[WCSD]

I'm cleaning up my bellhousing and found what looked like a crack but seems to be some sort of defect like a casting flaw. Normally I'd ignore it but its on the inside and outside of the bellhousing. Several locations within a couple inches of each other that I can see so far, on the top, but I haven't cleaned the whole thing yet.

I'm assuming since the car drove for over 70k miles this way without it breaking apart that it's strong enough, but wondering if I should have it welded or just JB weld it and paint over?

 

[WCSD]

 

[allanjs]

IMO that's too severe for a factory defect. It looks like it was damaged and then patched. Probably blew up the clutch at some point. I'd look for a new bell housing.

 

[Larry Madsen]

I have a thread on here regarding "casting flaw or crack" issues.

Mine are only visible from the inside. The outside is clean and solid. What I have was deemed by all who looked at them firsthand as casting flaws.

Those appear much more egregious than what I had.

Mine from the inside
DSC_2858 by Larry Madsen, on Flickr
Same area from the outside
DSC_2859 by Larry Madsen, on Flickr

Mine stretched out into the bell quite a ways. Not sure if this comparison helps you any ... but FWIW.
DSC_2856 by Larry Madsen, on Flickr