gtmsomeday

Welding on the frame has to be really satisfying. Are you going to powdercoat it?

SuperBuickGuy

Spray it with KBS coating (like POR15 only sprayable).

SuperBuickGuy

how to eat an elephant

time to fill holes


make squares


weld into place




this brace isn't totally needed but it will keep the frame solid when I drop the cradle

finally weld the upper shock mount


more soon. I need to finish up, the more I look at this frame the worse it is.... passenger rail actually bows up.... for those curious, the datum line is the bar that runs behind the seats. it's square and squares everything I put on.. so where the metal goes to reach that point (as long as it doesn't interfere with the body) is fine.

SuperBuickGuy

today's fun, motor mount
the problem, passenger side is low

CAD assisted design

now in metal

I need to do the front side now.editededited

Then onto the passenger side.edited I started here because the mount was pretty floppy with all the metal removed, now it isn't so I can move back to leveling the motor in the chassis (once I'm finished with the driver's side)

SuperBuickGuy

and for those curious. my pictures are loading faster because I figured out the issue with Imgur. Imgur was trying to load the full picture. Many forums downsize the pictures before putting them on the forum. CF doesn't do that (which is nice for detail shots), but it makes for a long, long load. From here on - they're loading as large thumbnails - so if anyone wants the detailed pictures, do ask.... but for now, you get a bit blurry and a lot faster loading.

SuperBuickGuy

time to finish up the front
driver side


passenger side

off a bit


which meant a quick install and removal of the motor

chop and move up


then turn it around and get to work on the back

SuperBuickGuy

so we got a bit of snow today

as is normal, everything shut down. I went to work, enjoyed the commute because it was pretty much just me
so I came home and did stuff

first box the rear attachment points in


started boxing the bottom - my plan is to flip the frame over the weld the bottom



what I haven't decided is if I need to attach the kick-ups to the cross bar on the old frame....

the frame could use some strengthening and perhaps now is the time to try some new things.... I dunno

SuperBuickGuy

first step tonight was figuring out what is wrong with this stupid thing.... it goes through consumables very quickly. blew the dust out... didn't make a difference. checked the torch (pulled it apart), nothing there seemed terribly amiss.... but now I'm out of consumables...



then boxed this



next is flip the frame over... so I don't make a mess... drain the diff...

looks good, only had 30k miles..

SuperBuickGuy

a bit further



and now flip the frame over




lots easier to weld this way

SuperBuickGuy

the snow is great, best of all, I get more time on this
front end disassembled

mental note, that makes the rear heavier....
so let's disassemble it as well

I did get more welding in on the frame rails

what is that term - it's a 50/50 chance you did it wrong... wrong, I think it's more like 100%... in the case I have to cut the e-brake cable bracket to remove the rear assemblies

it's apart


and now, because of the snow, I'm wondering if I should just clean it well then paint it... I'll have to decide after tomorrow - there is a bunch more welding to do.... once that's done, it'll be time to get it clean so I can paint and start reassembly for real.... which is good, I'm running out of places to stash C3 parts.

SuperBuickGuy

thread protectors


hey look, cheap disks explode - it's why I wear expensive, safety gear


welding up final holes


Tomorrow, grinding then hoping the snow goes away enough to take the frame to be blasted.... if not, I'm sure I'll think of something

SuperBuickGuy

today started with deciding I'm not using this (still).... it's an aftermarket, bolt-in cross member but I think the stock, welded cross member is stronger


So I did what was naturally the next step, I cut out more of the frame (so the purists will cry, I guess)
just for the record, this isn't a discussion - this is what I'm doing, like it, hate it.... don't care.



as I cut it apart, nothing popped out of shape - which is good, considering how pretzelled this frame is


and just like that, 40# lighter



now to figure out how to put the upper shock mount back... no... how much floor I'm willing to cut out to put the shock in the right place


isn't there anymore.

gtmsomeday

so close to blast... tie bar for the rear coil overs and off
[/QUOTE]

Plumb Bob photo bomb! BLAST IT!!! It is SO pretty!(I know you don't care) This is Awesome. I'll take two!

SuperBuickGuy

time to start bending up some DOM


as shock mount braces




good night frame

SuperBuickGuy

17 gallon tank....



move the frame up to where I can work on it easily



and fasten it in place







and sometimes you just gotta take a break and park on the snowbank

SuperBuickGuy

last few things.... first brace the shock mount


then box the end




all that is left is finishing the tank mount, then off to blast. I expect to haul it there on Friday.
in other news I finally pulled the trigger on the Miller multimatic 220. I'll offset the cost by selling my other tig machine and probably my mig as well (I say that with a lump in my throat because that machine is kick-*** and I really don't want to see it go)

SuperBuickGuy

final welding




time to blast.... after I find one....

SuperBuickGuy

a bit of machining the spindles



it doesn't take much, now to redrill the holes

SuperBuickGuy

back to the tank



there's a muffler hanger that, if closed, would make a great tie-down-pull-point, so I did



one more body test fit



I'm glad I did, more clearance work necessary


final fill of holes and making sure all the welding is done


front looks good enough


there.... apart and ready for blast and paint



and on the trailer for a ride to blasting.... getting the trailer out was an adventure... ugh


back on its dolly


then spent a bit of time tonight milling on the other spindle

SuperBuickGuy

Sand blasting happens next week, to prepare.... time to blow the rear apart
but first, GM uses johnny joints.... since these suckers cost $80 each in the wild, there may be another source

together

all marked and ready to be stripped



that johnny joint thing, though.... it makes me happy....