 This is the piece of tape on the rear 1/4 panel I use to reference the distance from the floor to the mark on the tape. Helps me keep track of body sag. Simple and effective. |
I’ll give the first tip right now. My dad taught me years ago that when you start cutting a car apart, basically gutting it, the remaining sheet metal will gradually start to sag. If you don’t stay on top of this you can easily end up with a car that no longer has a trunk lid that fits or, in my case, a hatch that closes. This may sound obvious to some of you but how many cars have you seen over the years that just didn’t look “right”? Personally, I’m not into slamming doors and hatches so this is very important.
In order to stay on top of the situation, I simply take two pieces of masking tape, one per side, and stick them to the outside of the rear quarter panels as far back as possible on a flat surface. It doesn’t matter if the two pieces are in exactly the same spot. Next take your tape measure and measure from some point on the tape down to the floor. It doesn’t matter if the floor is uneven or if you get the same measurement on both sides.
What matters is that once you have made a mark on the tape and written the measurement down next to the mark you never move the car. Now, as you work along and start removing the inside floor, you will always be able to go back to your measured marks and see if the body has sagged. This way before the new frame rails are welded in you can jack the body back into position at your marks and be assured that everything is where it was and should be. Simple huh? That is something they don’t ever list in instructions but will help assure a better end product.
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I couldn't resist. Here is a sneak peek into what I have done so far. Details to follow!
Well, my time this month is up and I promise next month I will get into the cool stuff and start making some “eye candy.”
As of this writing I am just about done with the mocking up and tack welding of the rear suspension and it is about time to start on the 12-point roll cage. Stay with me friends, this is gonna be sweet! Super Sweet!
Remember, there is always hope. And , when in doubt… DO A WHEELIE!!!
Sources:
| Moroso www.moroso.com 80 Carter Drive Guilford, CT 06437-2116 Phone: (203) 453-6571 |
| Competition Engineering www.competitionengineering.com |