The Ford Barn

arnhemmer · 03-19-2024, 02:41 PM

I have to repair the timing gear cover on my 1930 Tudor (plugging a hole).Is the metal cast iron or forged steel? This will help me to decide if I should TIG weld it or braze it.

Bruce of MN · 03-19-2024, 02:52 PM

The texture looks like cast iron to me.

Joe K · 03-19-2024, 03:23 PM

It would be cast iron.

Welding/Brazing might make an issue with "warpage."

You might "flatten" it after the fact with sandpaper glued to a tablesaw table.

JB weld might be a better fix but you have to "grind" the surface to make a place for the epoxy to "grab hold."

Actually I've seen a perfectly good cover on Ebay for $8. I bought it because I saw it was actually a "Model B" cover which I wanted for use with a Gordon-Smith Air Compressor conversion - which uses a Model B centrifugal distributor to match the "load-no load" condition of a compressor engine. (cover/timing pin and Model B distributor have to be used as a pair to allow "normal" engine timing.)

Ebay: $14.88 plus ship best price currently.

To tell the differences between covers, see Vince Falter's page on the covers. The page doesn't seem available at this moment - perhaps Vince is working on the site?
www.fordgarage.com

Joe K

arnhemmer · 03-19-2024, 04:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bruce of MN

The texture looks like cast iron to me.

That's what I was thinking. I'll try the JB weld first to see how that works out. Thanks for the reply.

arnhemmer · 03-19-2024, 04:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Joe K

It would be cast iron.

Welding/Brazing might make an issue with "warpage."

You might "flatten" it after the fact with sandpaper glued to a tablesaw table.

JB weld might be a better fix but you have to "grind" the surface to make a place for the epoxy to "grab hold."

Actually I've seen a perfectly good cover on Ebay for $8. I bought it because I saw it was actually a "Model B" cover which I wanted for use with a Gordon-Smith Air Compressor conversion - which uses a Model B centrifugal distributor to match the "load-no load" condition of a compressor engine. (cover/timing pin and Model B distributor have to be used as a pair to allow "normal" engine timing.)

Ebay: $14.88 plus ship best price currently.

To tell the differences between covers, see Vince Falter's page on the covers. The page doesn't seem available at this moment - perhaps Vince is working on the site?
www.fordgarage.com

Joe K

.
I'll be using JB weld. Thanks for the reply Joe

Gene F · 03-19-2024, 04:58 PM

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How did it crack...and there is a spring assembly that rides on that thing. Maybe you should try to find another one. Are you sure you want to try to fix that one?

Joe K · 03-19-2024, 05:22 PM

The small differences between covers are shown at https://www.fordgarage.com/pages/timingcovers.htm

Joe K

Charlie Stephens · 03-19-2024, 06:55 PM

I would think it would be easier to find another one. Temporarily thread the hole (maybe enlarge it) and put a bolt/plug in.

Charlie Stephens

Joe K · 03-19-2024, 07:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Charlie Stephens

I would think it would be easier to find another one. Temporarily thread the hole (maybe enlarge it) and put a bolt/plug in.

Charlie Stephens

Or leave the threaded hole with a threaded "plug" - so the next generation can query their board "does anyone know why this threaded plug was used at this location?"

Joe K

arnhemmer · 03-19-2024, 08:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gene F

How did it crack...and there is a spring assembly that rides on that thing. Maybe you should try to find another one. Are you sure you want to try to fix that one?

Someone before me drilled and tapped the center of the cover and used a screw to keep the aluminum gear from knocking. It worked fine untill the thread stripped. One of the club members had a cover, so picked it up and I replaced the plunger spring and all is good. Thanks everyone for the replies.

CT Jack · 03-20-2024, 08:17 AM

Go get another cover. Don't waste your time welding, brazing, or yuck puckying with JB Weld. These are all band aids.

brito36 · 03-20-2024, 04:23 PM

Just get another cover. they are plentiful and don't usually cost much. Save you some work.

03-19-2024, 02:41 PM	#1
arnhemmer Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: San Jose California Posts: 150	Timing gear cover I have to repair the timing gear cover on my 1930 Tudor (plugging a hole).Is the metal cast iron or forged steel? This will help me to decide if I should TIG weld it or braze it.

03-19-2024, 02:52 PM	#2
Bruce of MN Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: VA Posts: 1,410	Re: Timing gear cover The texture looks like cast iron to me.

03-19-2024, 03:23 PM	#3
Joe K Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Cow Hampshire Posts: 4,188	Re: Timing gear cover It would be cast iron. Welding/Brazing might make an issue with "warpage." You might "flatten" it after the fact with sandpaper glued to a tablesaw table. JB weld might be a better fix but you have to "grind" the surface to make a place for the epoxy to "grab hold." Actually I've seen a perfectly good cover on Ebay for $8. I bought it because I saw it was actually a "Model B" cover which I wanted for use with a Gordon-Smith Air Compressor conversion - which uses a Model B centrifugal distributor to match the "load-no load" condition of a compressor engine. (cover/timing pin and Model B distributor have to be used as a pair to allow "normal" engine timing.) Ebay: $14.88 plus ship best price currently. To tell the differences between covers, see Vince Falter's page on the covers. The page doesn't seem available at this moment - perhaps Vince is working on the site? www.fordgarage.com Joe K __________________ Shudda kept the horse. Last edited by Joe K; 03-19-2024 at 03:31 PM.

03-19-2024, 04:58 PM	#6
Gene F Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Ohio Posts: 1,973	Re: Timing gear cover Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) How did it crack...and there is a spring assembly that rides on that thing. Maybe you should try to find another one. Are you sure you want to try to fix that one?

03-19-2024, 05:22 PM	#7
Joe K Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Cow Hampshire Posts: 4,188	Re: Timing gear cover The small differences between covers are shown at https://www.fordgarage.com/pages/timingcovers.htm Joe K __________________ Shudda kept the horse.

03-19-2024, 06:55 PM	#8
Charlie Stephens Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Southern California Posts: 7,033	Re: Timing gear cover I would think it would be easier to find another one. Temporarily thread the hole (maybe enlarge it) and put a bolt/plug in. Charlie Stephens

03-20-2024, 08:17 AM	#11
CT Jack Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Hebron, CT Posts: 432	Re: Timing gear cover Go get another cover. Don't waste your time welding, brazing, or yuck puckying with JB Weld. These are all band aids.

03-20-2024, 04:23 PM	#12
brito36 Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Marengo. Illinois Posts: 262	Re: Timing gear cover Just get another cover. they are plentiful and don't usually cost much. Save you some work.