TE-44 with a WAY Oversized Wastegate Hole

[Mountain GN]

I just posted a WTB for an exhaust housing for a TE-44 (http://www.turbobuicks.com/forums/showthread.php?t=50308)

Here's the background:

I just purchased a used TE-44 that had the wastegate hole drilled out to 1.225". Obviously, the stock puck won't seal. I talked to Steve Monroe who is sending me an oversized puck. He isn't very confident that this will fix the problem, but it's worth a try because it's only $25.

If this does not work, what are my options? I don't really have a whole lot more to spend on this car, so what would be the least expensive way to solve the problem? New exhaust housing? External wastegate? Welding up the wastegate hole?

Any ideas and/or suggestions would be greatly appreciated!

Mike

 

[Alaskabuick]

same here

I have the exact same turbo with the exact same issue. I used to have the 44 on another car with a external waste gate, so I just hawged it out not thinking about ever using is again with a stock style WG.

I as well do not think the oversize puck will fix it. I was planning on taking a old dp gasket and using it as a template to have a thin steel plate made that the puck can seal one. Not sure if it will work but worth a try, this would sandwich in between the turbo and dp.

Only other choice is an external wg.

Dennis

 

[John Larkin]

Some sort of spacer plate could be made with 1/8" steel. Just make the holes where they should be and bolt it on. Would make a nice project with the right hole saws and a jigsaw. Seal on each side of the plate with anti-seize (seriously, it's a good downpipe sealant).

 

[Mountain GN]

The plate thing is a great idea! If the oversized puck doesn't work, then this is the way we'll go!

Thanks for the suggestions!

 

[Alaskabuick]

idea

The plate thing is a great idea! If the oversized puck doesn't work, then this is the way we'll go!

Thanks for the suggestions!

Well I have been thinking about this for a long time now, so dont give me too much credit. I too was thinking about a different exh. housing.

Dennis

 

[grocerygetter]

RJC sells a plate now I think...saw it in another thread somewhere.

 

[buickturbo-t]

I had the same problem with my Ta-49. Went to the metal store and got an 1/8 piece of metal, marked my holes cut it out with a plasma cutter, grinded the edges off and it worked great. Still be on my car if I hadn’t of switched to a bigger turbo. If you get on Ebay you can find plates that are for T3 and T4 turbos to make your own Downpipe with the compressor hole already cut and all you would have to do is cut the waste gate hole. I don't know how thick they are but they were less that $15.00.