I sent my sump to Ajax for repair about a month ago, just got it back yesterday. The sump had been repaired by Drake when I had the engine overhauled about 4 years ago, and recently developed a crack just forward of the carb where it had been welded.gahorn wrote:Randy Selchert, of Ajax Welding Inc., 319 Wolf Rd., San Antonio, TX 78216 800/531-7272 or 210/342-9494 tells me they not only weld these magnesium sumps, they are an FAA Certified Repair Station, and usually have at least one in stock for exchange.
He said that the only way to properly repair these is to thoroughly clean them (they are porous and absorb oil) then weld a patch on the outside of the unit where the weld won't be weakened by inbedded oil. The average price of such a repair is $500. They been in business as certified aircraft and crankcase welders for many years. They're located just off the SAT Int'l airport.
The new repair is external with a patch that runs almost the full width of the bottom of the pan and goes forward around the forward drain plug. Looks like a good job, BUT even tho I sent the sump to Ajax, it turns out they send to someone else, you guessed it - Drake. Hope this one does the job.