i got an old school 80's fuel injected magnesium intake manifold off a corvette race car thats set up as individual stacks. the coolant passages got corroded out and it needs to be repaired.
i know its a pretty dangerous material to heat up.
has anyone welded it? any tips?

 

It's not a far cry from aluminum. The arc has a green glow to it. It has to be very clean, and so does the filler rod. You need to know what kind of casting it is to fix it right. Should have some numbers on it like AM60 a or b, or amz91 with a few different letters, or just z91, etc.
The filler rod is expensive, but hopefully you have some. Don't take it out of the box/container until you are going to use it. It oxidizes real quick in the open and doesn't weld great after it happens.

 

whats the realistic danger of it catching on fire? what do i do in case that happens?

 

It doesn't catch on fire when you weld it!!!!
Small filings from a die grinder or grinding disc will though. Just make sure the area is clean of filings, and you are good to go.

 

ok cool i was under the impression this would be like playing with liquid gas, got me intimidated quite a bit lol.

 

Since im wondering about welding something like this, has anyone ever welded a regamaster or spoon wheel thats cracked? Friend has one that needs welding and dunno what rod would be best, seen somewhere its an aluminum/magnesium blend but who knows.

 

I would think that if the wheel is cracked it is too far gone especially around the lug holes or by the end of a spoke. The heat would make things worse. But I could be wrong

 

who said its a wheel?
part in question is an old school kinsler ITB intake manifold for a chevy big block.

 

He is talking about my post.



The crack is on the bead of the wheel, definitely not to far gone by any means. Ive welded multiple wheels in that area with success but havent welded a regamaster/spoon wheel before.

 

With your penchant for creating explosions, be sure to video tape it for posterity.

I'm sure you'll be fine.

 

Truth. It's crazy how fast it oxidizes.

 

LMAO!
for the record i've only had one explosion, it was miniature too

 

Dear Eugene,

Please don't go all cold war on yourself.

Thanks!

Ian

 

wear a respirator and prep it really good.

 

I was under the understanding they were just Aluminum. Its the "shot alumite" finishing process that gives them their unique color. Who has a set of regamasters?