Andy... I'm sorry to hear about the lazy/sorry/worthless/crackhead/lowlifes that ruined your property.



Down South they are stealing Central Air Units from homes on a daily basis......$5,000 per unit to replace them!

Hang in there!

 

I finally located a metal supplier that would sell me a single piece rather than a 4' by 8' sheet of carbon steel......

I laid out the measurements and cut out the section..........












I tapped the piece in place and welded it......(Not "pretty"...but solid)











I ground/sanded the welds and sprayed the end to prevent rust....naturally I was out of black primer and only had hammered bronze spraypaint ..............



I'll pressure test it tomorrow.

 

How did you cut it? Know I'm jealous of your skill.

 

"daughter in love" - I need to remember that. I love it.

Empty property is easy pickings for scum... Have a local guy that's been arrested multiple times for steeling metal from empty buildings. Wants the money to feed his drug habit.

You rate a consolation prize, maybe even Matt's as he's still not come forth with the needed details.

 

Great to see you back at it Doorgunner!

 

I have found that on metal less than 1/4"thick a 4 1/2" side grinder with a 1/16" cut-off wheel does a good/fast job.






It's been a slow bounce-back this year....I'll see how long it lasts and get as much done as possible.

Before I could test the fuel tank welds I had to bring mother-in-law's bathroom up to 20th Century standards (still a century short!) by installing a light/vent/heater combo in the ceiling.

The day was over but I started testing the tank weld for leaks......

The first pic is a visual as to what pinholes look like when sprayed with soapy water while the tank is pressurized to 5-7 psi.......








The next two pics show bubbles coming from two separate pinholes in the new side that I welded into place last week (two pinholes for a rookie welder is a good thing....LOL).............





I welded those pinholes closed and re-pressurized the tank to check my repair.....no leaks....








so I went to the opposite end of the tanks and checked the welds.....three pinholes on that end which I re-welded and retested.......


Tomorrow I will test the long welds across the front of the tank and do any touch-up welds if needed.

A "pinhole" in a welded seam can be "plugged shut" with a human hair because the hole is so small (of course the hair would disintergrate). Fuel tank coating would easily seal a leak that small, but I may as well repair them before coating the inside of the tank with a sealer.

 

Looking good Tony! Keep going!

 

Thanks Andy! We are in Biloxi and will see the Vette show tomorrow at the Coliseum.....I will wear my (un)Official T-Shirt.....in case members want to.........................

avoid me ......................

 

Thanks for the laugh, I would shake your hand anytime Tony.

Jack

 

Tank is looking good Tony!
Will you be welding on tabs for mounting....
or fabbing a bracket or cradle.....
or just sling it with straps?

 

To continue with it's bubba heritage he's going to use zip ties

 

Or some old C130 cargo straps.

 

Thanks Jack!






I'm going to use a cradle that bolts to the frame....."With these Louisiana drivers you need all the steel you can get around a gas tank!

















I'll try to mock up the tank under the extended cargo floor this week and start working on the cradle.

Also....in honor of my Son's "Anniversary"....... I'm using my Signature today........

 

You're an Artist, Tony!!

Semper Fi; I'll raise a glass to you on the 10th

 

Back atcha', MSGT-R!

It was a rough week with my wife's mother.....Ill get on the gas tank mounts Monday....God willing!

 

Since the rain has returned and the fiberglass work is now on hold.....

I worked up the energy/morale to buy the steel needed to make the fuel tank "cage"....it will hold the tank in place and also protect it from rear-end collisions....

The rectangular steel tubing to fabricate the tank supports.........











The motorcycle jack holds the tank in place for measurements........













The view from the rear of the car........................













Now to see if the tank is hidden from view by mocking up the lower valence.........................






The tank measurements/lowering and extending the cargo floor all worked correctly.....THE FIRST TIME!

Hopefully tomorrow I can begin cutting/fitting the rectangular tubing.

 

Measure once cut twice, I always say!

Good job. It looks great hidden away in the spare tire area

 

Thanks R.R. ! Reminder: I NEVER would have made all these mods had the car been at least 50% original/I just couldn't justify spending $40K to do the restoration.

I did the calculations on the tank size....it will hold 20 gal. No filling up every (15 x 15 = 225) 200 miles!

I am also using a donut spare until I locate a true collapsible spare for the trunk even though there is still room for 3 suitcases/2 carry-on bags/a 10' x 10' tent/two stow-away chairs/a tool kit(with bearing puller) and my wife's make-up kit(same size as tool kit---just kidding)

Traction won't be a problem.

 

Why not just put a hitch on it and haul your wagon/trailer for all the luxuries of home while on the road?!

 

With all that packed in the back, you might need wheelie bars.