Repairing cracked quietline aluminum muffler box -alumaweld
 

My muffler box was cracked, as a lot of them are. The correct way to fix this would be to have it tig or mig'd. I don't yet have an aluminum setup for my mig, and I didn't have the time to find a local source to tig this back together.

What I did have were some alumaweld sticks:
http://www.harborfreight.com/8-piece...ods-44810.html

so, I thought i'd experiment, and use them to make the box servicable. Seemed to work fine, and everything is back together.
http://i85.photobucket.com/albums/k4...g?t=1376077315

There are lots of "how-to's" on using alumaweld on youtube if you search "alumaweld welding"

Basically, what I found was that you need a decent size tip on your torch (I used a propane mix plumbers torch), and heat the box up until you can touch the rod to it, and it flows almost like a real weld bead would flow. Once it flows then you drag the alumaweld stick across the joint, and let it cool.

http://i85.photobucket.com/albums/k4...152731_459.jpg

While I had the box all torn apart, I also fixed the cracks in the steel box, and welded the sides to strengthen it. These pics were taken before the weld were ground down/ painted.

http://i85.photobucket.com/albums/k4...160414_243.jpg

http://i85.photobucket.com/albums/k4...160421_491.jpg
http://i85.photobucket.com/albums/k4...155538_210.jpg
http://i85.photobucket.com/albums/k4...161801_257.jpg
http://i85.photobucket.com/albums/k4...144042_982.jpg
http://i85.photobucket.com/albums/k4...155548_228.jpg

That is why QL's will be in my "had" list of Cubs!!! Good job though...

Nice work on the repair!

I fixed mine as well. Sept it wasn't near as purdy as that

Looks good.
While you have it apart, build yourself a muffler crutch, it'll help with stopping other cracking.

I fixed all my Quiet Line tractors a completly different way. I took all those part off and threw them in the scrap pile and added a strait pipe. Worked for me. Each their own though. Good job on your welding and fixes!!!
John

JD parts
 

Since I had to get/make complete muffler boxes. I got the AL ducts from JD 212 and adapted the changes to between the two ducts to the new tin work. I did a SW layout of the 1250 duct and tin work. Then when I got the ducts from the JD 200 series I modified the tin work drawing and had a tin man make them. I cost me $20 a complete box. And yes the tin is the correct gauge. Then I made the support bars and installed. Time will tell if this will prevent the problem. I do know one thing is the the ducts from the JD's are far more available than the ones for CC and 1/4 the cost.

If this helps:biggrin2: