Repaired bell housing - is it viable?

So I had the worst luck today and cracked my bellhouseing. A very good friend is a district manager for the water district and has several certified welders that work under her. I have read that cast aluminum can be tig welded with good results. My question is if it is a viable option for a bellhousing. It's a decent crack....

 

Looks very repairable to me from my angle.
The only reason I wouldn't is they are readily found and available.
I saw a T400 trans case welded from one side to the other, all the way across the top.
Never gave any trouble.

 

Usually only about a $40 part. Most often there is a minimum charge to spark up a welder.

 

Well, that may be for a standard housing, but this one is apparently very special per the casting number. Casting # 3779553 used on early Corvettes and HP Chevys. Here is one on Ebay for almost $600:

1960-62 Corvette & 1961-1963 Chevy 409 3779553 Aluminum Bell Housing 60 61 62 63

Even on the low end they seem to be selling for $400+. Not sure how it ended up bolted behind a 4 banger in my '42, but if it can be repaired and viable, I might just fix it, sell it to an early 'vette owner and buy a new 621 housing for under $200

 

My understanding is that any chevy small block bell housing will bolt to the 4.3. They can be had for 50 to 100 bucks. The bore size will determine which one you want for the sm 420. the 465 uses a larger hole size.
The Novak Guide to Chevrolet Standard Shift Parts Interchange

 

Should be a quick easy fix for a competent welder that is versed in welding cast aluminum.

 

I had a certified welder fix my BH years ago, still holding up well.
By the way his welds were a thing of beauty!

 

Trucks used a cast iron bellhousing up at least through the late 60's. They are available in both bore sizes and are inexpensive and were designed to hang the SM trans from with no rear support so they are stronger than the aluminum car housings.

 

Almost anything can be welded if that is your only option...........welding cast aluminum is not that easy, needs to be super clean ( acid is the best) , needs to be pre-heated and helps to know the base metal content to be able to match the filler material..........most times if I'm forced to weld on one I will try a few spots first with various filler rods..........

 

I plan on getting another one, and I was looking at the early cast replacements since weight isn't too much of a concern to me. If this was any other housing I'd just trash it. But if it can be repaired, I believe it would have value to the corvette guys, as long as the repair was done professionally. It is completely out of my league and would absolutely be farmed out to a professional welder

 

Regardless of the part number on that one, others are readily available for next to nothing. Not a problem at all.

 

I've had several like that with Corvette numbers on them. Still only got $40-$60 for them.

 

bring it to the welder by fallbrook tire ,when I did the ford t 18 swap they welded some more material onto mine.

 

Dropped it off with a welder today.