Westi has asked me to find out, as I want to cut the bell housing section off a stuffed Beetle gearbox and then weld on a plate to this section where I have cut through. Westi said there are some materials that he doesn't have the correct welding rods for and might not be able to weld it. This being why I want to find out what they are made of.

I want to use the bell housing section as a jig to mount my motor onto and then mount this onto my normal engine stand. I hope this all makes sense. I have attached a photo that I found on the net, showing something similar as to where I may cut the gearbox, but obviously I need to other section not shown here (bell housing).

Thanks, Kevin

magnesium and aluminium

Well the engines are made from Magnesium alloy which if gets hot enough to burn, as in an engine fire, is very difficult to extinguish.. and burns very hot..

Not sure on the gearbox...?
maybe more aluminium than magnesium??
maybe all aluminium...?

Lee

chuck one on a bonfire you'll soon know if its mag
pretty sure they are tho

if your just looking for an engine stand with starter motor why not get a kombi bellhousing?
they unbolt separate from the gearbox

Thanks for the quick replies. Don't think I will stand to close if I throw one in the fire, just in case. And yes, getting a Kombi bell housing would be a lot easier, just need to find one. Also, its just that I have the gearbox which cost me nothing.

Cheers, Kevin

why not cut the box where you can drill and tap it to attach the plate you want to put on

It is the same alloy as engine case and it can be welded...the picture on the top is a jig for setting up the box...

magnesium

he can cut a strip of an old gearbox and use as a filler rod if he aint got a weld rod