CK5
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64 Vette….Rebuild 2.0
- Thread starter 76zimmer
- Start date
Been trying to get good measurments for a nice fitting roll bar. I deally it would be outboard of the seats, but that is into the B pillar just behind the door. The bar will be made to fit the frame kickup and follow the interior roof decently, leaving enough room to remove the interior panels if needed.
The bitch about this is, the bars need to be designed to enable lifting the body high enough to weld them in place when the body is being mounted permanently. That part’s gonna suck. A suspended body above the frame and assembling the bars inside the body.
Speaking of suspending the body…..As I was lifting the body off the frame, I had a strap slip its position (I had a bad positioning on the body, and the angle on the strap) As I lifted everything looked normal, as I got about six inches above the frame I stopped, and when I did the strap came off the body and caught the quarter panel fang and snapped it off, luckily the body fell on the frame and didn’t do anymore damage then break the fang off and break the quarter panel bond to the birdcage structure. I really messed up this time. I hang my head low in disgrace.
The bitch about this is, the bars need to be designed to enable lifting the body high enough to weld them in place when the body is being mounted permanently. That part’s gonna suck. A suspended body above the frame and assembling the bars inside the body.
Speaking of suspending the body…..As I was lifting the body off the frame, I had a strap slip its position (I had a bad positioning on the body, and the angle on the strap) As I lifted everything looked normal, as I got about six inches above the frame I stopped, and when I did the strap came off the body and caught the quarter panel fang and snapped it off, luckily the body fell on the frame and didn’t do anymore damage then break the fang off and break the quarter panel bond to the birdcage structure. I really messed up this time. I hang my head low in disgrace.
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Fiberglass is not my favorite!
I’m not so much worried about that as the painting part…Torch Red bc/cc. At least its down low where the sidepipes exit, and Im so thankful, it didn’t fubar the door.
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In my experience with my old '93 Lumina Z34, the Torch Red is very easy to blend/match. Iirc, when I spot painted, there were very few variances and the standard mix was a great match. I didn't even blend the paint and you couldn't tell the difference between panels.
*edit* I just realized that was nearly 25 years ago. Different brand's formulations have probably changed since then.
*edit* I just realized that was nearly 25 years ago. Different brand's formulations have probably changed since then.
I bet some choice cuss words were said during that debacle.
We've all done stuff like that, all we can do is fix it and move on and try our best not to do it again.
We've all done stuff like that, all we can do is fix it and move on and try our best not to do it again.
The trip to Kert’s was….wet.
It looks like it’s been in a field for a couple years now!
We made progress today by working the twist out of the frame.
Anchoring it to the table and pulling in a couple strategic spots has it sitting level again.
Tomorrow we work on the side rails.
It looks like it’s been in a field for a couple years now!
We made progress today by working the twist out of the frame.
Anchoring it to the table and pulling in a couple strategic spots has it sitting level again.
Tomorrow we work on the side rails.
I didn't know they made fiberglass '73 Chevelle bodies.
I'da never thought to weld all-thread to the table. That was used for straightening too, correct?
I'da never thought to weld all-thread to the table. That was used for straightening too, correct?
I never thought about welding all threads and steel blocks and tabs to the table for this task but it definitely makes it easier to attach exactly where you need to instead of relying on the location of the holes in a table
That’s a 74 tube chassis car he’s building. He had to get it to roller status before he could get my frame on the table.
The all thread and 2” setup blocks worked great. This experience is exactly why I came to Kert (Iron Monger Racing).
Correcting the frame was a manageable task with the right equipment. We got the twist out of the frame and all the body mounts in their place.
Today we (Kert) made big progress.
New frame rail sections (w inner splice sections). And new bottom of front crossmember.
frame welded and anchored in place before measurements are noted and cutting begins.
Plasma makes quick work of the rough cuts
Bluetooth frame rails in place!
Just joking…measuring and fitting the frame rails
Rear crossmember roughed in
Sizing up frame rail halves, getting the correct width before tacking together
Fitting the splice inserts
Tacking new rails in place
Welding new rails in place
Finish welding halves together
Seam welding
Rear crossmember welding
Plug welded inserts
It may look out of place now but in the end it will look better
straightness
Now to replace the front crossmember bottom plate
Cutting out the old spot welded in place plate
New plate welded in
Adding new lower A arm brackets
Finished…need to drill a few holes for the A arm bolts yet.
New frame rail sections (w inner splice sections). And new bottom of front crossmember.
frame welded and anchored in place before measurements are noted and cutting begins.
Plasma makes quick work of the rough cuts
Bluetooth frame rails in place!
Just joking…measuring and fitting the frame rails
Rear crossmember roughed in
Sizing up frame rail halves, getting the correct width before tacking together
Fitting the splice inserts
Tacking new rails in place
Welding new rails in place
Finish welding halves together
Seam welding
Rear crossmember welding
Plug welded inserts
It may look out of place now but in the end it will look better
straightness
Now to replace the front crossmember bottom plate
Cutting out the old spot welded in place plate
New plate welded in
Adding new lower A arm brackets
Finished…need to drill a few holes for the A arm bolts yet.
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Ready to hit the trails! 
Nice job guys!
A foundation you can feel good about!
Nice job guys!
A foundation you can feel good about!
