does anyone know if cast metal is good for welding?

 

ah...no i dont think so, atleast not for arc or mig

 

nah not really.. not impossible but not good

 

well i have a 90 elbow that needs to be welded onto my oilpan....its cast....can it be done?

 

yes it's possible, if done carefully

 

Cast aluminum or cast iron?

Cast aluminum can be welded as is, but it won't be so great. If it is heated it welds better. Preferably between 300-400F. Once welded, it can be air cooled, or slowly cooled in an oven. Slowly cooling is better.

Cast iron needs to be almost melting to be welded... as in glowing red hot. After being welded, it must be cooled at a very slow rate, other wise it WILL crack.

Welding both, will affect the structural properties and will be more brittle around the weld.

 

not sure of specific metal type...i just know its cast...i got it from the plumbing section in lowes....lol....id imagine its not iron being thats the case

 

No!!!!!!

i am a welder and that is a no no

 

... wait a minute... you bought a plumbing fitting (which is cast iron), and want to weld it to the oil pan...

Why didn't you just tap it?

And someone jump in here... what is the oil pan made of?

 

lol yea i know its dumb as **** but owell....any ideas where i can get a good elbow...reason is is because im better off welding the fitting into the pan and if i do that i have no way of plugging it if i have to take the turbo off

 

Well... most hydraulic retailer can get you NPT to JIC (AN), which should get let you hook on to your oil line.
Otherwise, automotive retailers like Summit can get you a similar fitting.

You will have to tap the oil pan to what ever NPT size the adapter is. (usually 1/2" NPT)

This way, if you take the turbo off, all you need is a JIC cap.

 

I welded a cast aluminium elbow for a power steering pump on a prelude. Its been on the car and running with fluid going thru it without leaking for 4 months so far. I don't know how strong the weld is. and it was full of porosity because i couldnt clean all the fluid off perfectly. A little copper RTV gasket seems to have turned the trick. Still have a new one comming from Honda on back order atm. Just in case. But it seems like it "CAN" be done.

 

I dont recommend welding this fitting. just get a threaded fitting and tap your oil pan I wouldn't risk having this elbow break off while running down the road.