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Build Thread '83 T-top Coupe - Welding Holes in My Rear
- Thread starter Davedacarpainter
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Man I would love to weld those frame rails up! I LOVE to weld, and I love to paint. I am mediocre at both tasks! Looking good Dave!
- Jul 7, 2005
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I can't wait to make more noise today. I was up at 5:00 this morning. The neighbors just m i g h t complain a little if I started grinding then, lol.
Today I weld it in! When I get through with that I'll fit the radiator support, not weld it in quite yet. I've got some other hair brained ideas I want to try out today.
Today I weld it in! When I get through with that I'll fit the radiator support, not weld it in quite yet. I've got some other hair brained ideas I want to try out today.
- Jul 7, 2005
- 1,563
- 1,110
- 164
Knock out all the little prep stuff and then grind away when you can. Just be careful of the squirrels today 
I just binge read your summary thread- can't decide which color I like better; the Kona Blue, or Booger's new color. In highschool, my step bro had a '69 Buick Skylark that was the most insane color of metallic green ever created, and the green shown here sort of reminds me of that.
I'm in Maryland, or I'd already be pestering you to paint my '89 GT project.. It is clear, Booger will be better than factory new when you're done!
I'm in Maryland, or I'd already be pestering you to paint my '89 GT project.. It is clear, Booger will be better than factory new when you're done!
I dont think I will ever be the type to be up at 05:00, willingly. What time do you consider ok to start making noise?
- Jul 12, 2017
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Good work Dave. Can’t wait to see this all come together. I know what you mean about gijng out to the garage just to stare at the work completed. 
You sure you don’t wanna go the @tannerc91gt tube front end route, be easy to do right now 
Just kidding dave-Amazing progress so far buddy
Just kidding dave-Amazing progress so far buddy
I really love the tubular front end he used on his previous car. I considered it for awhile as well. If it had a smoother transition into the rear are of the engine bay I would've been sold. I'll be happy with just a tubular lower radiator support.You sure you don’t wanna go the @tannerc91gt tube front end route, be easy to do right now
Just kidding dave-Amazing progress so far buddy
I actually haven't been to Tulsa in over ten years. Wouldn't mind coming up just to check out your brain and pick the booger. Wait a minute...
I'm out in the garage, happily plugging away. Got the rear of the new frame rail welded in, things are golden. I swear the Swedish Bikini Team was coming up the drive way...........
I just wanted to do a perimeter weld around the rear bracket on both sides. Got the outside done, come around to the inside and my welds go nuts. Sputtering and popping, I literally had hot pants. Luckily no flames.
I ran out of argon......I though I was pretty low. Oh well, I'll get a new bottle monday and finish welding the rest of the rail. Mainly the new front upper cap and the line that's used to allow the slight arch in the rail.
So the rear area up through the strut tower is welded, probably good enough, but again I will finish the perimeter weld around the rear bracket. Also the upper crush tubes plate and sway bar mount. I'm close.
The top cover for the crush tubes fit nicely, I didn't get it welded on yet. Holes line up fine though. If someone buys this kit, the instructions talk of bending the rail down to match up to the top cover, it's pretty easy. I used vise grips mainly.
By his stage I knew I was screwed for anymore welding today, so I fitted up the radiator support one more time and check my measurements again. Funny how good they are to the original.
You'll notice the ears that wrap around the radiator support are longer in the new frame rail than the original. I ended up cutting a half of an inch of them
I ground some of the welds, but I tired of that fairly quick.
I need to bring home my body hammers tomorrow to straighten the upper radiator support mounts and weld up some holes and tears there.
One last picture with the Scott Rod panels sitting in place. Luckily I know what to do to make these look nice after having done Doby's.
I just wanted to do a perimeter weld around the rear bracket on both sides. Got the outside done, come around to the inside and my welds go nuts. Sputtering and popping, I literally had hot pants. Luckily no flames.
I ran out of argon......I though I was pretty low. Oh well, I'll get a new bottle monday and finish welding the rest of the rail. Mainly the new front upper cap and the line that's used to allow the slight arch in the rail.
So the rear area up through the strut tower is welded, probably good enough, but again I will finish the perimeter weld around the rear bracket. Also the upper crush tubes plate and sway bar mount. I'm close.
The top cover for the crush tubes fit nicely, I didn't get it welded on yet. Holes line up fine though. If someone buys this kit, the instructions talk of bending the rail down to match up to the top cover, it's pretty easy. I used vise grips mainly.
By his stage I knew I was screwed for anymore welding today, so I fitted up the radiator support one more time and check my measurements again.
Funny how good they are to the original.You'll notice the ears that wrap around the radiator support are longer in the new frame rail than the original. I ended up cutting a half of an inch of them
I ground some of the welds, but I tired of that fairly quick.
I need to bring home my body hammers tomorrow to straighten the upper radiator support mounts and weld up some holes and tears there.
One last picture with the Scott Rod panels sitting in place. Luckily I know what to do to make these look nice after having done Doby's.
- Jul 12, 2017
- 2,474
- 1,348
- 173
When you’ve been in the business long enough, painters become bodymen and bodymen become painters. Nice work Dave.
Ain't that the truth, I'm like a bodyman that has at least 50% of his brain left.
So here's my thinking in the repair of the left frame rail.................In an accident the passenger may die due to the frame rail piercing their body. The welds will still be holding though. So a double thumbs up to Dave and his dead passenger!
I've been drinking all sorts of funny things this evening, maybe that'll explain these thoughts in my head.....
https://www.cjponyparts.com/ford-ra...ss-351-block-575-hp-rear-sump/p/M6007Z460FRT/
Oooooooh that's pretty. It'll be the summer after the next before I get the drivetrain under control. This is just in case my brother's 351 goes away with the wind like everything else in my life.
Wouldn't that be just ultra badass?! I was considering an '18 coyote for the longest time too. Something about them old pushrods though. 575/575 and no forced induction. I just took a shower and yet I feel a cold shower might help me right now.
Lots of time to consider, what do y'all think?
https://www.cjponyparts.com/ford-ra...ss-351-block-575-hp-rear-sump/p/M6007Z460FRT/
Oooooooh that's pretty. It'll be the summer after the next before I get the drivetrain under control. This is just in case my brother's 351 goes away with the wind like everything else in my life.
Wouldn't that be just ultra badass?! I was considering an '18 coyote for the longest time too. Something about them old pushrods though. 575/575 and no forced induction. I just took a shower and yet I feel a cold shower might help me right now.
Lots of time to consider, what do y'all think?
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I think a 460 is a big heavy anchor for the front of a fox. Brute power, but your rear tires may come off the ground if you hit the brakes too hard. And trying to corner over 35 mph may be better suited for your truck...
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