Rods for cast steel ?

[CRS51]

Evening all, I have got a pair of thermostat housings from a Perkins v8 engine that need the outlet repositioning. Now I think they are a cast steel as opposed to a cast iron as a new hand file doesn't want to touch them and we tried cutting one in the chop saw which has a tct blade to no avail.
What would be your advice on rod type be to re weld them back up after we have managed to cut them ? Wall thickness is about 3/8 and 2 1/4 diameter od.
Could they be tigged instead ?
Thanks in advance
Chris

 

[BrokenBiker]

sounds like you might need a good pre heat and cooling control to stop cracking, probably a nickel based rod? or 309 dissimilar maybe.

could they not be brazed with a copper alloy?

 

[Bill Edwards]

Touch it with a grinder. If the sparks have a red colour it is cast iron and needs a rod with a high nickel content (typically known as a cast rod), and careful welding to keep the part cool.
If the sparks aren't red then I can't tell you what is correct for welding cast steel, but I've had success using ordinary E6013 rods and not getting it very hot.

 

[BrokenBiker]

and, if like the 'cast steel' parts I machine in work, it doesn't produce a spark then leave it alone, its probably not weldable anyway lol.

haven't a clue what the castings are in work, but they are adamant that they are made from cast steel. I always thought anything ferrous i.e. steel produced a spark

 

[brightspark]

cast iron produce a dull dark red spark

 

[CRS51]

Thanks for the replies I'll get some pics taken tonight and put them up
Chris

 

[CRS51]

Bit of a delay in getting to the workshop but tonight have taken some pics for everyone. Put the grinder on it and it gives a short spark with split ends and a dull orange colour.
Anyway here are the pics,

 

[brightspark]

just run a bead of mild steel weld over the part u have cut out and test it for strength /if its ok v the joint and proceed on part

 

[Bill Edwards]

I think that'll be fine with ordinary rods/wire.

 

[BrokenBiker]

should be ok with 6013. But as said if you are unsure weld a bead in the off cut and test it

 

[CRS51]

Thanks for the replies.
I have done the job this afternoon after some trial runs on the offcut.
Firstly tried a 6013 but it didn't like it so tried a 309 L 17 but this was a bit much being a 4mm rod so had another look and found some 309 ob 16 that are a bit smaller and these seemed to have done the job ok.
Any criticism is most welcome,
Chris.

 

[Bill Edwards]

That looks fine. Odd how the 6013 didn't work, but it looks like you got sorted.