welding question
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 3,775
Likes: 4
welding question
ive never heard of this before, but a friend of my dads and my dad both have said the same thing.
what are the proper steps for safely welding the frame? they both said to keep the motor running while welding on the frame so that an arc doesnt seize the main bearings together.
any truth to this, or should i just disconnect the ground from the battery?
what are the proper steps for safely welding the frame? they both said to keep the motor running while welding on the frame so that an arc doesnt seize the main bearings together.
any truth to this, or should i just disconnect the ground from the battery?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 6,422
Likes: 591
From: McHenry Illinois
It never hurts to disconnect the ground from the battery. If you're welding on the frame, just make sure your ground clamp is on the frame too, the closer to your weld the better.
The only way it would hurt the main bearings is if you tried to ground your weld through the crankshaft.
The only way it would hurt the main bearings is if you tried to ground your weld through the crankshaft.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 2,316
Likes: 111
From: St Louis MO
No truth. The only way one could have the current go through the main bearings is to connect the ground cable to the flywheel or harmonic balancer and then weld! 
Seriously, think of the circuit for electrical current flow. It will be from one cable to the other, through the electrode and the work, direction depending on polarity. As long as the engine or other items are not involved in this circuit, they'll be ok.
Seriously, think of the circuit for electrical current flow. It will be from one cable to the other, through the electrode and the work, direction depending on polarity. As long as the engine or other items are not involved in this circuit, they'll be ok.
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 1,758
Likes: 4
From: Medford, Or
It never hurts to disconnect the ground from the battery. If you're welding on the frame, just make sure your ground clamp is on the frame too, the closer to your weld the better.
The only way it would hurt the main bearings is if you tried to ground your weld through the crankshaft.
The only way it would hurt the main bearings is if you tried to ground your weld through the crankshaft.
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 3,775
Likes: 4
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Advanced
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 91
Likes: 0
From: Stockton California
Electricity never goes out of its way, its nature is to find the shortest route to complete the circuit, its not going to travel anywhere it doesnt have to. Keep your ground close to your work and you will be fine. I'm thinking superstition on their part.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 2,989
Likes: 198
From: Meriden CT
I've never had any problems with welding on any car or truck. I disconnect the battery when I remember but I haven't fried any electronics even with the battery connected. I've heard of guys welding on the exhaust while the motor is running because the exhaust gasses are inert and the penetration inside the pipe will be clean, but....whatever.
Safety Car
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 3,652
Likes: 49
From: Bridgewater nj
That's an Old Skool mentality. I have heard that said on many occasions. So Don't say anything to your dad, that's the way he was schooled. But do disconnect battery. If you run your engine and weld, you may fry the module, alt, tach, ect...
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 38,281
Likes: 2,064
From: California
I have done alot of welding and will add my story.
In working on my 1965 El Camino I put the clamps close to the work area and in doing thicker sections. Have touched the car and had current run thru me, but never anything that hurt me. Actually it reminded me of when I was in the Navy and we went down to Tijuana and there are the striped donkeys for photographs and guys running around with electrical shock boxes that if you are stupid enough, you can pay them to hook you up and get juiced. Because I was the only one that didn't, I was bothered all night until drunk enough to do it and touching the El Camino with current was less severe than that. I can't see how anything short of putting the welder tip on a bearing would ever cook those fuse them. I would think that the upholstery would smolder first. 
