Weights Formulas

Here are few of "rules of thumb" that I have used for the last 40 years.



1) Steel: 1 foot by 1 foot by 1/4" = 10 pounds; Not exact but plenty close enough.
2) Transmission cast aluminum: 24 pounds per cubic foot. For small pieces of cast that will fit in barrels, just a hair more.
3) Aluminum transmissions: 22% aluminum, 3% dirty (50%) aluminum, 75% iron. Have not checked this in over 10 years, but with newer transmissions the aluminum ratio is probably higher, so no matter what, using these numbers you will never get hurt.
4) Iron transmission scrap: 60 pounds per cubic foot.
5) Yellow brass transmission scrap: 600 pounds per 55 gallon barrel.
6) Older inline aluminum automatic transmissions: 120 pounds average per. Some as low a 100, others at 145. Some later ones weigh in at 200 pounds.
7) Older aluminum automatic transaxles: 140 pounds per.
8) Older inline aluminum standard transmission/transaxles: 70% of above, buy 2 for 1 automatic price.
9) All cast iron transmissions: Weights all over the board, but safe buying at 2 for 1.
10) Transfer cases: All over the board but safe buying at 2 for 1.
11) Cast iron blocks, short and long mixed: Don't remember the exact formula but I think it was 57 pounds per cylinder plus 400 pounds per block divided by two = average weight. If they are all long blocks, at least 50% higher. Some long blocks push 800 pounds depending upon how "long" they are.

With these I can look at a pile of scrap and buy without losing my shirt and without wasting time weighing everything. Go in, spend a short time looking, make an offer, then either load or leave.