:::RHMT::: Real Home Made Turbo

General Category => General Discussion => Topic started by: AbaZ on October 26, 2009, 07:58:29 PM

Title: To weld or not to weld...
Post by: AbaZ on October 26, 2009, 07:58:29 PM
That is the question,

I have a cast aluminum piston that has a indentation in it about 3mm deep and about as round as the small end of a valve. So heres the question, Should it be welded? can it be.. and how long will it last?

The first thing  you are going to say is.. fuck just buy a piston, but when dealing with buying/selling cars an extra 45 bucks for a piston and the 30 mins to press it out when your overbudget isnt going to work.

So how about just whizzing the top with a rolac and calling it good? Well that is what I normally do, however a couple cars ago that I sold came back with a dead cyl #1. I looked down the hole and that small 3mm indentation had burnt all the way through. So what I do now is pull every piston and check the bottom sides of the pistons to see if there is any cracks/marking.

(https://realhomemadeturbo.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.realhomemadeturbo.com%2F2009%2Fmisc%2Fpiston.jpg&hash=8a6e564441909e4e8cfa040b7abce55e2ec25cef)

this is the piston, bad pic. I buy lots of 03-05 Kia Rio's with blown up tbelts and try to scrap them back together.

Any input would be appricated.
Title: Re: To weld or not to weld...
Post by: malichite on October 26, 2009, 08:33:48 PM
JB Weld
Title: Re: To weld or not to weld...
Post by: patsmx5 on October 26, 2009, 08:41:28 PM
I'm no expert, but if you do weld it, I would get it clean clean clean where it's going to be welded, and bake it in an oven to get it preheated well before welding it.
Title: Re: To weld or not to weld...
Post by: 1991civicsi on October 26, 2009, 08:41:47 PM
Welding it would be true to the nature of this website
Title: Re: To weld or not to weld...
Post by: dvst8r on October 26, 2009, 08:51:54 PM
I would weld it.  O0
Title: Re: To weld or not to weld...
Post by: Urban Indian on October 26, 2009, 08:59:43 PM
i want to see it welded



any tips Passenger?
Title: Re: To weld or not to weld...
Post by: bluerex on October 26, 2009, 09:15:18 PM


So how about just whizzing the top with a rolac and calling it good?
Ive done this a couple times on dsm failures with no issues.

Sold AS IS  ;)
Title: Re: To weld or not to weld...
Post by: Conceptz-X on October 26, 2009, 09:17:26 PM
deburr and run the bitch!
Title: Re: To weld or not to weld...
Post by: weirtech on October 26, 2009, 09:42:35 PM
my question is: how long does it have to last?  that should determine your answer jeff.  if it is going in a car you intend to keep for a while, i'd replace it with a new one.  if it is going in a motor you intend to beat the piss out of until it grenades, then weld it.
Title: Re: To weld or not to weld...
Post by: AbaZ on October 26, 2009, 09:50:37 PM
ok Beau just welded it, and complete failure. it distorted all to shit, the wrist pin is jacked.

ok next time I'm tapping it out. I like that idea.

Title: Re: To weld or not to weld...
Post by: Conceptz-X on October 26, 2009, 09:53:06 PM
it was what, 1cc?  it would have hurt nothing to run it
Title: Re: To weld or not to weld...
Post by: Joseph Davis on October 26, 2009, 09:58:53 PM

ok next time I'm tapping it out. I like that idea.



+1

Sometimes c0mpl3x says something really good.
Title: Re: To weld or not to weld...
Post by: AbaZ on October 26, 2009, 10:59:33 PM
it was what, 1cc?  it would have hurt nothing to run it

Well no shit, its not the big burr that I'm worried about, its the underside of the piston when this happens. small chunks come off and make it thin. Then if you run it, just from combustion inside the cylinder it burns right through that hole.

