1940 Ford Dlx Grill. Weld Technique and Metallurgical Content info.

[oz40]

I have a 40 Dlx Grill, cast centre section, that is cracked half way down. Problem is here in Australia, grills are hard to come by and not many old school welders left that can weld the Die Cast Zinc Alloy.
There was a old guy down Brisbane area but has recently had a heart attack and unfortunately out of the picture.


So what I am asking is.
* What weld techique is used?
* What filler rod or one use old section of an original grill as filler rod?
* My welder says we can use some newer filler rod? yes or no!
* What is the metallurgical content of the Die Cast Zinc Alloy in these grills? if I was to go with some new technology to weld up.


Appreciate comment from the gurus here...

[Bruce_MO]

You might want to consider Muggy Weld. There are a number of YouTube videos about it. Good luck

[Vics Stuff]

The problem with die cast zink is that the material is nothing but a lot of crap material melted together , then pored in a mold. To weld that stuff probably is not going to happen. I have tried several times over the last 40 years and I am a welder by trade .
You may be able to melt some zink filler rod on the back side to try and hold it together but most likely only going to damage the part.
Vic

[tubman]

I have found that whether something like Muggy Weld will work is dependant on how closely the alloy of the rod matches the alloy of the part being repaired, which is a crap shoot at best. If you try something, and it doesn't seem to work, quit and move on to another maker's rod. I got lucky doing this repairing a broken Corvette headlight bezel.

[Newc]

Low temp solder type of repairs were common before the repros. Some Austrailans come to Portland Swap and they have a shipping agent in Ca. Manage to get their parts home some how. Newc

[John Gibson]

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Bob Drake has the three pieces, left, right & center online for around $1,400. Perhaps he would sell just the center piece. One never knows until you ask!
jg

[30Murray]

If you have a mig or tig welder try silicon bronze wire, it contains zinc so may work. You will need 100% argon. I have used it to repair cast iron with my mig, but it wasn't a highly stressed part.