Broken Ear on Slant Six :P

Old Car Scott · Post subject: Broken Ear on Slant Six :P (Tue Feb 21, 2012 11:02 am)

So, I cut my wrecked Valiant up this weekend and discovered a few things, one of which was the tab/ear/flange on the block below the starter had been broken during my accident.

So.... How important is this to the holding on the bellhousing?

I was hoping I could do a yank-n-slam into my new Valiant but no sure if this makes that no bueno.

_________________
Scott - 1967 Plymouth Valiant Coupe
Life's a garden, dig it! Smile

old6rodder · EFI Slant 6 Joined: 30 Apr 2003 Posts: 463 Location: SoCal

Howdy,

You haven't said exactly where your break is, so ..........

I have those ears broken (across the bracket bolt hole at the tip) on both my street Toad and my HAMBster. I hold the piece in place for re-assembly 'til it's tightened in place. Both've run that way for a few years.

The engine/gearbox assy is supported both directions from that point, putting that point under a longitudinal tension load only, which the bracket/bolt/bell contains. This pulls the bracket/bell juncture toward the block there, only compression loading the break laterally.

If the break's farther in than that bolt hole I won't say, as I've not done that. If farther in though, then keeping the floating chunk in place for it's compression job would be my main issue.

_________________
Dick, 225% crazy
I've raced.
I've spectated.
I prefer racing.
Photos link

Doc · Post subject: (Tue Feb 21, 2012 11:29 am)

Nickel rod arc welding will fix it.
DD

Old Car Scott · Post subject: (Tue Feb 21, 2012 11:41 am)

This is a sample picture, but it broke the flange/ear where I drew the red line.

I don't want to slam it in if it really provides that much support to bellhousing.

I had though maybe I could whip up a steel brace...

Doc, think I can weld it with an oxy-actylene setup? Never done cast iron, always put that welding skill on a pedestal. Guess I could give 'er a whirl.

_________________
Scott - 1967 Plymouth Valiant Coupe
Life's a garden, dig it! Smile

ESP47 · Post subject: (Tue Feb 21, 2012 12:01 pm)

You got another Valiant? Where's the pics??

old6rodder · EFI Slant 6 Joined: 30 Apr 2003 Posts: 463 Location: SoCal

... at the base of the ear.

Basically, all the ear does is keep the brace/bell point from being pulled in toward the block. Anything that'll keep it in position between the block and that bolt'll work fine.

In order of preference ....
welding,
cross pins,
face bracket.

I'd recommend an experienced cast iron welder.

My own answer'd be both welding and the cross pins, possible re-fracturing at the weld would then be addressed.
I tend to over engineer on repairs.

_________________
Dick, 225% crazy
I've raced.
I've spectated.
I prefer racing.
Photos link

Old Car Scott · Post subject: (Tue Feb 21, 2012 12:30 pm)

nuttyprof · Post subject: (Tue Feb 21, 2012 12:51 pm)

In some /6 pickups there is a brace from just above the pan rail to the bell housing below that ear. If you could find/make one that would help strengthen that area. I have one but don't know what bell it was for and it will be about 3-4 weeks till I can dig it out for a picture.

_________________
Dave

1977 d-200 crew cab ex-army pickup wants it's /6 back
1962 Valiant 2 door, 170, three on the tree
1972 d-100 parts truck

Old Car Scott · Post subject: (Tue Feb 21, 2012 1:27 pm)

Rick Covalt · Post subject: Brace (Tue Feb 21, 2012 1:55 pm)

Many people run their cars without that brace.(Every slant I have ever had has the brace) Since you have an ear broken off, the brace will be much more important. That brace is heavy steel and should be ample support in place of the broken ear. My opinion. Hopefully one of the experts will chime in! Laughing

Rick

_________________
2 Mopars come with Spark plug tubes. One is a highly refined, record setting, world class, racing machine. The other is a 426 CI. boat anchor!
]

nuttyprof · Post subject: (Tue Feb 21, 2012 2:23 pm)

I would think it would be enough for strength but you might want to bolt the broken piece in to help keep things from shifting. jmo

_________________
Dave

1977 d-200 crew cab ex-army pickup wants it's /6 back
1962 Valiant 2 door, 170, three on the tree
1972 d-100 parts truck

Reed · Post subject: (Tue Feb 21, 2012 3:08 pm)

Every slant I have ever seen has had the brace. There was one time I swapped motors in a Valiant, forgot to install that brace, then sold the car. A week later the guy I sold it to called up and told me the transmission dies in the car while he was on the highway. Since I worked with the guy, I agreed to look at the Valiant. It turns out the bellhousing on the 904 had broken off from the main body of the transmission, dumping out all the fluid. I suspect that the vibrations and force from the motor cracked the transmission and led to the complete failure of the case. I would never, ever, run a slant six without that brace.

If recommend getting a competent welder to weld the ear back on, then run the brace. At a minimum you will need to bolt the chunk of the motor behind the brace to act as a spacer.

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Old Car Scott · Post subject: (Tue Feb 21, 2012 3:10 pm)

Excellent! I was hoping to get away with a cheap fix! Smile

Thanks guys!! Cool

Now, if only the wreck didn't tear an ear off and bend the input shaft on the four speed tranny!! Shocked

_________________
Scott - 1967 Plymouth Valiant Coupe
Life's a garden, dig it! Smile

Eric W · Post subject: (Tue Feb 21, 2012 6:27 pm)

Neat car you have Scott. I took some time and looked at your site. You sir are a true hot rodder! Oh yeah, liked your dad's '57 too. Cool

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Eric

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