toolman

First photo is the "before picture" of the left side of frame rail. Notice 1" gap. Second pic is 3/4" X 2" right angle 20 gauge sheetmetal welded to subframe and existing sheetmetal Third picture is outside view of right angle connecting pice welded to subframe and wheel housing. Fourth pic is an additional 20 gauge 3" wide and about 48" long welded to the subframe and existing sheetmetal. This will provide additional strength and looks better. Fifth photo is right side frame rail with connecting right angle support plate. Sixth pic shows welding the right side "cover plate'" to sheetmetal and subframe. Seventh photo is engine compartment view of the subframe and connecting piece. All the mig welds will covered with urethane seam sealer after media blasting. Next step is construct tension rod support brackets for both sides.

First photo is the left side frame rail with the frame connector welded to the firewall. Second picture is the passenger side frame and frame connector welded to the firewall. I was glad that put a 16 gauge reinforcement plate under the frame rail. Otherwise, welding 1/8" frame to 23 gauge firewall would be extremely difficult.

The first picture show a better view of the plumb line. The second photo show the left suspension mockup. The third picture is of the right side suspension mockup. The fourth photo is a closeup of the left side crossmember. Note the two 1" assess holes in the top of the frame rail. The holes will capped off later to prevent water and debris from entering.

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.