Can this be welded?
 

This is the flange that mounts the fuel pump on my Avatar '32.. At some point someone over tightened the nut and cracked the flange on one side. The crack does not go all the way through but it has rendered the bottom of the flange a little cupped. Some JB weld was slopped on to help secure it. Now it's time to have the fuel pump rebuilt as it's leaking. As long as it's apart looking to clean this up and make it right. I know nothing about welding what appears to be cast aluminum, or if it's even possible. If there's someone recommended near me in Wa State to rebuild this I'm open to suggestions.
Thanks, Tom

Re: Can this be welded?
 

she's a gonner

Re: Can this be welded?
 

Just about anything can be welded but some things take a knowledge and skill level that is not easy to conjure up. It may be easier to find another part.

Re: Can this be welded?
 

Causality of not putting all the elements together correctly and over torquing. The gasket goes on first, then the oil engine baffle, then the pump.

Re: Can this be welded?
 

Yes, a good welder can Tig that up no worries, however, probably easier to find another one.

Re: Can this be welded?
 

The fuel pump started leaking last year (gasket failure). When I took the assembly off there was a gasket but no "oil engine baffle" in that location. The engine was rebuilt in 1972 and has been driven regularly since. Can someone supply info on the baffle? This is the first problem in nearly 50 years this car was put back on the road. There's never been an oil leak at the flange even though it has been cracked and is a bit cupped due to the over torquing. It is a '33 engine.

Re: Can this be welded?
 

No engine side oil baffle on a 33 or 34 they were used 35 and after. If you look inside the oil fill pipe you will find the baffles for your car. I would look around and find another good fuel pump adaptor for the 33-34.

Re: Can this be welded?
 

The fuel pump stand and tube you show is 1934. In that oil fill tube are the baffles.I don't believe that there was a baffle under the fuel pump stand was in the 34 engine.

Re: Can this be welded?
 

Yes, that can be welded.

Re: Can this be welded?
 

I agree with #9 and others, it can be welded but the welder must be skilled.

Re: Can this be welded?
 

Agree with #9 & #10, you need to find a good tig welder, the "old" aluminum not only is more porous but will more than likely leach contaminants so you need someone who knows how to deal it, grind out the crack will help before welding.

Re: Can this be welded?
 

If it's aluminum it can be TIG welded. The problem is like others have pointed out aluminum is porous and has been absorbing oil and gas for 70 years. I welded a '32 Ford aluminum oil pan and every time I started to get a puddle the contaminants literally bubbled to the surface. The owner took the pan to some aircraft facility that had a hot, vapor degreaser and even with that I still got contamination.

Re: Can this be welded?
 

Tom, oil soaked aluminum is no fun to try to TIG weld. Ask anyone who has welded up (or tried) a 32 aluminum pan. I have extras of those so don't bother getting it welded. I also have ethanol proof diaphrams for your pump. Maybe bring the pump by sometime and we can rebuild the pump and you can pick up the stand too.

Re: Can this be welded?
 

Tom, get together with Mike and your problem is solved.

Re: Can this be welded?
 

I still gas weld aluminum but I would bolt it up to a jig or a manifold before the attempt. Gas welding is more of a brazzing process but without the brass. Filler rod & flux is available through multiple sources but there are different melting points for different alloys. This is where it is important to know the process and some of the metallurgy of it. Cast is full of all sorts of crap that can pollute the weldment so the type of alloy is not as critical as other aluminum materials. Using a flux with the filler can help with it but every different part is a new challenge. No telling what was in the mix back in the early 1930s.

Re: Can this be welded?
 

Of coarse it could be welded, but as others have stated the contamination would drive you nuts, and not produce a nice looking weld etc. As I first stated, she's a gonner, just get another and be done

Re: Can this be welded?
 

How long has the JBWeld held up so far? Jack E/NJ

Re: Can this be welded?
 

Thanks all for the replies. Mike, I'll be in touch. It's obvious that it needs to be replaced and the old one is destined to be part of a coat rack. Jack E/NJ it is unknown how long ago the JB weld was applied but I can tell you the ear of the flange is very solid.

Re: Can this be welded?
 

Yes, my mistake. Thank you for the correction.

Re: Can this be welded?
 

I have straightend bent ones. I think they are zink. Tough to weld.