Welding on the oil pan?? Help please
Welding on the oil pan?? Help please So I was getting my GTO LS1 ready for install and I found this.
Can it be welded?
If not, can it be "patched"? I have access to industrial strength bonding supplies. Ceramic and Carbon.
I'd like to keep from having to buy another pan, but all advice is appreciated!
Can it be welded?
If not, can it be "patched"? I have access to industrial strength bonding supplies. Ceramic and Carbon.
I'd like to keep from having to buy another pan, but all advice is appreciated!
Trending Topics
LS1 Tech Stories
The Best V8 Stories One Small Block at Time
6 Common C5 Corvette Failures and What's Involved In Repairing Them
Pouria Savadkouei
Retro Modern Bandit Pontiac Trans AM Comes With Burt Reynolds' Autograph
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Greatest Cadillac V Series Performance Models Ever, Ranked
Pouria Savadkouei
Top 10 Most Powerful Chevy Trucks Ever Made!
Hennessey's New Supercharged Silverado ZR2 Has 700 HP
Verdad Gallardo
Coachbuilt N2A Anteros Is an LS2-Powered C6 Corvette In Italian Clothes
Verdad Gallardo
Awesome K5 Blazer Restomod Comes With C7 Corvette Power
Verdad Gallardo
10 Camaros You Should Never Buy
10 LS Engine Myths That Refuse to Die
Verdad Gallardo
I had a machinist at my work weld up a large hole someone tapped for a turbo oil drain in one of my pans. I honestly could barely tell where it was after he was done. But then again he's a master at teh tig.
Originally Posted by CTSmechanic
Thats going to weld like $hit crappy aluminum and been soaked in oil.... buy a new pan
if you dont clean it well, you can never expect a good weld... yes, oil is soaked into the pores of the metal.... but it is possible to get it perfectly clean before you weld.
That can be fixed. About a month ago I put my jack through my oil pan, and had a welder at a local place fab this up for me 
.
Haven't had any problems with it. I know he drilled small holes where cracks might have extended out beyond the plate.
.Haven't had any problems with it. I know he drilled small holes where cracks might have extended out beyond the plate.
the trick is to clean it really good, put it in a dish washer (as one of the other guys here on the forum recommends)..
Pre Heat the whole pan and clamp it to the table to keep it from getting out of shape from the heat..(should be to bad with that small of a patch).
Pre Heat the whole pan and clamp it to the table to keep it from getting out of shape from the heat..(should be to bad with that small of a patch).
my oil pan got punctured by a rock.. I had the pan welded and covered with a patch. But i still went ahead and bought a new oil pan. Id rather pay the $260 on the oil pan v. alot more with fubar'd engine.
Teching In
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 32
Likes: 0
From: Cape Town
As has been said, it will be easy to weld this if it is PROPERLY cleaned first. Putting it in a hot tank or dishwasher is the best way to do this, to drive the oil out of the pores in the alloy. Get someone who welds a lot of ally to do it.
I have had the best luck welding cast aluminum by using a flap wheel or emory wheel and grinding off the top 1/16" or so of material. Usually that is enough to get past the seepage. If it is a small patch, just preheat with a benzomatic and dont use MAPP gas, or oxy/acet, they are both hotter than you need. You do not need to clamp it down, the heat "should" not be widespread enough to effect overall shape if concentrated right and you get in, get done, and get out.
Launching!
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 297
Likes: 0
From: Tucson
I agree with pitbull,
but hey any local shop should only charge 50 or 60 bucks
about an hours worth. I you dont have a tig. save the 300
it will cost for a new pan. I would have the shop put a piece of .375 6061 as a patch an then drill and tap 3/8 npt into the patch. put yourself a pipe plug in the hole. guess what if you ever go turbo you have an retun to the pan hole without having to drop your pan. do it will you have the chance it will not hurt ir cost any thing since you have the pan off. as far as cleaning the pan, if you do it it will save the shop time wich saves you money.
but hey any local shop should only charge 50 or 60 bucks
about an hours worth. I you dont have a tig. save the 300
it will cost for a new pan. I would have the shop put a piece of .375 6061 as a patch an then drill and tap 3/8 npt into the patch. put yourself a pipe plug in the hole. guess what if you ever go turbo you have an retun to the pan hole without having to drop your pan. do it will you have the chance it will not hurt ir cost any thing since you have the pan off. as far as cleaning the pan, if you do it it will save the shop time wich saves you money.
Banned
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 326
Likes: 0
From: North Bay, CA
If your weld guy has any experience at all he will know how to prep the area and it should turn out just fine - we don't buy new pans when installing oil temp or S/C fittings. Wash it like was said above, you can put the torch to that area to draw the oil out of the material, and any good welder knows how to deal with crappy material or even good metal that has been weathered and is porous. I consider myself to be just a mediocre welder and that would be an easy job.
LOL @ the Diamond Plate patch
LOL @ the Diamond Plate patch