How do you go to shop to get cleaned up and then powder coated but in the process they noticed this crack that was not visible when the wheel was dirty.

What do you all think?

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Can a cast wheel like the cookie cutter be welded reliably?

Someone who does this sort of thing for a living could probably weld this up correctly.

@MB911
Ben can probably advise you.

It can be repaired with TIG welding pretty easy. But finishing will either require a smooth hand with a grinder or a lathe to turn it.
I repaired many of my own rims over the years when I raced and the cast aluminum on wheels is not nearly as bad as the cast aluminum on engines. The porosity of cast aluminum actually soaks up the oil and then when you try to weld it all comes out. It can be a mess. But wheels in general are much easier. the weld will still have to be built up, hence the need for clever grinding or turning on a lathe.

Edit: Just to say it, that damage was almost certainly caused by rough handling and not by use. Someone was rough with it on a balancer is my bet.

That area is not structural. You can just fill it.

Might just be cheaper to replace it. I have an ATS taking up space in my shed that you could have for free if you're willing to pay for shipping.

Thanks for all of the responses - very much appreciated.

This is a matched set off the ‘73 911T going on to the ‘74 /6 build so will try to save this. Off to a wheel specialist I go.

Very much appreciate the help.

@ThePaintedMan
Talk to me about this ATS wheel. Is it the 4 lug 5 spoke?

yes no problem

A proper repair will cost about the same as a replacement

I've had a couple of bent wheels repaired at a shop in Costa Mesa. They did a great job on both. Unfortunately, I'm having a brain fart remembering their name or address ... I'll look for their business card.

I'd never run that wheel again. No way! Not for the cost of another cookie cutter. That crack is definitely structural.

Was that WRS ? They rebuilt my HRE 505's a few years ago.

Yes it was, and my goof - they're in Santa Ana.

Here's their web site ... https://www.ocwheelrepairs.com/

I would have thought an easy fix but if Ben says no, we’ll he is 100x smarter than me about this stuff.
Will make a nice clock in the shop.

Cookie cutters can be readily had for under a $100. I would find a good one and refinish as you see fit. The matching set thing is only valuable really to original car and matching cookie cutters have no increased value like fuchs do if that is your thought process.

Or. Just go do it because thats what you want!

Where's the "I disagree" emoji? That wheel was clearly rough handled on a balance machine. Probably got thrown on or pulled off at an angle that caused the steel shaft to bind. You can tell by how the edge was pulled/flared. Further, that part of the wheel carries no more mechanical load than the centrifugal force of the center cap.

I’m also guessing a welder might not want to put their hands on it if there’s a chance after welding it could fail completely and cause an accident. Sometimes you don’t want to be the last person to touch something just to make a couple bucks.

Hose reel.

The wheel repair guys didn’t seem overly concerned about it, and it checked out his true still.

That said - if someone has a spare earlier narrow Cookie I’d like to buy it.

Thanks!

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Not bad, a little deburring and sanding to smooth out the dings, and those will be ready for powder coat!

Think so to.

Thanks again for all of the responses and help gentlemen.

I'd want to know more about the mode of failure before running a wheel that had a crack like that. It might be fine for street use only.

Generally speaking, a cracked wheel is a paperweight.

So many metallurgists show up when the subject turns to wheels cracks and weld repair lol