Welding on chopped head

[PutPut6]

I was wondering if steel could be welded onto a head. I've got a chopped log head that I want to weld an intake on. I have a MIG welder, but I've heard you can't weld cast iron. I'm not too knowledgeable on welding, just use it for little jobs here and there, so hopefully someone who actually knows what there doing can guide me in the right direction.

Andrew

 

[Inline6Merc]

Steal can be welded to cast iron. You can use nickel rod to do it or braze it. I'm not sure about a mig welder. When welding on to cast you should always heat the middle first and then weld. Since cast is prone to craking after welding take a ping hammer and tape around the welds, that will help from craking. Also when done welding let it cool in sand. You want the metal to cool on its own, so it wont crack.
Personaly I would braze it.

Later,

Curtis

 

[Ronn]

Thats excellent news, thanks! I was wondering if I should also braze my intake on, and well, you settled it. Weld mild steel flanges to the log, drill and tap holes, install studs, apply intake and gasket..carb...right foot.. something like that?

 

[66200i6]

Check out this web site. I know this has been mentioned in the past so do a search on this site for Muggy Weld.

http://www.muggyweld.com

Good luck, Ric.

 

[Ronn]

Holy cow they are expensive! 112 bucks for 7 rods! Man, you best be sure you know how to weld cause you sure don't want to have to buy that twice!!! lol


But if it's that good then, maybe. Has anyone reading this tried this product or have techniques similar or better?

BTW, what rod and what kind of torch to use if brazing cast iron? Propane? I have one of those but it will need a hotter flame. I feel ignorant as I am not a brazing pro, I can weld stick, mig and tig, but virtually no brazing. I feel I can do this cause tig welding is similar, but don't know what tools I need. help us!

 

[Anonymous]

If all you are doing is putting on the intake, I would braze it on. This process is much easier than welding on cast iron and the resuls will be just as good as long as the area brazed does not get too hot (as in 800-1000 degrees IIRC)

 

[Lazy JW]

You need something hotter than straight propane to braze with. Oxy-acetylene is probably best. Regular brazing rod with flux should do the trick. It really isn't very hard.
Joe

 

[rickwrench]

The muggy rod is expensive. It works great, as advertised. For anything other than exhaust work, though, I'd braze.
Rick(wrench)

 

[Ronn]

sounds good, thanks again. You guys are a big help for sure.