welding cast iron to mild steel

Hey guys I am moving my rear leaf springs to inside the frame rails on my 57 chevy 210. The front spring mounts are like stamped steel so it shouldn't be much of a problem welding them. Now the rear mounts are cast iron and were riveted on. Can you weld cast iron brackets to a mild steel frame ? or do I bolt them in ? thanks

 

Bolt them in. Welding that would be a BAD idea.

 

They are not cast iron. Cast steel maybe. If they were riveted on then use the rivet holes for bolt holes.

 

thank you, will do

 

As mentioned, most likely the castings are steel, but they could be malleable iron.

Even when properly done, welding iron is generally only done as a last resort to save something, or to make a modification that would not be possible otherwise. And without going through a series of precautions and controlled heating/cooling, welding iron results in a very weak weld.

It sounds like your best option would be to fab up something out of steel to replace the castings?

 

Bolts. Preferably good ones.

 

Mig welded mine on my 56 18 years ago and they are still there. Car runs mid elevens and lifts both wheels off the ground. So you could say they are under a bit of stress but no problems.
Also had another 56 that ran low 10`s and did the same thing to that 5 years ago and it is still fine.
I reckon I have seen these welded on the inside of the ch***is on probably twenty 55 6 7 chevs over the years and have never heard of any breakages.
As long as you are a decent welder or know someone who is you will be fine.
Just to clear something else up on my Right Hand Drive 56 the original ones are still on the outside of the ch***is as per standard and they are factory welded NOT riveted on.
I also have a 56 Sedan Delivery that had them riveted but it now has spring pockets in the ch***is.

 

An easy way to tell cast iron from cast steel is to do a spark test with a grinder, If the spark trail is short and orange the material is cast iron. Long yellow spark indicates the material is steel.

 

they ARE steel and very weldable. preheat and make them one. throw some 6010 to it and a cover p*** of 7018. It'll out last any bond ever made. If you cant use a stick machine then just mig em' just be sure to preheat that hanger will eat up the weld heat too fast and get a little hard (brittle).

 

I could be wrong but didn't most guys back in the day just unbolt the brackets and just bolt them on the other side (LT out side is now RT side inside of the frame)

 

Spark test -- Take a grinder and compare sparks to other steels, cast iron has very short chutes

 

I`ve allways cut them off if welded or the rivets ground off and drilled and then the mounts put on the inside on opposite sides and welded onto the ch***is.
Have never heated up the brackets allthough it is probably a good idea for the rear ones and never had any problems ever.

 

I started this thread last night before sack time and at 8:30 this morning I looked again to see if anymore info was there and yes there was. Man you people are awsome thank you so much. Can you emagine doing stuff to your ride before computers and all this technology, hit and miss I guess thanks again.