noticed some rust
 

I was poking around the front pan and found some thin spots.http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1107061815.jpg So a couple of hours with the plasma arc and grinder...http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1107061869.jpg Welding starts tomorrowhttp://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1107062084.jpg:eek:

Here's a tip: Make sure your front suspension pieces bolt up right before you finish. I didn't and I got a big surprise when everything was laid out and ready to assemble. These repro parts are not perfect by any means, which you will discover in due time. The alignment is OK, but the holes were too far apart for the bolts to go in w/o widening the elongated slots in the mounting bracket. No big deal, I guess, but filing and grinding on fresh powder coated pieces kinda defeats the purpose of the powder coat.

Do a trial assembly after tacking everything up and find any problems then.

aftermarket pieces
 

I have already found that the threads in the new piece are too tight to get a bolt started. I am going to run a tap through them all before I do any welding. I'm hoping that it's just the paint in there.I plan on bolting up the front of the "a" arm prior to any tacking so i may discover the need to do some more grinding.

Very nice job so far. Post the finished results if you don't mind.

pan in
 

I've got the pan all welded in. Now I am trying to position the other piece that goes on top of it. I think it's called the gas tank support. From other threads and pictures, it looks like the rear edge of that piece sits about 1/2" forward on the edge of the lip of the gas tank hole in the pan piece.It is not flush, correct?I know this is kinda wordy. Zeke? Shuie?http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1108224154.jpg http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1108224167.jpg

Looks good! Nice work!

Clean the crud from the old seal off of the tank and do a test fit with it. The panels that I had for my '73 lined up very well. I sold my car before I welded the tank support in and I never took that measurement. Sorry I cant help more than that

Here is what mine looked like.

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1108231529.jpg

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1108231583.jpg

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1108231628.jpg

I used the Restoration Design front tank support. I thought the fit was very good, although it required some minor tweeking at both ends where they contact the left and right tank supports.
I fiddled around for a while trying to get it in the exact same place as the original, but in the end it was best to adjust to the best fit and, as Shuie mentioned, check with the tank in place.



Good luck!

Tim K

Oh, to have a plasma arc just sitting around....

You guys have some valuable skills.

Nice looking work.

Regards,

Markus

gas tank support in
 

Just finished welding in the gas tank support. It took a little bit of tweeking to get it in right. The piece looked like it had been messed with before, maybe someone drove a forklift over it at the factory.:rolleyes: http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1108350615.jpg http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1108350627.jpg