Has anyone used durafix on cast aluminum

[mlryan]

I have a 1967 5hp evinrude outboard and i made the mistake at trying to remove the exhaust manifold plate and snapped off a bunch of screws. I managed to drill out all except for one. As i was drilling this out the bit hopped off and drilled the screw housing on the block. I removed the screw successfully but no longer have a way of putting a screw in. Was looking online and found this stuff called durafix which is like and aluminum brazing/welding rod you can use to weld/braz cast aluminum. This stuff sounds too good to be true. Has anybody used it and does it really work? I am trying to completely overhaul this engine on a budget that doesnt include a trip to the machine shop. I got an estimate for a machine shop to cut out the screw hoousing, weld in a plug, drill and tap it. <br /><br />Looking for the cheap way out

 

[real550A]

Re: Has anyone used durafix on cast aluminum

I have used it with success in filling holes and filing it down. Not sure I'd put much torque on screws or bolts that pass through it.

 

[Hooty]

Re: Has anyone used durafix on cast aluminum

I'd install a Heli-Coil. You can get them at your local auto parts store. <br /><br />c/6<br />Hooty

 

[lark2004]

Re: Has anyone used durafix on cast aluminum

use the durafix, it is stronger than aluminium and is easy to use, it will take to cast alloy. Follow the instructions exactly and remember that cleanliness is the key to this stuff bonding properly. Up to you if you use a Heli-Coil, the durafix won't strip any sooner than aluminium. Happy machining!

 

[rolmops]

Re: Has anyone used durafix on cast aluminum

I have tried to use it and found that on anything bigger than an aluminum can (soft drink)it is almost impossible to heat up the material, that is around the place where you want to do your weld,enough for any effective work.Unless you have big time welding equipment.<br />Hooty's helicoil is by far more effective,faster and cheaper.You can set it by just drilling your hole to the right size threading the hole and inserting it.If the hole is a bit to big ,fill it in with JB-weld let it harden and then do the helicoil.

 

[lark2004]

Re: Has anyone used durafix on cast aluminum

well rolmops, you don't need welding equipment, only propane, but you do need the right tip to get the heat where you need it. Also an understanding of where the hottest part of the flame is, just at the tip of the bright blue cone of flame in the middle of the big flame. I have succesfuly used this stuff on the head of my car's engine, and was able to fill the stripped hole and drill/tap a new thread into the durafix. The hole was for the ohc and needed to be torqued down to 30 pounds, is still working 2 years on from the repair.

 

[Cut n' Jump]

Re: Has anyone used durafix on cast aluminum

MAP gas rocks. Throw away the propane torch.

 

[lark2004]

Re: Has anyone used durafix on cast aluminum

true, but I work with I've got, which is propane, and that does work well on alloy.

 

[mlryan]

Re: Has anyone used durafix on cast aluminum

does anybody know where i can get some, i only need maybe one or two sticks not a pound of the stuff

 

[Hooty]

Re: Has anyone used durafix on cast aluminum

Try a heat & air conditioning supply house.<br /><br />c/6<br />Hooty