toolman

Labor Day Weekend gave me extra day to work on the Z. Unfortunately the holiday also meant most of my neighbors headed the beach and were not around to me carry the heavier stuff. The first picture of the new subframe on the ground. Had to drag it under the car and lift on the jack stands. Second and third pictures show aligning the subframe to existing body using datum line(center line and plume line(vertical line).

The following photos show mocking up the crossmember mounting to the frame rails. The frame was leveled and checked for squareness. Then it was welded together. Next step is to mount the frame to the utilized body.

I researched all methods of mounting the engine crossmember to frame rails(both untilized or steel tubing construction. Everyone notched the frame rail to mount the crossmember. This method requires a lot of time and effort so I decided on a simpler method. I relocated the two mounting bolt holes about 3/4" inward. See photo. This method does require two holes drilled on the top of the frame rail to install frame bolts. I drilled two 1" holes directly over the crossmember bolts(inside the frame tube). Caps will cover the assess holes to prevent water from entering in.

Another view of the new front frame connector. Next step is to weld up the frame rail to firewall. Then, attach the sheetmetal side apron to the frame rails.

The front frame rail checked with bubble level. Level check was done sidewards for both front and rear section of the frames rails. Rignt side frame was checked for levelness. Left side rail checked levelness too. Both rails were also checked for squareness. This is done both measuring diagonally the opposide cotners of the frame rails. A new 2 1/2" tubing was cut to join the two frame rails together at the front.