How to tell if a bracket is made out of cast iron or steel?

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How to tell if a bracket is made out of cast iron or steel?
krewzlo avatar
krewzlo
+1y
I am trying to figure out if my stock bracket that holds the a/c comp and p. steering pump is cast iron or cast steel. Is there an easy way to figure it out? Does a magnet stick to cast iron?
bodydropped85 avatar
bodydropped85
+1y
i think magnets stick to cast iron, what year truck/motor we lookin at?
krewzlo avatar
krewzlo
+1y
It is on a 2000 c3500 7.4 litre. I had to cut it down to fit my a/c compressor under my hood with the body drop. I was planning on welding to it but I was able to make some brackets bolt on to it. It looks like steel but it cut very easy with a sawzall and its like 1/4" thick so it must be cast. thanks for your help

wht01ranger avatar
wht01ranger
+1y
also can go by looks of the surface

typically manufacturers will not take the time to have a smooth machine finish on cast parts, that's why they cast them to begin with to save time on machining, which also depends on the casting procedure used.

if it is a steel part it will be finished since it had to have been machined to take its shape. so cast parts typically will have a rough surface finish, most of the time, but not always.

lowboy msports avatar
lowboy msports
+1y
CAST ALUMINUM I BELIEVE
krewzlo avatar
krewzlo
+1y
I know this one is not aluminum because a magnet sticks to it. Although alot of those brackets are cast alum. Anyways problem is solved I just bolted to it instead of welding. Thanks for your help, John
Low_SST avatar
Low_SST
+1y
yea it is tappable and that works very nicely, if you want to make it sit perfectly can face the hole and make it truely flat.