Cast iron to steel?

[scapegoat]

I have a ford 8.8 rearend that I want to weld on. I heard that the center section on it is cast iron and the axle tubes are steel. The reason I want to weld them is to make it stronger. I have heard from many people that the factory plug welds are weak. So I woul like to beaf it up a bit. Can you successfuly weld these two metals together. I have a Hobart stickmate ac/dc. Thanks fellas.

[scapegoat]

Sberry? Hank? Any of you guys?

[Zrexxer]

http://www.hobartwelders.com/weldtal...ad.php?t=28154
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[77 cruiser]

Just did a 12 bolt, I used Nickel rod & preheated it first. You'll have to check for straightness after though. Mine was about a 1/4 in. off on one end after, but I got it back.

[scapegoat]

I would be stick welding it. The question I have still is...is the center section cast iron or cast steel? Would there really be some cracking issues with the center?

[R W]

I could be wrong but taking a guess without seeing it I'd say there is good
possibility that it is cast steel.

[PJinNJ]

Personally I'd use a truss across the tubes. Welding to the center section means you'll have a tougher time replacing one of those tubes if you bend it or need to machine the end for something like a new backing plate.

[aametalmaster]

Skip the 8.8 and put in a 9" and never look back...Bob

[1990notch]

The center is cast iron. The main problem is warpage. I was going to have a rearend shop do the job but it was an afterthought after they already assembled the rearend, so I skipped it for now. I think they quoted me $125 to do the job and straighten it afterwards if needed, etc. If you have a reputable rearend shop around you, it may be worth checking into.

[scapegoat]

Skip the 8.8 and put in a 9" and never look back...Bob

Been there done that I actually replaced the 9" with the 8.8. The 9" was only a 28 spline with drum brakes and a trackloc. So to move up to a 31 spline I would have to get a carrier, and moser/strange axles which would be pushing a grand after all said and done. Plus I had a 3.50 gear ratio in the 9" and I wanted 373's as well, so that would of been $300 more. So in the end I would have had a 31 spline,trackloc,373 geared 9" with over a grand in it. Oh and I already put $800 into the 9" 8 years ago. So instead I just went out and bought a 31 spline 8.8,disc brakes,373 gear,trackloc,with 58,000 miles for a grand total of...$300. Besides, an 8.8 is stronger than a 12 bolt chevy

[jamesdart]

i think they are cast steel. a race car shop i hang out at, when ever they have a rear on the jig to narrow, they weld the tubes to the center with the mig.