broken camshaft housing

[whitespider80]

HELP! The stud casting is physically broken on both camshaft housings. Can this be repaired or should I look for replacements?

[BEEK]

replacements, and that is from overtightening

[narfire]

Hey Beek, Would a skillful tig welder be able to rectify that break. Just wondering as you mentioned the bolt should be snug but not over tightened. Is it a structural section or just a support for the top covers? Would the oil saturation make a weld impossible?

Reason I mentioned was that I helped a fellow several years ago replace his broken oil pump. I had the broken pump tig'd and the thing looks great.
Chris

[BEEK]

housings are plentyful, it could be tig welded, but is it worth it?

[whitespider80]

I did find some cam boxes for sale at $75 each at INTERNATIONAL-AUTO.COM and the tech rep said I'd have to purchase the cam box gaskets at $7 and the cover gaskets at $4.30. He also said I'd have to readjust the valves. But I do have a coworker who is an industrial welder with over 20 yrs exp. He wants to look at it before he agrees to weld it but I'm wondering if I should just go with the replacements. Which would be better and least complicated?

[azruss]

expect any welding to warp the cam towers. If he can weld on the car, that should hold the base true. You can probably expect issues with the covers leaking. the top gasket of the cam tower is very difficult to get flat as the busted piece sits higher than the gasket surface.

[SoFlaFiat]

Post in the parts wanted for some used ones and check with AutoRicambi as well, would be my advise.

[focodave]

I would order new cam towers if I were you.
But if you decide to weld in place, you may want to disconnect the battery and disconnect the ECU to prevent potential damage to the ECU while welding.
The chances of damage are slim, but why take a chance on such a vulnerable part that is expensive and hard to test if you suspect it could have been damaged?
Just my 2 cents...

[wizard124]

How about using some JB Weld on it. Use some spray electronics cleaner to fully remove the oil. Apply the JBWeld to the broken piece and thick on both sides to reinforce it. Can drill and tap the hole if needed.

[BEEK]

i have some if you cant find any local

[131]

expect any welding to warp the cam towers.

Rubbish. A decent welder wouldn't get enough excess heat in the metal for the rest of the housing to get vaguely warm.

[vandor]

>I did find some cam boxes for sale at $75 each

You can get used ones for a fraction of that. I bet there are a dozen members of this forum who have extras laying around gathering dust they'd be happy to sell you.

[whitespider80]

THANK YOU TO EVERYONE! I'm definately convinced this forum has my Fiat's best interest in mind. I've decided to replace the cam boxes - no welding. Next question...can cam boxes that fit on a carberated 80' engine work on my fuel injected 80' engine (2 for $75). I hope that's not an obvious question but seller is almost positive they're interchangeable. Also I've turned this over to the friend/mechanic who says that he needs the Valve Adjustment tool, some shims, new spark plugs, timing belt, and new oil seals...He's already removed the timing belt cover, inner timing cover, plugs and wires and the coolant "T". The Cam timing has been aligned. Sheeze this is scary, does all this sound familiar? Any advice or suggestions are greatly appreciated!

[narfire]

Have you tried "Auto Italia" in California. he has a decent supply of used parts.
I'll take a look myself. I had a carb'd 2L head laying about,(why, I don't know) can't remember if the towers are still on it.
Chris

[SoFlaFiat]

Jenni, consider contacting Beek and sending your head to him. He would not need to purchase tools and has shims etc. And He posted that he has cam boxes.
My 2 cents....