I'm down for trying the tap/trick, what should I seal the threads with? JB weld  8)
Title: Re: To weld or not to weld...
Post by: 88dx on October 26, 2009, 11:07:16 PM
How many of these cars do you buy/sell  ???
Title: Re: To weld or not to weld...
Post by: patsmx5 on October 26, 2009, 11:12:40 PM
I'd use a 1/4" pipe tap probably, 1/4" pipe plug, seal it with some JB, and grind it down flush. In for pics.
Title: Re: To weld or not to weld...
Post by: AbaZ on October 26, 2009, 11:13:47 PM
How many of these cars do you buy/sell  ???

5 this year..

like I said my piston is fucked I gotta buy one. I tried fitting some a6 pistons in, little sloppy.

Title: Re: To weld or not to weld...
Post by: snm95ls on October 26, 2009, 11:15:20 PM
How many of these cars do you buy/sell  ???

5 this year..

like I said my piston is fucked I gotta buy one. I tried fitting some a6 pistons in, little sloppy.



Awesome!

 :D
Title: Re: To weld or not to weld...
Post by: Teg2boo on October 26, 2009, 11:34:39 PM
JB weld is only good with temp < 500F tho  :-\
Title: Re: To weld or not to weld...
Post by: HiProfile on October 27, 2009, 12:04:18 AM
And aluminum melts at the 1200F. Doesn't mean that the piston actually gets to those EGT temps. You've got 250F crankcase temps on the other side, as well as windage oil cooling it down, and the heat soaked up by the skirt/sleeve. If nothing else, it would be for plugging the gaps in the threads. If 2/3 of it melts, it still holds. You'll obviously want to use an aluminum plug. Just be careful with the sharp edges, since the threads alone are enough of a stress riser for cracks to form at.

This reminds me of some mag article I saw posted a year ago, and it was old itself ('99?). I think it was a Miata owner wanting mroe compression for racing, and he epoxied COINS (jb or devcon) in each piston dish. Didn't get detonation, just more power. IIRC it was a road-race class where you had to use all stock engine parts, and the rules didn't say you couldn't mod stock pistons. Supposedly they won half the races that season, before anyone found out - and let them keep the wins.

Cliffs: jb weld some big coin over the hole, get more power, call it a day. :noel:



btw found the link!! http://www.boostedmiata.com/technical/AC_05518.pdf (http://www.boostedmiata.com/technical/AC_05518.pdf)
Title: Re: To weld or not to weld...
Post by: Conceptz-X on October 27, 2009, 12:11:27 AM
I figured you were dumping it without recourse
Title: Re: To weld or not to weld...
Post by: keelay on October 27, 2009, 09:34:37 PM
FIX'D

J.B. Welding it would be true to the nature of this website
Title: Re: To weld or not to weld...
Post by: Passenger on October 27, 2009, 11:18:12 PM
Shit I am a bit late but I could told you this wouldn't have worked, not only did you distort the shit out of the piston, it would have lost all its temper, there are welding methods around this but its kind of tricky, not good for long term reliability. A 1/8" npt plug from the bottom side would have worked allright, but would add extra wear to your rod bearings, better than welding, but not quite as good as another non damaged piston.
Title: Re: To weld or not to weld...
Post by: AbaZ on October 28, 2009, 12:19:56 AM
And aluminum melts at the 1200F. Doesn't mean that the piston actually gets to those EGT temps. You've got 250F crankcase temps on the other side, as well as windage oil cooling it down, and the heat soaked up by the skirt/sleeve. If nothing else, it would be for plugging the gaps in the threads. If 2/3 of it melts, it still holds. You'll obviously want to use an aluminum plug. Just be careful with the sharp edges, since the threads alone are enough of a stress riser for cracks to form at.

This reminds me of some mag article I saw posted a year ago, and it was old itself ('99?). I think it was a Miata owner wanting mroe compression for racing, and he epoxied COINS (jb or devcon) in each piston dish. Didn't get detonation, just more power. IIRC it was a road-race class where you had to use all stock engine parts, and the rules didn't say you couldn't mod stock pistons. Supposedly they won half the races that season, before anyone found out - and let them keep the wins.

