toolman

frame rail-rear crossmember to firewall close up view The frame rail extends from rear crossmember to engine firewall. Checking out the front section of frame rail from firewall to core support. Wire brushing the area for close inspection-looking for signs of corrosion. if I decide to go all the way, have to add additional supports from strut towers to bumpers mounts and one between the bumper mounts.

corrosion on old frame rails replacement frame rails using magnets to support frame rail aligning rail rear frame reinforcement I decided to replaced the corroded frame rails with 2 1/2" X 1" X 1/8" steel tubing. These rails will run from the firewall to the rear frame member. They will add additional structural strength to the body. Transmision mounts can easily fabricated by attaching crossmember to them. A 3/16" steel plate was welded to the rear frame to provide a strong location for jack stands.

Bottom view of floor after welding and removal or cleco clips and screws. As far as verdict on using structural adhesive is still pending. It works fine for small metal patches without welding. However, using it on parts that will be welded afterwards, there is some burning and smoke when welding. So although they say you weld after it dries, I think there is contamination of the welding with the smoke. I have not had a chance to test the adhesive by prying a glued portion yet. Will get back on that evaluation.

New method of attaching replacement floor pan to car body-two part structural adhesive. After applying adhesive to both sides, the replacement floor pan and body must be held together for 4 hours to cure. Cleco clips and metal screws can be used to hold panels together. Bottom view of floor pan showing screws and cleco clips Using the structural adhesive to repair a small rusted area. Tomorrow, the cleco clips and screwscan removed after welding the seams together. The screw holes will patched using the adhesive with a tooth pick and acid brush.

Thongs are acceptable wear except when welding. Hammer welding was used when both sides are accessible. Must use a dolly on backside to hammer weld flat after welding with steel rod. The advantage is the weld is flat on both sides. Any welding on the Datsun 25 gauge metal requires a lot of patience.

corner opening left front of floor pan using a bench vise slowly pound in circular pattern from inside to out. Open jaws as you increase pounded area. used the vise jaws to bend the top edge of pan after matching the patch, tack weld patch to pan check pan alignment then final weld patch