anyone know what the rear spare tire carrier is made of?
 

Found two small cracks after sandblasting and want to TIG weld them up. Not sure if its cast iron or steel....I'm guessing the latter, but makes a difference on what filler/technique I need :D

why are the repops aluminum :confused:

Re: anyone know what the rear spare tire carrier is made of?
 

I'm guessing steel too. With your pocket knife, peel a sliver off the carrier. If it comes off as small chips it is cast iron, if it comes off as a sliver it is steel.

Re: anyone know what the rear spare tire carrier is made of?
 

malleable iron will sliver too...don't know if they had that kind of iron back then though. I did some digging and I think I'm going to hit an edge with my tig and try filing the weld spot...apparently if it gets super hard its iron.

Re: anyone know what the rear spare tire carrier is made of?
 

Can ya run a bead in the inside to see how it goes?

Re: anyone know what the rear spare tire carrier is made of?
 

You need to post a photo...please.
The first ones were Steele ( that were 3 piece), then came the Cast Iron.

Re: anyone know what the rear spare tire carrier is made of?
 

Have you checked for a replacement original part? Bert's has many original parts. 800-321-1931

Re: anyone know what the rear spare tire carrier is made of?
 

Re: anyone know what the rear spare tire carrier is made of?
 

I believe they are cast steel. I have mig welded them with good success. Yes, there are replacements out there. Make sure whatever you put on they are not bent. Makes the spare angle not too pretty otherwise.
Larry

Re: anyone know what the rear spare tire carrier is made of?
 

worth my time to try fixing for sanity....gotta save $$$ where I can LOL

Re: anyone know what the rear spare tire carrier is made of?
 

I believe I have one for a sedan, little crusty but in good shape otherwise

Re: anyone know what the rear spare tire carrier is made of?
 

It tests as cast iron....melted a puddle on the back edge, area is now hard as diamond....file has zero bite.

pic attached - note crack at top right of bracket...

so I drilled 1/8" holes at each end of the crack, heated the area around the crack with my oxy torch, tig welded the cracked area with 309L filler a little at a time (peening with an air chisel with blunt pointed bit after each weld section) then dropped in a bucket full of vermiculite I had laying around to slowly cool....we'll see LOL

Re: anyone know what the rear spare tire carrier is made of?
 

Check next to the weld to see if it's hard(brittle)...there is a chance.
I use "NI-99" too TIG cast iron...works good !

Re: anyone know what the rear spare tire carrier is made of?
 

krzewinskibe,
I like your approach to the hobby. Using your skills to fix the old stuff rather than replacing. Good on you! :cool:

Re: anyone know what the rear spare tire carrier is made of?
 

wouldve preferred NI-99, but at the price they want for it...uhhhhh...

alot of good reports using 309L and I had that laying around the shop :D

Re: anyone know what the rear spare tire carrier is made of?
 

thanks....way I figure....my time is "free"

Re: anyone know what the rear spare tire carrier is made of?
 

Beyond free...it's entertainment. ;)

Re: anyone know what the rear spare tire carrier is made of?
 

The top of the carrier on my ´30 roadster was broken clean off back in the ´70´s and was repaired by brazing. The welder must have done a good job because itś held up this long!