Tough question (maybe nobody knows the answer)

[bobs63wagon]

Want to repair the holes that are in my 63 Plymouth aluminum fenders. The aluminum welder asked if there was a way to tell what grade (not thickness) that aluminum might be. Not sure if Mopar has a place to find out. Like I said, tough question. Maybe not necessary to know, but may help if one could find out.

 

[rmchrgr]

Jim Kramer might know.
http://www.kramerauto.com/

You could try this dude though his web page looks kind of abandoned...
https://racehemi.maxwedge.com/

 

[Rooster]

If my schooling knowledge is correct, the alloy classification system wasn't established firmly until the 70's. So the guys cooking it up in the early 60's probably didn't have a numerical designation for it.
It more than likely is similar to a 3000 or 5000 series aluminum alloy today, both non-heat treatable. And both can be welded successfully with 4043 filler

 

[jamie]

I could only guess it was similar to a 5052.

 

[bobs63wagon]

If my schooling knowledge is correct, the alloy classification system wasn't established firmly until the 70's. So the guys cooking it up in the early 60's probably didn't have a numerical designation for it.
It more than likely is similar to a 3000 or 5000 series aluminum alloy today, both non-heat treatable. And both can be welded successfully with 4043 filler

Thank you for the information. Will relay this to the welder.

 

[bobs63wagon]

Jim Kramer might know.
http://www.kramerauto.com/

You could try this dude though his web page looks kind of abandoned...
https://racehemi.maxwedge.com/

I did email Kramer. Other site is probably abandoned as you say.

 

[bobs63wagon]

I could only guess it was similar to a 5052.

Thanks. I never expected to get replies, but this website always helps me.

 

[Charger Dana]

I am guessing you could assay (test) a piece, but I have no idea. I did find this though, grades/uses of aluminum:

https://www.metalsupermarkets.com/what-aluminum-grade-should-i-use/

 

[tak419]

I believe a certified welder is able to determine the type of metal or close to it. I have a friend that is certified and he Tig welded a motorcycle frame for me that had a crack. I asked if he knew the type of aluminum and he said he would be able to determine it. He said some metals are cast, some rolled, some formable and such. I guess you probably have the fender at a body shop ? I'm sure they'll be able to get it repaired.

 

[mmissile]

Kinda thread-drift.....But back in the day, my father worked at Warren Stamping and they were running aluminum parts. They were running the material in the steel dies. He said they scrapped about 80% of the panels they hit. I worked there in the late 70's, and really got to dislike the 1st-draw presses for c-body quarter-panels.

 

[rmchrgr]

A friend of mine Steve K. is a member here, good chance he might know the answer. twodoorpost is his screen name. He's not on here much but he would likely respond if you sent him a message. He is a living encyclopedia of all things Mopar and might possess more Max Wedge information than most 'experts'.

 

[greycharger]

There are a lot of aluminum alloys. Any repairs to aluminum or pot metal are more likely to be successful if you can source similar or better yet, identical material. Find a completely totaled fender and you can melt some of it and pour it into a piece of angle iron set as a trough to make rod for TIG welding.