[45Short]

Please keep posting...this is good stuff.

 

[RifRaf]

I always appreciate the time and effort that members take to post project updates with photos!
Even if there are no/limited comments, I have a strong belief that these types of posts will be helpful to other members in the future.
Keep up the good work

 

[kimmer71]

Thanks for the encouragement. Here are some pics of the front subframe repairs i did. I tried to post them earlier this morning but tapatalk flaked out. Lets see if i can get them in here.

Had to cut out the rusted section and rebuild the structure. Beefed it up quite a bit, used 3/16” steel for the new structure. Had to work it in sections being careful to keep the control arm mounting dimensions stable. This was a challenging puzzle. I have many more pics of the process. I also stitch welded the frame rails, blasted the rest of it and primed it.

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[kimmer71]

Finished up the driver side cowl repairs. Not as good as i would have liked but at least its behind the fender. Tricky section because of all the angles and curves.

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[BLYOTH]

Looks like you are doing a good job of attacking all the problem areas. You will end up with a solid car good for another 50 years.

 

[kimmer71]

Yeah. I forgot how difficult butt welding sheet metal is. I have much to learn in this discipline. Im sweating the quarters and they are on the “not too distant” horizon. Im very reluctant to flange on curved panels but those things are going to miles of stitch welds otherwise.

Eastwood makes a tool “Perfect” something or other that puts a bevel on the edges for butt welding. Thinking of trying that. Seems like a sound strategy with less distortion.

In the meantime, my floorpans and fuel cell came in. I can go to work on them. The fuel cell will bring on more fabrication. Im considering using round tube for the structure...because i have some.


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[J Mark]

I was the same way with butt welding but practice will get you there. The tough part is when you're butt welding up to metal that looks okay but you cant see how compromised by rust it is on the backside thus burning through. Frustrating!!! You probably know this but avoid doing flux welding and do true MIG with argon. Stitch welding is the only way to go with these projects. I did do some lap welding of the floor pans in the beginning without flanges welding both sides and properly sealing. Came out looking great and I have no regrets. You are doing a great job eliminating the rusted parts out. It's all worth it in the end. I had to do the exact same section on the cowl as you did. The Nova's all seem to rust the same way.

 

[kimmer71]

Jumping right into the next challenge. Floor pan, toe-kick and body mount repair. I've been reluctant to cut this much metal away from the body mount and surrounding structure considering its holding the car up on the rotisserie. So far its been good. No shifting or pinching as I cut. Scratched my head for a while last night staring at it. I think I finally have a plan of attack. I'm trying to be smart and think through the entire repair so the pieces come together clean. The floor pan will probably be the biggest challenge of the whole process. Bonus = I can weld the cage bars fully now!

 

[J Mark]

You may have already figured this out but do all the interior body work that you can while the car is on it's side. It's great being able to go through the windshield opening and being able to stand inside. I missed a couple things and now I'm hating life trying to contort myself inside the car.

 

[kimmer71]

You may have already figured this out but do all the interior body work that you can while the car is on it's side. It's great being able to go through the windshield opening and being able to stand inside. I missed a couple things and now I'm hating life trying to contort myself inside the car.

Yes! I was in there a good bit today. Ive already done the seats. Still have cage bars to fully weld too. Anything else i may be overlooking? Appreciate the heads up.

Heres where i am at the end of today. Managed to get all (Driver side FP, toe kick) the rot cut out. Cleaned up some flanges. I keep a small shop vac nearby to periodically clean up my mess and keep the car clean.

I’ll start piecing it back together tomorrow night. 20ga for the toe kick and 14 ga for the body mount. Not sure if I’ll need to roll any beads in the toe kick. Ill see how the panel shapes up first.


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[kimmer71]

Whoops...i meant passenger side.


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[J Mark]

Yes! I was in there a good bit today. Ive already done the seats. Still have cage bars to fully weld too. Anything else i may be overlooking? Appreciate the heads up.

Heres where i am at the end of today. Managed to get all (Driver side FP, toe kick) the rot cut out. Cleaned up some flanges. I keep a small shop vac nearby to periodically clean up my mess and keep the car clean.

I’ll start piecing it back together tomorrow night. 20ga for the toe kick and 14 ga for the body mount. Not sure if I’ll need to roll any beads in the toe kick. Ill see how the panel shapes up first.


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Checked out the rest of your build today, not much more I can offer you're doing a great job. Your build is quite extensive, looks awesome.

 

[kimmer71]

Thanks buddy and yes, this project has certainly experienced some “mission creep”. My goal in 2011 was to build a car that could stomp the factory muscle cars. The industry has certainly outclassed me in that regard. Now my goal is to finish it this year, or get close at least.

I tried to find a build post of yours but couldn’t figure it out on this mobile app. I sat out there scratching my head looking at my current task. Finally came up with a workable plan to start piecing things back together.

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[J Mark]

Perfect use for file folders.

 

[kimmer71]

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[kimmer71]

Finally burned this piece in. Set up the bead roller for the next piece.

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[BLYOTH]

Man you just keep banging away at it. Good job!

 

[kimmer71]

Man you just keep banging away at it. Good job!

Thanks man - more tonight! Not sure how long this new-found determination will last but I'll run with it for as long as it does.

 

[kimmer71]

This is where i ended up with the passenger toe panel/front body mount metal repairs

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[kimmer71]

Finished the passenger floorpan finally.

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