Thomas, you can perhaps try one of these Alumiweld brazing rods:
https://www.harborfreight.com/8-piec...ods-44810.html
You'll have to remove the pipe first though. There are other videos about people brazing holes/cracks in aluminum radiators.
Thomas, you can perhaps try one of these Alumiweld brazing rods:
https://www.harborfreight.com/8-piec...ods-44810.html
You'll have to remove the pipe first though. There are other videos about people brazing holes/cracks in aluminum radiators.
Dana
1981 DeLorean DMC-12 (5 Speed, Gas Flap, Black Interior, Windshield Antenna, Dark Gray)
Restored as "mostly correct, but with flaws corrected". Pictures and comments of my restoration are in the albums section on my profile.
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It is really tough welding old, dirty aluminum. It's worth trying but don't be disappointed if it doesn't work. That technique takes a lot of practice, too much heat and you wind up with a puddle of aluminum and there is a very narrow temperature range where you can weld it and where it just melts away from you and you don't get the cues you do from welding steel.
David Teitelbaum
Yeah, but these rods are low temperature brazing type, so it is best to use the micro torch as shown in the video, rather than a full throttle full size torch. Start with a low flame and then work your way up until you get the rod to melt. It is a similar principle to soldering.
Definitely, as with most other things, it is best to first clean the area you want to repair.
I look at it this way: The pipe is already useless. A $15 trial repair may make it usable again, or worse case, you are out $15 and have experience in aluminum brazing.
I saw vendors way back promoting the product at a car show actually poking/melting holes in these thin aluminum cans and then brazing them shut. I was impressed.
Last edited by DMC-81; 04-19-2019 at 09:44 PM.
Dana
1981 DeLorean DMC-12 (5 Speed, Gas Flap, Black Interior, Windshield Antenna, Dark Gray)
Restored as "mostly correct, but with flaws corrected". Pictures and comments of my restoration are in the albums section on my profile.
1985 Chevrolet Corvette, Z51, 4+3 manual
2006 Dodge Magnum R/T (D/D)
2010 Camaro SS (Transformers Edition)
Ahh, yeah that one is a bit more of a pain.
I think you could cut that section out, clean up the insides/outsides of the pipes, and have a section TIG'd in place for less than a new pipe (plus shipping). I believe I still have some spare pieces of stock coolant pipe and could send you a chunk if needed.
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Can an aluminum pipe like this be welded? Or am I looking at buying a new one?
T.
Yes, the aluminum pipe can be welded. In fact, I have had a number of them welded together to eliminate all the little rubber hoses. I did this for the IronMan Delorean project.
Bob