Finally got some time to start on the Metal work! Took this week off to concentrate, and to “isolate” myself for a bit from all this TP-Corona-hoarding Insanity! I’m just hesitant, measure 4 times! Then cut! I’m a little nervous! This is a family car, not your average Hoopty! Wish me Luck!
Both sides: Even though the passenger is made of bondo, its pretty close to original. Gonna leave it until I build the other side! Ok, im gonna separate the frame and body!.....Gulp! No going back now!
And remember the wise words a now deceased friend gave to me when I was going to embark on a similar project when I first started out many years ago. "It"s only metal, trust me, you can't f#$k anything up so bad that it can't be fixed." Those words gave me the confidence and reassurance I needed to make the first cut. I've never looked back, but often thought about those words. Good luck and keep us posted.
Thanks For the Encouragement! Moving along quickly now! With the body up! Start with frame repair. Not that bad, just ugly! Made a template, and holes for reference.
It is a lot less scary once you take the plunge. Looks like you have it pretty much figured out. Has that body ever been off the frame? -Abone.
Take a suggestion? Before I cut into the frame etc I would be making a substantial brace from a frame jig and bolting to some of the holes at the rear of the frame, they would be my witness points and hold things together. I see you don't have a frame jig but you can 'make do' with a substantial steel plate wider than the frame and weld some 2 x 2 uprights with a 'flag' that bolts into the frame. I'd also get rid of the rear end. As nice a car as that one is, its worth the effort and I can tell from your templates that you are going to do it right. I'd be making sure each of the frame horns are the same and make a jig to keep them that way before you cut.
Moving along nicely! Had to cut the inner piece out too! Luckily the traction bars, and rearend mounts are bracing it. Only the curves, and top channel are really holding it. Any more, and it might collapse. Only way to get to the back side! Ill weld the patch, then replace the bottom curve flat section then weld back in the inner piece, it will work. Ill clamp angle iron later, when i line the x member inner piece back in. Yeah its the redneck way, oh well. Too late
Ran out of Gas! I think? But got this far! Gap is a little bigger than I like, But Im pretty good at stitching! More penetration, less warping that way. Have to move around doing it that way! Pretty good for one day though!
I'ts a little late now but a trick one the guys taught me is to weld in the inner rail piece first from the backside so there is less weld dressing and you can shoot some rust preventative on it begore covering it up with the face plate.
Yeah, I can do that still in reverse. I haven’t welded the inner in yet, cause I wanted to weld both sides but with the gap I have, probably don’t need to now, but we’ll see. I got a bunch of rust conversion juice, to paint on everything and in between.
wonderful job your doing it will be worth the work and time you put into it its not just a car you want to replicate your family car with it is the car so much more value on a personal level
Kicked Butt Today! Formed some curved patches on a vice, and ball-peen hammer formed, it also hardened the Crap out of it too! Hella strong! Just need to finish the bottom Tricky welding upside down! Wire wants to melt into the cup! Feeling Good So Far! Ef’ that Corona BS!