TIG torch for motorcycle port work

[chrisfournier]

I am looking for advice as to which TIG torch would be useful for welding inside motorcycle intake and exhaust ports.

These ports are from 3/4" to 2" in diameter and up to 5" long. All the work I will be doing is in aluminum. I've looked at the Weldcraft WP-125-L and the Parweld WP-24-W on paper. The WP-125 is only rated for 90 AC amps so considerable pre-heating will be required... Is the Parweld small enough?

Is this type of welding even possible given the space constraints and heat requirements?

Any insights from the membership would be greatly appreciated.

[rode2rouen]

If you are going to be welding on cylinder heads, you will find that preheat is a must. The mass of the aluminum head will suck up a lot of heat.

An old propane grill will work well for an oven if money is tight.


Rex

[shawnspeed]

used to weld on 2-cycle & 4 cycle heads for motorcyles with a weldcraft WP20 water cooled torch( if i remember , it's been 20 years)and long gas lenses...I would use epoxy(devcon) on the intake side and weld on the exaust side , and you will need preheat , and a peopane grill works great....Shawn

[mark61]

Did you stop and reheat or have the head continously heated say on a hot plate while welding?

mark61

[shawnspeed]

place in the heat sorce get it to 350-400 degrees & start welding, if you feel the pudle not wicking as it should , put it back in the oven for a longer soak. I would also reccomend placing back in the heat souce after wour welds are done for about 10 min. and then turn off the heat and let it cool slowly. Shawn

[chrisfournier]

Thanks to all for the helpful replies. Looking at the CK Worldwide MR14 torch and pre/post heat as mentioned.

[Dawai]

They make a tig torch that looks like a large ink pen.

I think that post was on the "home made tig welder" post.

NOW, the chinese have cornered that idea, cheaper to purchase than to build and try to design something that will stand in there.

So, them accumulated spare parts are going into a edm. Which also works great for port work.