The cost of one new or used is not that significant. I am in no way trying to cause problems here. Just curious.Miller millermatic 251Miller aircrafter 330st, wp201961 Lincoln SA200Ellis 1600 bandsawLogan 820 latheSouth Bend 13"Bridgeport M Head
Reply:Originally Posted by imc188222Nice repair. I am curious how much it cost the owner to weld it up. I run a repair shop and wouldn't even think of having a pan welded up. The cost of one new or used is not that significant. I am in no way trying to cause problems here. Just curious.
Reply:Thanks for the info. The yards within 30 miles or so deliver to me so I would not be using up any time getting the part. I have seen used good 5.3 pans for comparable prices to what you charged. I would be glad to price a new one on monday if you wanted, I assume they are several hundred dollars. Once again, not trying to make waves just curious. thanksMiller millermatic 251Miller aircrafter 330st, wp201961 Lincoln SA200Ellis 1600 bandsawLogan 820 latheSouth Bend 13"Bridgeport M Head
Reply:$15 at pull-a-part.http://www.pullapart.com/Pricing/Mai...=16&#pricelistLincoln Promig 180
Reply:Originally Posted by willinthe985$15 at pull-a-part.http://www.pullapart.com/Pricing/Mai...=16&#pricelist
Reply:Originally Posted by castweldDamm thats cheap. But I noticed it just has "pan" in price no application. If I needed one they  would have 50 350 pans and not one 5.3- at any price I guess I'll tell future customers to call these people.Peter
Reply:what were your settings on your machine. when ever i have tried to weld cast it ended up cracking. did you have a special tig rod for it. might have just been tring on pot metal.If you like my stuff you can find me on Facebook.  https://www.facebook.com/theangryanv...ngryanvilforge
Reply:Man, what was the kid thinking ?  Being the son of a mechanic, that was the first thing I learned about jacking up a car - never ever EVER jack it up from the pan, becase the pan won't support the weight of the car.  Always use the frame or under the axles ........ (or for a VW Bug, just pick it up and put it on the stands ... :P )Nice repair job, good clean welds and pics.