Stupid decision? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

shifty · 03-15-2008, 07:47 AM

Ok, looking for some feedback and advice.

I decided (based on rust I found on old crossmember) to go with the '77 crossmember. Here are my thoughts:

Only two out of four holes on the side of the framerail line up on my '68 for bolting up the crossmember; one needs "wallering", the other needs a fresh hole. Rather than make an "L" shaped hole wallering the one out, I thought: Why not weld up the two misaligned holes, and jus redrill them? I'll never go back to a '68 crossmember. Sound crazy, considering I'm having it powdercoated and never want to touch it again?

Also, am I stupid to weld up the holes from other things, like the old 3spd crossmember I'll never use again, etc?

jlaird · 03-15-2008, 07:53 AM

weld away.

shifty · 03-15-2008, 07:57 AM

I have a magnetic copper backing plate. Is it hard to patch a hole on a vertical wall cleanly?

I think I'm going to shave the excess holes in my crossmember also (for the diff't engine mounts). Not sure I'll need those either.

gringoloco · 03-15-2008, 08:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shifty

I have a magnetic copper backing plate. Is it hard to patch a hole on a vertical wall cleanly?

I think I'm going to shave the excess holes in my crossmember also (for the diff't engine mounts). Not sure I'll need those either.

The weld will be easy, especially on a bare frame you can flip over. Grinding them smooth inside the "C" will be a pain...

gringoloco · 03-15-2008, 08:01 AM

Sounds like a lot of extra work to me, but it should make for a nice piece once it's in powder. Just make sure you mock everything up so you're not welding up any holes you might need later...

*Shane* · 03-15-2008, 08:10 AM

I'm with Gringo on this one ... sounds like a LOT of work for minimum return.

shifty · 03-15-2008, 08:12 AM

Minimum return, but here's my beef: The two holes I'd be welding for the engine mounts are less than 1mm-2mm away from the new holes I need for my mounts to work. One of the two holes for the crossmember to bolt up proper is less than 1mm-2mm from the new hole. So, if I'm welding up a lot of holes already to patch up my previous installation/hackery, and welding up other holes...is it really a lot of xtra work with minimum return?

SanitysBane · 03-15-2008, 09:15 AM

Do it! I wish I took the time on my frame and welded up all the extra holes instead of having something that looks like swiss cheese.

PBFAB.COM · 03-15-2008, 09:47 AM

You will be glad you took the extra time to clean it up.

Bishops Trucks · 03-15-2008, 09:51 AM

These trucks are alot of work to begin with when doing a frame up. I say go for it. It's the little things that bring out the detail.

smashingchuck · 03-15-2008, 10:09 AM

yeah, I would do it on my truck for sure... in fact I did weld up a lot of holes and its not even noticeable.... and it the kind of thing only you can appreciate.

Frizzle Fry · 03-15-2008, 11:48 AM

Just be warned that drilling through a welded-up hole can be a serious PITA. So if a new hole overlaps where an old one was welded up be prepared to invest in some quality bits. Otherwise I say clean-er-up!

Bishops Trucks · 03-15-2008, 01:09 PM

Good bits and keep them lubed while drilling and all should go smooth.

smashingchuck · 03-15-2008, 04:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bishops Trucks

Good bits and keep them lubed while drilling and all should go smooth.

Tap magic, and keep the bit sharp.

LONGHAIR · 03-15-2008, 07:16 PM

Magnets around the weld will cause problems. A magnet will pull the molten weld pool to it. If you use one for postioning, try to keep it as far away from the actual weld as you can. Tack a few places and remove the magnet.
I am not a fan of the copper backing either, especially in something as thick as a frame rail. You should be able to weld the edges of the hole, effectively shrinking it, until you can "bridge" it closed. If it is too big for that, it needs a patch anyway.

Like this......

shifty · 03-16-2008, 12:03 AM

The chunk of copper I have is this one: http://www.eastwoodco.com/jump.jsp?i...emType=PRODUCT

It's 4"x2", roughly, and the magnets are on the farthest corners and are tiny (but strong enough to hold it to metal.

The comment about drilling through a welded spot actually concerns me, because I'll actually need to be doing just that. Is it really that bad? I have some decent quality drill bits to work with.

jjk3 · 03-16-2008, 07:53 AM

Just keep the drill bit lubricated, and don't over speed the bit. This is where patience is a good thing to have.

I agree with the others, it's worth the extra time to fill in the holes. Good luck.

