59 Catalina

[idrivejunk]

You You have a whole lot of welding to do there.

Is that an offer to pitch in?

Thought not... how 'bout a wordy reply?

Blissful plug welding mostly. Looking forward to that but after seats, headers, wheel, tire, and all that those involve. I have not yet welded joints on the left half of the braces yet though, and theres no reason not to stitch up edges of the rear pans and install the toe boards. Epoxy first on those though.

Reaching this point with the floor has been my mental halfway mark. Glad to be past it. I am rarely quite satisfied with my speed but am pleased with how it is turning out although I was getting a little antsy about time. My bead roller work needs more practice. Its my first full floor fab and has been tons of hard fun. If theres a next, my design process will be much more streamlined.

[enjenjo]

Yes, you're right. It takes as long to weld it as the metal work did. I have done several.

[idrivejunk]

I believe that.

[idrivejunk]

Progress...

[rumrumm]

Ahhhh--the art of the rosette weld! That sheet metal work looks amazing, Matt! And no one will ever be able to see the artistry.

[chris spokes]

nice work Matt that looks so good

[kb426]

Is there a decision made about seats? Guesstimate on welding hours?

[idrivejunk]

Guys, thanks.

KB, no. They want buckets is all I know. Boss will be back next week and I guarantee seat selection is on his plate. I would just as soon deny them buckets and explain the limitation but thats not my position. Opinions gathered here about notching are contrary to those held by crew members, boss, and the dark place. I merely hold the axe aloft and await command.

Right off the top of my head I'd like to think I could weld in the structure and pans in a day, if all prep and is done and footwell welds finished prior. But theres a day to go on the support's left half also, and of course I will do my best to weld nothing until it is time. Its not time now, not even close. But now its solid enough just screwed in, that trunk floor can be taken to the same phase. With cabin and trunk floors in this way, I'll be comfortable to move to tub mods and finally quarter patch installation.

[kb426]

10-4!

[idrivejunk]

Lets pretend for a moment that the powers that be agreed and the notch is done. Are there any suggestions concerning adding reinforcement outside the notched area? For example if another section of rail much longer than the notch were attached to the bottom of the frame? Should it bolt on? I know thats silly but what would it take? I noticed the Mother's wagon has added frame supports at the square corners ahead of the rear wheels. Could concerns about weakening the chassis be addressed by adding an outboard pair of frame rails that run from ahead of the rear wheel to the beginning of the wide front part of the frame? Lastly, if you don't approve of cutting frame at all but your customer insists, do you suggest that he find a shop that will and send it there to be notched? Or do you refuse to finish the job as soon as the need is discovered? Is the end of this game marked by a sign that says no buckets with AME hourglass frames? I'm listening.

[idrivejunk]

Not a peep? Here are pics to help visualize a supplemental frame addition that could remove a sufficient amount of stress to make bucket seats possible. Still pretending the notch has been done.

Why not , at the firewall body mount bracket (that is not provided and must be fabbed and welded to the frame, so we know its OK to weld there) add a straight piece of tubing that matches the frame that runs straight back to the front of the square rear section? If these were to be connected  to each other by low profile crossmembers running under the center frame but not touching it, would that be best? They could also just be tied to the center frame if that would suffice.

I am trying to do right and I know these are either tough questions or silly but not having much luck figuring out which. I wouldn't ask the question if it wasn't out of my league. You guys have forgotten more about this than I could ever aspire to do and I know that if the answer is silly rather than tough, I know you won't beat me over the head for not being born sooner. Not very hard anyway.

See the tiny crossmembers in place from the factory? What about those? I am told they are to be removed since only tacked. Don't know if they clear or what. But is there any validity at all in suggesting the added fore / aft rails at all?  Would a photo with the idea drawn on it bring anyone closer to a response? I can do that in a jiffy but its fairly simple to imagine. If the proposed notch is unclear I could indicate that as well but its a guess.
 :?:

[enjenjo]

Why not move the inner seat rail out enough to clear the frame? I have yet to find a seat that you can't do that on. Or use the rails from another seat. I installed some Grand Am seats on Lincoln seat bases in a Chevy a couple years ago. mI have also used Escort seats on Lebarron bases.

[idrivejunk]

Why not move the inner seat rail out enough to clear the frame? I have yet to find a seat that you can't do that on. Or use the rails from another seat. I installed some Grand Am seats on Lincoln seat bases in a Chevy a couple years ago. mI have also used Escort seats on Lebarron bases.

Headroom. I can do anything to any seat but can't put the corner of one inside the rail. I thought I explained. The seat itself, not the bracket, has to be at a spot that is inside the space occupied by the frame. The frame is actually almost in the way of the driver's butt. Any seat centered behind the steering column will have the edge over the frame rail. I am going to just stop asking and ignore the problem, it must only exist in my head. Someone who thinks theres not a problem will have to deal with it. Maybe I'll learn something if I just disregard the whole problem and finish the floor blind.

[idrivejunk]

Ready to take all the fabbed stuff back out now, to finish welding and gussetng and get epoxy on. Got the other tunnel brace tacked in today and am ready to weld the front extension on.

[idrivejunk]