Cliffs: jb weld some big coin over the hole, get more power, call it a day. :noel:



btw found the link!! http://www.boostedmiata.com/technical/AC_05518.pdf (http://www.boostedmiata.com/technical/AC_05518.pdf)

Holy crap, people have actually done it. What do you guys think? Should I try this on the next one I get? I have devcon and jb weld. Which to use? How hot does the top of a piston get in a completely stock NA 1.5l NA. What is JB weld rated at? or Devcon.

This is so backyard nig. I love it.

Title: Re: To weld or not to weld...
Post by: onlyflash944 on October 28, 2009, 01:27:53 AM
i probably woudl have ground it down smooth, assuming there was enough material left.  a few compression points in one cyl wouldn't keep you from flipping a beater
Title: Re: To weld or not to weld...
Post by: Joseph Davis on October 28, 2009, 12:53:10 PM
The crown of the piston is always 1050-1100 degrees, boosted or NA.
Title: Re: To weld or not to weld...
Post by: ktown powder coating on October 28, 2009, 02:34:16 PM
High temp lab-metal can withstand 1000F
(https://realhomemadeturbo.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.caswellplating.com%2Faids%2Fimages%2Flab_metal2.jpg&hash=e108cdb67ada06b9fdf6e9ef1bf5b4c6b84c77c9)

Title: Re: To weld or not to weld...
Post by: HiProfile on October 28, 2009, 02:49:05 PM
I'm wondering if that epoxy held it more with suction if it indeed melted some. The Devcon FasMetal 70 I have next to me is not intended for 250F+. My oil pump is still kicking with it inside, though. I opened it up after 2k miles to check.
Title: Re: To weld or not to weld...
Post by: AbaZ on October 28, 2009, 04:33:54 PM
The crown of the piston is always 1050-1100 degrees, boosted or NA.

Mr. Davis what is your thoughts on JB weld ontop of a piston. How really is it?  ;)

Title: Re: To weld or not to weld...
Post by: Teg2boo on October 28, 2009, 04:40:34 PM
I've put JBweld on my downpipe and it cracked and fail. I don't imagine how it is on a piston.

Only time I saw JBweld fail :P
Title: Re: To weld or not to weld...
Post by: patsmx5 on October 28, 2009, 04:40:49 PM
And aluminum melts at the 1200F. Doesn't mean that the piston actually gets to those EGT temps. You've got 250F crankcase temps on the other side, as well as windage oil cooling it down, and the heat soaked up by the skirt/sleeve. If nothing else, it would be for plugging the gaps in the threads. If 2/3 of it melts, it still holds. You'll obviously want to use an aluminum plug. Just be careful with the sharp edges, since the threads alone are enough of a stress riser for cracks to form at.

This reminds me of some mag article I saw posted a year ago, and it was old itself ('99?). I think it was a Miata owner wanting mroe compression for racing, and he epoxied COINS (jb or devcon) in each piston dish. Didn't get detonation, just more power. IIRC it was a road-race class where you had to use all stock engine parts, and the rules didn't say you couldn't mod stock pistons. Supposedly they won half the races that season, before anyone found out - and let them keep the wins.

Cliffs: jb weld some big coin over the hole, get more power, call it a day. :noel:



btw found the link!! http://www.boostedmiata.com/technical/AC_05518.pdf (http://www.boostedmiata.com/technical/AC_05518.pdf)

Hahahahahahaha. I'm hesitant to comment.
Title: Re: To weld or not to weld...
Post by: Joseph Davis on October 28, 2009, 04:40:57 PM
The crown of the piston is always 1050-1100 degrees, boosted or NA.

Mr. Davis what is your thoughts on JB weld ontop of a piston. How really is it?  ;)



Since we have a documented case of it working, I'd try it with a good measure of confidence.  It's the same theory behond why EGTs are hotter than the melting point of the head/piston with no ill effects - there's enough engine/mass to help thermally transfer excess heat away from the "hotspots" so bad shit doesn't happen.  

