TECH: Make a Bellhousing out of an old Intake Manifold!!

I vote this for Tech of the year, and that is saying something! Very awesome of you for posting this for us. So many questions I want to ask but I think my head will explode if I try right now...not to mention the size of such a post! I will reserve them for PM's! Thank you!

 

Perfect timing for me,,,because I just bought a factory made furnace at the swapmeet yesterday.

I'd also like to know how long does it take to melt a small amount of aluminum?

..and, can brass or bronze be melted this way...on propane? Thanks

 

So Cool!!! I have been researching casting for a long time now and it looks like I will be trying it at home soon! thanks alot. you got my vote

 

Awesome!!!!! Thanks for posting this!

 

Love this thread. Hopefully more to come?

 

Wow, this is a great post. I wish I had time to try this. Very cool, Thanks for sharing.

 

Very sweet parts!

Who's ELMER ?

Rich

 

That's his last name.

Loudpedal, I was waiting to see you melt an intake to make the bellhousing.

What should I know about melting things down? Have you run into issues melting like items that have subtle property differences?

 

very cool. i keep saying that i am going to do this.

 

Yes he does. His books are awesome.

It takes about a half hour to melt aluminum. It's doesn't seem to matter how much you have in the crucible... It's pretty much the same amout of time.

You can do brass or bronze with propane, just takes a bit longer to heat.

No, I haven't had any issues like that.

 

Well I waiting for my refractory to cure. I'll pour it Monday night and post the results so you can check it out.

It's a mag drive. Here are some more pics that will make some sense out of it:

 

fantastic tech and very well explained. thanks

 

Damn, I wish I wasn't worn out from the Roundup and didn't have to go to bed, I want to read this thread!

 

subscribed! I've done lost wax casting with bronze, dig it. BUT Wha... Heads, how do ya do a sparkplug change. Frinkin' sick.

 

Subscribed so I can find this thread again. Cool!

 

I've been holding out on doing this thinking it was something better sent off,
but your pics make it more real than a book.
Looks very addicting!
Thanks for posting all this.

Do you only use previously cast aluminum scrap,
or do you throw in any billet scrap?
Just wondering if different grades/types of aluminum are mixable for casting purposes.
TP

 

Thank you!

 

Takes me back to shop classes. Nice tech. Thanks for posting.

 

Outstanding!!!!!

 

Awesome!

 

Great stuff, very inspiring stuff, between this and the patternmaking project I have in mind looks like I'm going to get even cRaZiEr...

Was thinking the same, good and bad?

Cheers, and thanks for the effort to create this thread....I'll take one of those bellhousings please

Drewfus

 

This really is a great and worthy thread!

Thanks for raising the bar.

 

I get the best results from previously cast aluminum.

Thanks for all of the kind words you guys!

 

Thanks for taking the time to post this really neat info! Enjoyed it, glad people are sharing their knowledge and skills.

 

Do you send your structural parts out for heat treat? I made some quickchange rear covers and had them done to T6, and was wondering if you did the same for the bellhousing or the mag drive.

And, do you only use scrap parts that seem like they'd be high quality material, or just use any old thing? Ever had a part crack that you thought was because of cheap aluminum?

 

too cool , , , , ,
anxious to give this a try
have you had any shrinkage issues to contend with?

 

That's a pretty personal question don't you think???


I believe the shrinkage is 1-2%.

 

yea thanks some of the ideas I've been using all ready just used fire bricks for the furnace and like you said made my own cruce out of 1/4 wall 6" pipe and a bottom welded on it but tried making my own sand to no avail but now will have the resipy for the sand!! wound up paying with shipping about 3 bucks a pound for petrolium sand less chance of explosions

would oil substituted for water work with your resipy I'm not trying to highjack your thread so won't show any pics of my set up but like you said being in a remote area like I am gotta do for me self

 

great tech!

 

Yes, great tech.