Can I "Aluminum Weld" The outside of the head on my YTM200?????

[mattb348]

You know how there is that plate that covers the timing gear on a YTM200? It has 2 screws and a big rubber o-ring. It is a square plate that covers the cam gear and part of the upper timing chain...

The top of the head where it screws into has 2 ears/tabs that stick out a little, which is where the threads for the screws are. One of those ears/tabs broke off, so I can not drill & tap it.

Now my YTM200 leaks oil becuase I can only tighten that plate on one side :)

Someone told me that I can easily have the section that broke off, "aluminum welded" (basically just put a big chunk of aluminum weld on it). I can then drill & tap through the aluminum weld.

However, I think that the head is made out of white metal, rather than aluminum. Is this correct? And if so, will "alluminum welding" it melt it and ruin it?

I don't mind taking the risk. I do happen to have another head, but I am getting REALLY sick of having to rip the gas tank, pipe, and the head off. So I would much rather just fix the head that is on it. I already tried using JB weld and drilling/tapping that, but it didn't last long, as expected :)

Will "Alluminum Welding" the head work? Or will it definitely just melt the crap out of it? :)

Thanks again guys!

[Mr_RPM]

you mean TIG weld it? you need to talk to a really good welder and ask his opinion, some pictures might help. unless you know a welder it probably wont be super cheap. TIG welding is one of the harder styles that only true welders use rather than your everyday joe in his garage on a MIG welder.
post some pictures

TIG welders are the best for aluminum FYI

[leviblue]

If you have a head then use it.......do it right the 1st time and you won't do it a 2nd or 3rd

[200XMichigan]

To make a flat surface after material was welded on it would have to be machined. So you would have to remove the head to repair it. Put the new head on. Might be worth repairing the other as a spare but I don't think it can be fixed properly on the bike. And the head should be aluminum, I only say should because I haven't seen a YTM200 up close but I have never seen white metal on an engine. White metal is the stuff chrome car door handles were made of, before auto companies got to cheap to use white metal and started chroming plastic.

[Thorpe]

A very skilled welder with a TIG welder could indeed do that for you... Any of those "works with a propane torch" types, I would have to say NO. Agree with 200X, that the part should come off and be checked for true, and welding would probably destroy any gaskets or o-rings as well...

[mattb348]

Yea I'm gonna just swap out the head.... may as well just do it the right way :)

[svtkeith]

Swapping the head is your best bet. I have tig welded many engine components in my day and its hit or miss. Some castings are so poor that as soon as your weld cools, it cracks. you weld the crack, that cracks. You try to pre heat the part then weld, it still cracks.

[smokinwrench]

I work with a guy that is probably one of the best welders in the country. He has welded many wierd things on my atv's/atc's. I also have 2 awesome machinists at my disposal and I can use the entire machine shop for stuff I can handle. If you want send the part to me and I can have it fixed and send it back to ya.