03-15-2008, 07:47 AM	#1
shifty Questionable Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Atlanta Posts: 13,373	Stupid decision? Ok, looking for some feedback and advice. I decided (based on rust I found on old crossmember) to go with the '77 crossmember. Here are my thoughts: Only two out of four holes on the side of the framerail line up on my '68 for bolting up the crossmember; one needs "wallering", the other needs a fresh hole. Rather than make an "L" shaped hole wallering the one out, I thought: Why not weld up the two misaligned holes, and jus redrill them? I'll never go back to a '68 crossmember. Sound crazy, considering I'm having it powdercoated and never want to touch it again? Also, am I stupid to weld up the holes from other things, like the old 3spd crossmember I'll never use again, etc? __________________ If I've got anything up for grabs, it'll be here: 7-hole gauge cluster for a 67-72 p/u FREE (link) I can't check the forum daily. If I don't reply to you within 24 hours, drop me a PM! I'm (hopefully) still alive and will reply faster to a PM.

03-15-2008, 07:53 AM	#2
jlaird Senior Member Join Date: May 2004 Location: johnstown, NY Posts: 2,393	Re: Stupid decision? weld away.

03-15-2008, 07:57 AM	#3
shifty Questionable Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Atlanta Posts: 13,373	Re: Stupid decision? I have a magnetic copper backing plate. Is it hard to patch a hole on a vertical wall cleanly? I think I'm going to shave the excess holes in my crossmember also (for the diff't engine mounts). Not sure I'll need those either. __________________ If I've got anything up for grabs, it'll be here: 7-hole gauge cluster for a 67-72 p/u FREE (link) I can't check the forum daily. If I don't reply to you within 24 hours, drop me a PM! I'm (hopefully) still alive and will reply faster to a PM. Last edited by shifty; 03-15-2008 at 07:58 AM.

03-15-2008, 08:01 AM	#5
gringoloco A guy with a truck Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Germany, for now Posts: 5,921	Re: Stupid decision? Sounds like a lot of extra work to me, but it should make for a nice piece once it's in powder. Just make sure you mock everything up so you're not welding up any holes you might need later... __________________ -Chris Instagram _elgringoloco_ '70 Short-Wide How to: Ruin a perfectly good C10 ‘70 Blazer ConversionHow To: Ruin a Perfectly Good 4wd '72 Highlander How To: Ruin a Perfectly Good K/5 (SOLD) '72 Blazer 2WD How to: Ruin a perfectly good Blazer (SOLD) '05 Yukon Daily Driven (not so stock) Yukon (SOLD) ‘07 Yukon Denali (daily) Members met list: SCOTI, darkhorse970, 67cheby, 67cheby'sGirl, klmore, porterbuilt, n2billet, Fastrucken, classicchev, Col Clank, GSFMECH, HuggerCST, Spray-Bomb, BACKYARD88, 5150, fine69, fatbass, smbrouss70, 65StreetCruiser, GAc10boy

03-15-2008, 08:10 AM	#6
Shane Account Suspended Join Date: Jun 2000 Location: over yonder Posts: 14,270	Re: Stupid decision? I'm with Gringo on this one ... sounds like a LOT of work for minimum return.

03-15-2008, 08:12 AM	#7
shifty Questionable Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Atlanta Posts: 13,373	Re: Stupid decision? Minimum return, but here's my beef: The two holes I'd be welding for the engine mounts are less than 1mm-2mm away from the new holes I need for my mounts to work. One of the two holes for the crossmember to bolt up proper is less than 1mm-2mm from the new hole. So, if I'm welding up a lot of holes already to patch up my previous installation/hackery, and welding up other holes...is it really a lot of xtra work with minimum return? __________________ If I've got anything up for grabs, it'll be here: 7-hole gauge cluster for a 67-72 p/u FREE (link) I can't check the forum daily. If I don't reply to you within 24 hours, drop me a PM! I'm (hopefully) still alive and will reply faster to a PM.

