fixing a holey air cleaner housing?

[Belair-o]

Howdy,
I have a buddy who is restoring a 48 Dodge Power Wagon. He purchased a used OE oil-bath air cleaner housing for the truck, and found it has holes. He contacted the seller, and the next one they sent also has holes. He would like to try and plug the holes in the housing. I asked about welding (he has stick and MIG), but he figures that if he tried that, he would blow thru the thin metal. He thought maybe using JB Weld? I wondered about glassing the inside bottom portion of the housing? Any thoughts/recommendations?
Thanks, Doug

[markm]

Are the holes rust or drilled, if metal is not too bad I have had some success using a flattened piece of copper for a backer.

[Belair-o]

Hi Mark,
The metal isn't drilled out, just has rusted out holes. So the copper backer can help from blowing out the metal when welding?
Thanks, Doug

[markm]

Yes the copper absorbs heat and does not stick to weld. HF sells a tool for this, but you can smash a pice of soft copper tube and build your own.

[55 Rescue Dog]

It's a difficult question to answer without a picture.

[Belair-o]

Hi Mark, thanks for the suggestion.
RD, I requested a pic from my buddy. For now, imagine little holes, that will just weep, or at most have a very slow, small drip.
Thanks, Doug

[Rick_L]

If the metal surface in question is flat, or a simple fairly flat curve, replacing the whole surface with new metal is a choice that may be of advantage.

[markm]

Truly a situation where a picture is worth a thousand words.

[55 Rescue Dog]

^^^

[Belair-o]

^^^
Believe me, I got the message. :-D
I did request a pic, but I can't control getting one. He has a ranch in WY, running cattle & does handyman stuff on the side. Rick, thanks for that thought!
Regards, Doug

[Rocketman]

My first thought is JB Weld. But without a picture it is hard to really say. Marine-tex would be another possibility.

[Belair-o]

Hi Glenn,
Thanks for the reply, and the suggestions (hadn't heard of Marine-tex before). I will post a pic, when I get one.
Thanks, Doug

[Belair-o]

Howdy,
Well, my friend decided to use his thought, and tin, and solder the holes in the air cleaner housing. I am sorry to have wasted your time on this issue - just trying to help a long-time buddy.
Thanks for your ideas! Doug

[markm]

Never had mush luck with solder, might work if he can get it clean enough. I have brazed a few thing sucessfully..

[Belair-o]

Hi Mark,
My buddy is pretty good at soldering, and got his holes soldered shut.
Thanks, Doug