Competition body prep. (long)

[abrahamk]

List members, I have some questions regarding seam welding and general competition body-shell preparation. I have located a reasonably good Stanza shell and have an L20B ready to go in. Before it does I would like to seam weld and strengthen the body shell to prepare it for the rigorous thrashing it is about to receive. I have had a look at the very good Ford Escort site at www.osella.com.au.   1. I would like to use an oxy-acetylene welder to do the seam welding - I don't have access to a MIG. The application of heat is so much slower with an oxy set than with an arc welder, will excessive annealing take place? - I am specially concerned about front strut towers and chassis rails. In simpler language will my body shell be stiffer or softer after seam welding with an oxy set?   2. The general technique recommended by the Ford works rally department in the 70's (see website above) was to seam weld 1/2 inch, then leave 1 1/2 inches, then weld 1/2 inch, etc.. Leaving gaps prevents cracks spreading and I suppose the size of the gaps offsets any annealing or embrittlement. Any comments or suggestions?   3. I have inspected a Datsun 1600 rally car and noticed a long plate ( reaching from the bulkhead to the front crossmember) welded onto the outside of the driver's side chassis rail (i.e. inside the wheel well). This plate was supposed to reinforce the steering box - I don't see how it does it, it could be there for another reason, any ideas? An angle bracket inside the car mounted from the steering box to the body shell / chassis rail would be better.   4. Should there be gusset plates from the bulkhead to the chassis rails? Again, see the Ford Escort site for details. However, the Datsun is designed differently in this area, the bulkhead slopes away to the rear of the car.   5. The front radius rod brackets take a fearsome hammering and could probably be pulled out bolts-and-all from the front crossmember. I've seen it happen on a (rusty) 200B. How can this area be reinforced?   6. Are there any known weak points in a live-axle Datsun?   Any help or advice would be much appreciated.    Regards, Nick     --membersozdat------------------------------------------------------- OZDAT Mailing List Please Note:- Send (un)subscribe requests to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Send submissions to [EMAIL PROTECTED] No unauthorised redistribution of this email http://www.datascribe.com.au/ozdatonline/index.htm http://www.datascribe.com.au/ozdatonline/listindex.html http://www.mail-archive.com/membersozdat@datascribe.com.au/ ---------------------------------------------------------------------