Can this be TIG welded?

[BenzBoy]

I've got a broken float pivot bracket on one of my carbs, is it possible to TIG weld cast aluminium? Or maybe braze it?



The brown stuff is the remains of some Araldite epoxy I tried. It turns out Araldite isn't fuel proof, even though they say it is. It turned to slimy mush.

The only permanent fix I can think of is to weld it, but I'm not familiar with welding alloys.

If it is possible, is there anyone out there in RR land who could do it?

[lizardking]

I'd say no mate to small an area and too much heat,somebody who is more experienced may well prove me wrong though

[BenzBoy]

Yeah I can imagine that little peg soaking up loads of heat and melting.
I can't think of any other permanent repair. PhilA suggested drilling and driving in a rollpin, but I don't know if it would hold up permanently - I couldn't use any sort of adhesive as it'd just degrade. I'd always be wondering if the peg had moved and messed up the float level or something.

[captainmatt]

Does the little peg thing come off? If so is there a chance of making an entirely new piece?

[BenzBoy]

Yeah the peg comes off, the pivot pin slides out to get the floats out. I don't know how making a new one would help though, as it'd still need to be fixed to the main carb body. Unless you were thinking that if the TIG did melt the peg I'd have a spare?

[ruishy1]

an experienced welder could repair that, my old lecturer could weld metal that was nearly as thin as tin foil !

[trevorbrady]

is there enough "meat" on the carb body and the peg to drill and tap both of them? If so, you could set up a little L-shaped angle bracket to either reattach the peg or to do away with the peg completely and make the bracket to support the little shaft the float works off.

more than one way of skinning that particular cat

[BenzBoy]

Hmm, good thinking - there's possibly 5 or 6mm of meat before I'd break through into the choke. A steel L-shaped bracket secured with a setscrew could be an option.

[alecw35]

what about making the L shaped bracket. Then filing down the gasket face of the float bowl, at a nearby screwhole. So the bracket sits flush with the gasket. Would need some sealant. shouldnt be too dificult tho

[B-8-D]

it can be welded if its aluminium but ti may be a mazac or pot metal casting or basically a easy castable alloy with things like lead zinc tin copper etc in it in which case it can be tricky..

i can give it a go but is it really worth it when a new strongberg (it looks like one from the pics) is easy enough to find.. or you could try some lumiweld etc..?

but best/easiest solution has been mentioned drill tap make "L" shaped plate with hole and screw on....

si

[PhilA]

Benzboy- whereabouts are you? Because I know somewheres in Gloucester area who I'd trust to TIG that, if he's still working at the place (I can't forsee them firing him, he worked too well), he used to TIG weld 0.8mm ally sheet together for us.

--Phil

[BenzBoy]

Thanks a lot guys, I had a bit of a think and decided to make a bracket and screw it together...



Should hold up OK, and I'll be on the lookout for another set in the mean time, if I don't decide to do a whole engine swap before then! ;D

[purplevanman]

Looks like a good repair, well done that man