Welding a ring gear to flywheel

[ducktapeguy]

I've got a 1975 Jeep DJ with a torqueflite 727 that has a strange problem. The ring gear came off the flywheel, so the starter doesn't engage. Fortunately, I was able to pop it back on using channellocks through the starter hole and the inspection plate, but it still pops off occasionally. Would there be any negative side effects to putting a few spot welds all around the flywheel to hold the ring gear in place? Hopefully I'd try and keep the welds to a minimum, and space them equally so as not to affect any balance. Eventually I'll have to get around to replacing it, but it might not be for a while.

 

[grant5127]

Being what it is, I'd give it a try..... might be best to do a spot then the next one straight across from it and keep that sequence going just in case there might be some warpage effect going on.... plus like you said, try to keep the spots uniform for balance reasons..... I've done this on tractor motors before with no ill side effects.....

 

[Mace]

measure carefully and small welds. It won't take much..

 

[ducktapeguy]

Thanks, I'll probably give it a try. Eventually it'll get fixed right, but right now I just need to keep it running so at the very least I can move it to rearrange the other cars.

 

[nuclearlemon]

going to throw your flywheel out of balance and make sure they welds aren't rubbing.

 

[Wile E Coyote]

Don't weld too hot, that "flywheel' you've been referring to is actually the torque converter. It being hollow, leaves the very remote possibility of actually creating a leak in the TC. Again, a pretty damn far stretch, considering it's probably 1/8" minimum at where the starter ring welds on.
Try to find the broken welds and just use them to locate the new 1" long, and relatively shallow welds.
A new stock converter should be <$60.