I'd use the 1000 degree stuff ktown posted up, though, if it were my labor.   :mexi:
Title: Re: To weld or not to weld...
Post by: onlyflash944 on October 28, 2009, 05:37:15 PM
Only time I saw JBweld fail :P

seen that a many times when people use it for radiator fixes
Title: Re: To weld or not to weld...
Post by: patsmx5 on October 28, 2009, 05:43:57 PM
Only time I saw JBweld fail :P

seen that a many times when people use it for radiator fixes

I've used it to fix cracked plastic radiator tanks many times. Just drill a hole to stop the crack from spreading, and JB it up. Our F150's been running a JB'd radiator tank for about a year, still not leaking.

Title: Re: To weld or not to weld...
Post by: onlyflash944 on October 28, 2009, 05:56:03 PM
i'm talking holes in the aluminum tubes
Title: Re: To weld or not to weld...
Post by: ktown powder coating on October 28, 2009, 06:13:57 PM
I have used JB weld to fix a rim that had a chuck missing from it before I powder coated it.  The rim reach a temp of 400F for 20 min and the JBweld help up fine.
Title: Re: To weld or not to weld...
Post by: AbaZ on October 28, 2009, 06:59:27 PM
I'm gonna jb weld these

(https://realhomemadeturbo.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.realhomemadeturbo.com%2F2009%2Fmisc%2Fengineshit3.jpg&hash=2b30e3356aad1813bb4eb8805b7f76dd53206f29)

and if that works, I'll try this motor

(https://realhomemadeturbo.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.realhomemadeturbo.com%2F2009%2Fmisc%2Fengineshit1.jpg&hash=3ee726eeb5f944ae1f69f1949b4704958f50b27e)

lol jk on both ;)

Title: Re: To weld or not to weld...
Post by: Joseph Davis on October 28, 2009, 07:51:43 PM
Out of curiousity, what does a Rio with trashed timing belt sell for?  How extensive is the engine damage, usually? 
Title: Re: To weld or not to weld...
Post by: j.h.christ on October 28, 2009, 08:42:56 PM
Out of curiousity, what does a Rio with trashed timing belt sell for? 

bout 500 or less out here.
Title: Re: To weld or not to weld...
Post by: AbaZ on October 28, 2009, 09:41:16 PM
Out of curiousity, what does a Rio with trashed timing belt sell for?  How extensive is the engine damage, usually? 

depends on mileage, options etc etc. I try not to spend more then 500 on one with under 80k miles and semi straight.  What you see in the pictures is about 75% on how they come to me. Sometimes I can clean up the pistons and slap a head on, or just replace 1 or 2 pistons. Really varies, I got the super hook up on parts, retail heads are 675, my cost is 430 (fully loaded brand new). They are not huge money makers for me. But they are so god damn easy to work on and sell fast. Someday I'd like to try and build one of these engines blindfolded. ;)

Title: Re: To weld or not to weld...
Post by: 92CXyD on October 28, 2009, 10:42:16 PM
Out of curiousity, what does a Rio with trashed timing belt sell for?  How extensive is the engine damage, usually? 

depends on mileage, options etc etc. I try not to spend more then 500 on one with under 80k miles and semi straight.  What you see in the pictures is about 75% on how they come to me. Sometimes I can clean up the pistons and slap a head on, or just replace 1 or 2 pistons. Really varies, I got the super hook up on parts, retail heads are 675, my cost is 430 (fully loaded brand new). They are not huge money makers for me. But they are so god damn easy to work on and sell fast. Someday I'd like to try and build one of these engines blindfolded. ;)



 I know a guy who retired from working for the Wyo. DOT. buy Kia Sophias, Rio, and Sportags usually between $100 and $500. Then fix them and sell them $1,500 or more.

He helps me find Honda/Acura parts in JY and his other connections.