GT fenders:"If I had it to do over again, I'd....", For those of you who have put them on. Options

[Zeke]

I've always thought that the best way to begin a project is to ask those who have been there before.

I have a 914 here and some GT fenders to weld on. Being somewhat of a panel beater and welder, I'm going to use the typical methods, Clecos for mock up, panel clamps for alignment and a MIG welder to tack.

The only departure from what I've done in the past is that I'm going to butt weld the fenders using oxy/acetylene with a micro (or aircraft torch) and some ER70S-6 rod, which is very malleable post weld. I will dolly all the welds as I go before any grinding. If necessary, I will shrink as I go as well. From the best info I can find, this is how the factory did things like GT's and some of the 911 factory race cars.

I usually go over my welds with a light on the back side looking for pinholes and braze them. As further insurance, I use lead over the seem as needed to finish.

However, I know there are a couple of pitfalls to watch for and that's why I'm posting. I've seen some incredibly nice work here. I hope to be that best welds thread for 2009. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

[Zeke]

I just finished reading Root Werks (Dan) thread on his technique. (I do know how to use the search (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)) Thanks for a good write up. I'll keep that thread BM'd!

[J P Stein]

ZEKE IS BACK!! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/cheer.gif)

you poor misguided sumbitch.......

[Zeke]

ZEKE IS BACK!! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/cheer.gif)

you poor misguided sumbitch.......

Hey, JP long time, eh? Well, you can't take some things away....

A lotta these newer guys have no idea, do they?! I know I'll get the razz from SLITS and the gang.

...but, it's not my car.... (IMG:style_emoticons/default/sad.gif)

[J P Stein]

...but, it's not my car.... (IMG:style_emoticons/default/sad.gif)

Aw shit.

[SirAndy]

I have nothing useful to add to this thread, just wanted to say hi ...

Hi!
(IMG:style_emoticons/default/bye1.gif) Andy

[r_towle]

Hi Zeke,

To the poster...torch/hammer weld will certainly make your weld alot more workable...mig weld suck to hammer..they crack.

Torch creates alot more heat and you will need to be carful as you weld over the top of the flare..the top area will warp and deform if you go to fast.
One trick a hot rod guy showed me that works great is to have your 4 inch grinder all setup with a wire wheel and ready to go.
Weld a bit, then immediately pick up the grinder and wire brush the area you just welded to spread out the heat quickly and dissapate the heat...it works great.
I hate brass....it sucks under paint and tends to create all sorts of problems with modern paints...I have a nice small area to fix on my car due to brass...I would not use it, just stick with lead and allmetal.

Rich

[scotty b]

You could do that wire brush, grab and juggle trick ( Remember Rich, he will have an open flame in his hand) or just keep your air hose by you with a blow chuck in it. Just thinking out loud. Not like I'd ever do that (IMG:style_emoticons/default/rolleyes.gif)


BTW way torch do you have? We got a Meco a couple years ago, neat torch, REALLY light and tiny.

[r_towle]

You could do that wire brush, grab and juggle trick ( Remember Rich, he will have an open flame in his hand) or just keep your air hose by you with a blow chuck in it. Just thinking out loud. Not like I'd ever do that (IMG:style_emoticons/default/rolleyes.gif)


BTW way torch do you have? We got a Meco a couple years ago, neat torch, REALLY light and tiny.

OK, so maybe its a bit tough with a torch...but it does work.
I use it with the mig...alot easier to drop the mig.

Rich

[JoeSharp]

Hey Mr. Speed, it's good to hear from you. I'll be following this very closely. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/popcorn[1].gif)

[Zeke]

I have 2 Meco's. They are really nice. AFA having heat in hand, I will be using so little gas I can hang it on a stand with a hook while I do a wire wheel or dolly work.

(IMG:http://www.tinmantech.com/assets/images/Mecoinhand1.jpg)

Many years ago, I watched a fantastic craftsman gas weld top fuel dragster noses. He had the coolest thing I've ever seen, a flame reducer for when the torch was on the hook. Pick it up and it lit off again to his previous setting.

After lurking around the welding forums for awhile, I came to understand that Sears sold these. That means someone made them and they were available elsewhere, but I could never find out any more info. I have to think the aircraft welders of the WWII era had these.

Kinda like a trigger start plumber's torch, but it was always burning with a little flame. There's a roofing torch that does the same.

It's no secret I'm totally old school. Yet, I go faithfully to welding school at the local college because it's cheap, I can take in projects and I can use equipment I could never afford to buy.

When you grab the torch of several thousand dollar machine, it's just fun. No work, the computers inside are doing most of the work these days allowing for so so welders to do nice work.

(Who's Mister Speed?)

[KaptKaos]

Zeke,

You have a PM.

[JoeSharp]

Why Zeke Speed of course. Zeke being your first name. Mr. Speed.

[kconway]

Here's the victim...


Zeke's done all the rust repair on this car for me including hell hole repair, marker light delete and pretty significant fender repair of a PO's shotty bondo job 1/4" thick. I've decided to do the GT flare install on this and complete repaint.

His services come very highly recommended.

Kev

[r_towle]

I have 2 Meco's. They are really nice. AFA having heat in hand, I will be using so little gas I can hang it on a stand with a hook while I do a wire wheel or dolly work.

(IMG:http://www.tinmantech.com/assets/images/Mecoinhand1.jpg)

Many years ago, I watched a fantastic craftsman gas weld top fuel dragster noses. He had the coolest thing I've ever seen, a flame reducer for when the torch was on the hook. Pick it up and it lit off again to his previous setting.

After lurking around the welding forums for awhile, I came to understand that Sears sold these. That means someone made them and they were available elsewhere, but I could never find out any more info. I have to think the aircraft welders of the WWII era had these.

Kinda like a trigger start plumber's torch, but it was always burning with a little flame. There's a roofing torch that does the same.

It's no secret I'm totally old school. Yet, I go faithfully to welding school at the local college because it's cheap, I can take in projects and I can use equipment I could never afford to buy.

When you grab the torch of several thousand dollar machine, it's just fun. No work, the computers inside are doing most of the work these days allowing for so so welders to do nice work.

(Who's Mister Speed?)

Would you please provide a link to the torch setup you have there???

Rich

[rick 918-S]

Hi Zeke!

I love gas welding. I grew up with a torch and arch welder in hand.

Here's a link for ya rich.

http://www.tinmantech.com/html/meco_midget_torch.php

[sixnotfour]

good pics here,
http://www.performanceforum.com/wesvann/91...lare-diary.html

[ChrisFoley]

lol, hi Milt!

[scotty b]

Buy one Rich, It's a really nice setup. I found it a bit awkward due to the width of it, but you find the right way and get used to it. Get the higher end hoses too, it's werth it.

[PanelBilly]

I would tack a rod between the long and the body panel right behind the door. When I cut the fenders out the metal in that area was unsupported and I had a difficult time deciding where it belonged. I think you may end up shifting it outward to better blend with the flare, but it would sure be nice to know where it was to start with.

I also wish I had checked the differences from side to side. While I was mounting the flares I started comparing left to right and making adjustments so they would be simular (note I didn't say perfect, I just couldn't do that), but I kept wondering how close they were to start with.

Also I'd done the job with the car togeather. I had everything off the car and couldn't mount a set of wheels in there to see if I wanted to modify anything. To date I haven't put wheeels on the car. I just figure I'll find wheels that fit the profile of the flare I ended up with.