I have a B18C1 and finally got a TIG welder (Syncrowave 250). Among other things, I want to weld a couple bungs on my valve cover, repair a block where the motor mount broke, maybe fix a friend's K series head, etc.

Anyway, I just want to know what alloy Honda uses. I read that they used junky aluminum that doesn't weld very well. This has me thinking it's either dirty or an Al/Mg alloy, but who knows? I think I read that someone used 4043 wire. I have a D series head I can practice on, but finding the right filler from the start will help.

Also, how would you tell what alloy any aluminum is? I think 6061 is pretty common, but that's about it. Is there any kind of chemical or mechanical test you can do easily...like in the garage with stuff you can get easily enough?

 

It only welds bad because it's been soaked in oil for years.

 

^^^^

Agreed, after good prep I've never had any issues welding any Honda alluminum parts. Always used 4043 filler.

 

Get some acid/cleaner from your welding store. Let it soak for about a minute then rinse, dry, preheat and weld.

 

preheat is key when using chemicals. you don't want that **** turning into fumes under your nose. personally, i just grind with a die grinder the area i'm going to weld. i prefer 5356 filler for all my aluminum.

 

Hi..

Welded hundreds of valve covers/gearbox covers.. It's bottom of the barrel aluminum mostly.

Grind/die grind the area, clean with acetone and weld.. I dont pre heat much stuff unless it is solid.

We do alot of cast alloy intercooler tanks for big trucks and oil coolers, Some are pressure tested to 40psi through to 180psi for oil coolers..

We have a chemical we import from the states called "Turbo Clean" that pushes all the crap out of the alloy before we weld, It does dull the surface, though

 

for best result apply some landOlakes butter to attain the golden brown finish your looking for.