BUILD THREAD 81 Buick/Olds Turbo Wagon 02/15/2024 More Parts!

[liquidh8]

Re: 81 Century/GN Wagon BODY IS ON ROTISSERIE Update 5/13/14

Yeah, I have the plasma cutted, so I'll make a snazzy looking hole. I forgot to answer your other question, there are a few metal supply places near me. The one I have been going too has been selling me cuttoffs and stuff, perfect for what I need, and way cheaper than the online stores.

 

[liquidh8]

Re: 81 Century/GN Wagon BODY IS ON ROTISSERIE Update 5/13/14

Update, pics later, I didn't take a whole lot, I was using my phone for the Pandora :|

I have the front front section factory welds all rewelded, the DS frame extension for the transmission crossmember is fabricated and welded in, the frame boxing plates are fabricated and in, 3 of the body mount holes are fixed, I made washers and cut out the rot, then welded in the new ones. I have the frame in epoxy primer, with the Eastwood internal frame coating on the inside.

I have to get the 1/4" plate for the notch, then repair one rear frame rail. Should be painting this coming weekend

 

[pontiacgp]

Re: 81 Century/GN Wagon BODY IS ON ROTISSERIE Update 5/13/14

that sounds good, when I made the plates to fix the body mount holes I used the the round cut out to reinforce the control arms brackets. I opened them up for the 1/2" bolts and welded them onto the control arm brackets

 

[liquidh8]

Re: 81 Century/GN Wagon BODY IS ON ROTISSERIE Update 5/13/14

that sounds good, when I made the plates to fix the body mount holes I used the the round cut out to reinforce the control arms brackets. I opened them up for the 1/2" bolts and welded them onto the control arm brackets

I didn't end up with a round cut-out, that sounds like it would have been a good use of the scraps 😀 .

I just marked out the outer diameter or the washers on the plate, then center-punched for the hole. I used a stepper bit to 1 3/8" inch, and a round file to get it to 1 1/2" hole diameter. Then a hack saw to cut the outside, and cleaned up on the bench grinder.

My holes saws were jacked up, and I didn't want to stop (and run to the store for new hole saws) so I used that method to make the washers 😀 .

 

[Longroof79]

Re: 81 Century/GN Wagon BODY IS ON ROTISSERIE Update 5/13/14

Sounds like great progress, Jim.
What did you use to make the frame extension? I guess Ed wasn't able to come thru for you on the frame repair washers, huh?

 

[liquidh8]

Re: 81 Century/GN Wagon BODY IS ON ROTISSERIE Update 5/13/14

Sounds like great progress, Jim.
What did you use to make the frame extension? I guess Ed wasn't able to come thru for you on the frame repair washers, huh?

I used the same 1/8" steel I used for the boxing plates and all. The frame extension is a few pieces fit an TIG'ed together since I don't have a brake strong enough to bend the 1/8".

Ed did get back to me, he had 2 of them, but I have been so busy, I didn't see his response till after I made my washers already.

I have been humping to get the body back on the frame so I can finish up the bodywork before August ends. :|

 

[Longroof79]

Re: 81 Century/GN Wagon BODY IS ON ROTISSERIE Update 5/13/14

Did you make the extension like the 1" x 3" tubing that's generally available...but overpriced?
My friend has an Olds Cutlass Cruiser. The Chevy 350 in it has a cracked cylinder wall. He pulled it out of the car and is putting an Olds 307 w/ 200-4R in it. He mentioned sliding the X-member back a few inches, but will run out of frame rail using the TH350 X-member. I think he's thinking of adding an extension on each side.

 

[liquidh8]

Re: 81 Century/GN Wagon BODY IS ON ROTISSERIE Update 5/13/14

Did you make the extension like the 1" x 3" tubing that's generally available...but overpriced?
My friend has an Olds Cutlass Cruiser. The Chevy 350 in it has a cracked cylinder wall. He pulled it out of the car and is putting an Olds 307 w/ 200-4R in it. He mentioned sliding the X-member back a few inches, but will run out of frame rail using the TH350 X-member. I think he's thinking of adding an extension on each side.

Jack, I made the passenger side frame rail look like the factory would have done it. I copied the frame profile, and followed it back to almost the mount. Welded it up and welded it in. I didn't make any holes for the x-member yet as I am not sure where I need them to be. I don't want to be 1/2" off.

 

[Longroof79]

Re: 81 Century/GN Wagon BODY IS ON ROTISSERIE Update 5/13/14

Jim,
I was underneath the car today. I just happened to look at the frame rails closer, and I see what you mean. Instead of the usual 1" x 3" add-on, you formed a continuation of the x-member mounting rail. That would be the best case scenario. I like that idea more than the bolt-on addition. It's welded to the frame and permanent. It ain't goin' nowhere.

 

[liquidh8]

Re: 81 Century/GN Wagon BODY IS ON ROTISSERIE Update 5/13/14

Jim,
I was underneath the car today. I just happened to look at the frame rails closer, and I see what you mean. Instead of the usual 1" x 3" add-on, you formed a continuation of the x-member mounting rail. That would be the best case scenario. I like that idea more than the bolt-on addition. It's welded to the frame and permanent. It ain't goin' nowhere.

Jack, that is exactly what I did. It is raining here today, and will be tomorrow, so I can't snap any pictures of it since it is covered up in plastic.

I did receive my braided brake lines from Tobin at Kore3, along with new c5 brake pads for the front. I also picked up a few Imperial tools tubing benders for the stainless lines I have. The tools will get used again in my lifetime so it was a good purchase. The biggie was the 1/2" tubing bender.