03-15-2008, 09:15 AM	#8
SanitysBane Registered User Join Date: May 2004 Location: Lubbock, Texas Posts: 2,121	Re: Stupid decision? Do it! I wish I took the time on my frame and welded up all the extra holes instead of having something that looks like swiss cheese. __________________ '96 Nissan Pathfinder '02 Firebird Trans Am. '88 K5 Blazer

03-15-2008, 09:47 AM	#9
PBFAB.COM Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Mesa,Az Posts: 3,981	Re: Stupid decision? You will be glad you took the extra time to clean it up. __________________ www.PorterbuiltFabrication.com Phone: 480-297-2621 E-mail: sales@pbfab.com Find us on FaceBook under Porterbuilt Fabrication Specializing in Chassis and Suspension Components for your Classic Chevrolet Truck. We offer components from the following manufacturers: Porterbuilt Accuair Ridetech (Air Ride Technologies) Air Lift Wilwood Intro Unisteer ECE Gotta Show Air Lift Borgeson CPP Supporting this forum since 2003! Last edited by PBFAB.COM; 03-15-2008 at 09:47 AM.

03-15-2008, 09:51 AM	#10
Bishops Trucks KEEP ON TRUCKIN' Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Sterling, Va. Posts: 5,730	Re: Stupid decision? These trucks are alot of work to begin with when doing a frame up. I say go for it. It's the little things that bring out the detail. __________________ JIM '97 GMC Sierra K1500 '95 Chevy Silverado C1500 '71 Cheyenne Z71 / LT1 & 4-Speed SWB K/10 Father/Son Project http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4l689JKXPnA http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/payments.php "LIVIN' FREE FOREVER"

03-15-2008, 10:09 AM	#11
smashingchuck It'd be alot cooler if you did Join Date: May 2003 Location: Three Rivers, MI Posts: 2,345	Re: Stupid decision? yeah, I would do it on my truck for sure... in fact I did weld up a lot of holes and its not even noticeable.... and it the kind of thing only you can appreciate. __________________ 78 Build Thread 4Runner Build

03-15-2008, 11:48 AM	#12
Frizzle Fry Registered User Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Hillsboro Oregon Posts: 6,449	Re: Stupid decision? Just be warned that drilling through a welded-up hole can be a serious PITA. So if a new hole overlaps where an old one was welded up be prepared to invest in some quality bits. Otherwise I say clean-er-up!

03-15-2008, 01:09 PM	#13
Bishops Trucks KEEP ON TRUCKIN' Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Sterling, Va. Posts: 5,730	Re: Stupid decision? Good bits and keep them lubed while drilling and all should go smooth. __________________ JIM '97 GMC Sierra K1500 '95 Chevy Silverado C1500 '71 Cheyenne Z71 / LT1 & 4-Speed SWB K/10 Father/Son Project http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4l689JKXPnA http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/payments.php "LIVIN' FREE FOREVER"

03-15-2008, 07:16 PM	#15
LONGHAIR just can't cover up my redneck Join Date: May 2004 Location: Columbus OH Posts: 11,414	Re: Stupid decision? Magnets around the weld will cause problems. A magnet will pull the molten weld pool to it. If you use one for postioning, try to keep it as far away from the actual weld as you can. Tack a few places and remove the magnet. I am not a fan of the copper backing either, especially in something as thick as a frame rail. You should be able to weld the edges of the hole, effectively shrinking it, until you can "bridge" it closed. If it is too big for that, it needs a patch anyway. Like this...... Attached Images

03-16-2008, 12:03 AM	#16
shifty Questionable Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Atlanta Posts: 13,373	Re: Stupid decision? The chunk of copper I have is this one: http://www.eastwoodco.com/jump.jsp?i...emType=PRODUCT It's 4"x2", roughly, and the magnets are on the farthest corners and are tiny (but strong enough to hold it to metal. The comment about drilling through a welded spot actually concerns me, because I'll actually need to be doing just that. Is it really that bad? I have some decent quality drill bits to work with. __________________ If I've got anything up for grabs, it'll be here: 7-hole gauge cluster for a 67-72 p/u FREE (link) I can't check the forum daily. If I don't reply to you within 24 hours, drop me a PM! I'm (hopefully) still alive and will reply faster to a PM.

03-16-2008, 07:53 AM	#17
jjk3 It's just a check engine lamp. Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Melbourne, FL Posts: 311	Re: Stupid decision? Just keep the drill bit lubricated, and don't over speed the bit. This is where patience is a good thing to have. I agree with the others, it's worth the extra time to fill in the holes. Good luck. __________________ Active Inliner---bigchevy66 68 SWB Stepside 250 L6/3 on the floor/ Hedman headers, HEI, MSD 6A box, K&N filter, Offy intake and Edelbrock 600cfm 4 barrel Soon to have: WC T-5 five speed 66 SWB Stepside-undergoing restoration



Register or Log In To remove these advertisements.

Register or Log In To remove these advertisements.