Aluminum TIG welding wanted

**Goat Blower** · 10-15-2013

Can anyone here cleanly TIG in a missing chunk out of an aluminum transmission case? On the car? The piece missing is about 1"x1" and part of the mating surface of the fluid pan. Shoot me a PM with availability and price. Thanks.

**JET** · 10-15-2013

I seriously doubt that will work. For the thickness of a transmission housing you really should have it welded from both sides. I have no idea what the AC current would do to electronics either. Is it on the bottom or sides of the tranny?

**Goat Blower** · 10-16-2013

It's on the side, but also part of the mating surface for the tranny pan. My initial thought was having a chunk of brass on the back side to provide a surface to weld against and build it up from there. I hadn't thought of the electronics, with the battery unhooked, I can't imagine it would do anything, I've never had an issue with MIG.

93gtpeater · 10-16-2013

I have a spool gun...

BriK · 10-17-2013

Full Blown did some aluminum welding for me and may be worth a call. Good labor rates as well.

**JET** · 10-17-2013

Quote:

Originally Posted by Goat Blower

It's on the side, but also part of the mating surface for the tranny pan. My initial thought was having a chunk of brass on the back side to provide a surface to weld against and build it up from there. I hadn't thought of the electronics, with the battery unhooked, I can't imagine it would do anything, I've never had an issue with MIG.

Sounds like it could be possible, but it isn't going to be easy. Aluminum really likes to run so it is best to have it laying flat, especially on something thicker like a casting. A MIG is DC where the TIG is AC for aluminum and they are quite different. I wouldn't imagine it would cause an issue if you unplugged the ECU, but I would be a little leary.

If this is just a sealing piece and is not stressed, I would honestly try JB welding it. I have seen that stuff hold up to some amazing stress on some of my buddies' cars/mudders. I wouldn't try that if there is a bolt or dowel in the piece that is broken though. I would talk to John, he is probably the best welder on here now, but I don't know if he does much aluminum.

**Goat Blower** · 10-17-2013

I did try JBWeld as that's what's on there now, but it leaks and is starting to fall apart. I'll be selling this car and want to know that this repair will last the life of the car, so JBWeld just isn't a viable option, it was just so I could drive it around for a while. I'm bringing it to John this weekend for him to work his magic. Thanks for the tips.

b00sted_spyder · 10-17-2013

I know at Proven Force, we have mig welded a few transmission cases and they worked out good.