Aluminum Bracket - to weld or not

[smyrna5]

The bracket that holds the alternator on my old van broke right where the bolts hold the alternator on. I know I can get a few aluminum sticks and try to weld it back together with the stick welder, but is it advisable? The dealer no longer stocks the item, so if not I have to get one from the junkyard.

atlantamusclecars.com/Paint/Bracket 001.jpg

atlantamusclecars.com/Paint/Bracket 002.jpg

atlantamusclecars.com/Paint/Bracket 003.jpg

atlantamusclecars.com/Paint/Bracket 004.jpg

atlantamusclecars.com/Paint/Bracket 005.jpg

[sumojo]

TIG would be better but you can use stick. that one side looks a little thin on this pic but the other side would work
atlantamusclecars.com/Paint/Bracket%20003.jpg

[bandsawguy]

If it was me I would probably pick one up at the junk yard. Quick easy no hassles just bolt on and good to go.

[Hotfoot]

Another vote for Junkyad...or check Craigslist..post a "Wanted" ad after you research what years/models will work...but you need to figure out why it broke in the first place...is the alternator seized??:confused:

[Mr Meck]

If you can't find another, then I would not recommend AL stick. It is a good TIG job. Alignment of the holes is formost. Hand machining a given. If no one else will fix it give me a gingle.:D

[Aeroweld]

If you are going to repair it do it right. TIG weld it. If you don't have the capability, pay someone to do it. While there are welders that can stick weld Aluminum it is not an easy task and I doubt if you will get satisfactory results. Do it right the first time and not worry about it in the future.

[FWI]

I would tig weld it or if you don't have tig. Mig weld the heck out of it and clean it up redrill the hole. You can do it controller of heat.

[84ZMike]

I know it's in a van....can you use this set up ?....
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Parts-Accessories_Car-Truck-Parts-Accessories__SERPENTINE-BELT-DRIVE-FOR-A-BIG-BLOCK-CHEVY-COMPLETE_W0QQitemZ160273486443QQddnZPartsQ20Q26Q20 AccessoriesQQadnZCarQ20Q26Q20TruckQ20PartsQ20Q26Q2 0AccessoriesQQddiZ2811QQadiZ2865QQcmdZViewItem?has h=item160273486443&_trkparms=39%3A1%7C65%3A1%7C240%3A1318&_trksid=p4506.c0.m245

Your's looks alot like this one from an S10 Blazer
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Parts-Accessories_Car-Truck-Parts-Accessories__SERPENTINE-BELT-PULLY-BRACKET-SYSTEM-CHEVY-V8-350-SBC_W0QQitemZ230281718520QQddnZPartsQ20Q26Q20Acces soriesQQadnZCarQ20Q26Q20TruckQ20PartsQ20Q26Q20Acce ssoriesQQddiZ2811QQadiZ2865QQcmdZViewItem?hash=ite m230281718520&_trkparms=39%3A1%7C65%3A1%7C240%3A1318&_trksid=p4506.c0.m245

[calweld]

You know, smyrna, you asked a good question, I have one for you .....

How much do you like sitting on the side of the road, with your thumb out? or waiting on a tow-truck? hahaha, myself, I don't have the patience, normally I go somewhere, I plan to be there in "x" amount of time, not planning on any other exciting things happening on the way. Looks like a "single belt" setup, you not only loose the alternator, but also the water pump, power steering, etc. I think, the advice, find a new one, is probably valid.

BUT,,,,,, did you ever happen to examine and figure out WHY that part broke in the first place????? If you don't fix the real cause, it's kinda like p!ssing against the wind ......

[bandsawguy]

You know, smyrna, you asked a good question, I have one for you .....



BUT,,,,,, did you ever happen to examine and figure out WHY that part broke in the first place????? If you don't fix the real cause, it's kinda like p!ssing against the wind ......

Yup should definitly think about the why it happened part.

[Broccoli1]

Get a replacement and weld the old one for practice.:)

[B_C]

Those are pretty heavy lugs to just break off like that.....Like Calweld said you need to find out why they broke in the first place.....Welding that bracket is no big deal....But it shouldn't have broken in the first place.....Check the bearings in that alt. I see the rear mount that holds the alt. from being pulled forward and snapping the lugs...
was that bolt missing or loose? If so that's what caused the lug failure.....

[madmike]

is this a 4.3? its very common for the steel bracket that bolts to the whole front on the motor cracks and breaks...this bracket is the rear bracket for all the accessories and everything has to be removed to replace it....not that bad, ive done a few they are very common this mostlikly was the root cause of the failure

[smyrna5]

Not that it matters any more since that van is dead and gone now, but yeah it was a 4.3L V6. I think one of the reasons it may have broken is because it was missing one of the 3 bolts that held the alternator. I used to have a mechanic (before I started doing it myself) who didn't think anything of leaving off those extra parts. Or.. maybe it just fell out, who knows?

I still have the aluminum bracket by the way. Before it died I replaced it, but kept the old one. Maybe I should see if I can weld it now.