Best Rod To Use For Aluminum Blocks

Best Welding Rod To Use For Aluminum Blocks

Years ago I did some research by calling around to race engine shops, welding rod manufactures etc! to find what was the best alloy to use for repair of 356 T6 cast aluminum race blocks & found out the best alloy to use was 4181
A friend called Brad Anderson Enterprises last week and they told him the best alloy to use was 5183. I haven't been able to find much info on the 5183 rod, anyone here have any info or experience with this rod?
Thanks in advance for the help.

 

Hey Bob I just finished welding up my block today..and it welded fantastic I will look at the number on the rod I was using and post tomorrow. also make sure you use 1/8 tungsten and run your machine around 200 to 220 amps I use a miller syncro 250 wet torch it's a pretty big welder..wish you lived close I would be happy to weld it up for you, when mine let go it took the pan rail out on one side and on the other side it also took the pan rail and the oil rail out..BIG BLOW UP...Talk to you tomorrow Dave

 

Thanks Dave, appreciate your responce. We have always repaired our own blocks and blocks for others, trying to find out which is the best alloy rod to use.

 

Bob, I looked up welding 356-T6 at the Miller Motorpsorts site. Guys there were calling the 356 T6 blocks as just barely better than cast plastic. Now I have a billet block- it isn't broke- yet but what do you weld them with? Thanks, Dave Germain

 

Dave,...

how dare you say ,..YET....
shame on you.

Where is your confidence....

Vic

 

Dave,
When I did my research, I talked to United States Welding Corp. 1-800-423-5964 they told me the best rod to use for cast alum. was 4181 and 4043 for the forged blocks, now I found on Lincoln's welding site that 4043 or 5183 is the alloy to use with the forged/billet blocks. The 4043 welds nice on cast or forged blocks but it is to soft to use for welding up stripped threads.

 

Bob; we just finished welding a fixture here that weighed about 100 lbs. The base was 2"- 12"x20", side gussets were 1.5" thick.
We used our experience of block welding by using 100% Helium and DC welded it. Amazing penitration with 4043.
But if you are looking for pretty welds, this ain't it.

Bob

 

4043 is the rod to use: more tin in it keeps the shrink down which causes cracking and stress leaks. Best welder I've found is the Fronius: with the water cooler under it unit stands 18 high by 8 wide by 22 deep and whole thing weighs in at 58 pounds with coolant. Draws 1/3 the current of a Lincoln or Miller and does a much nicer job, both in penetration and weld stability. Built in high frequency is really nice, (even on dc with steel).

 

bob i was using 4043