Ben's Satellite

[killi6]

It's actually this part:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/1971-1972-1...Parts_Accessories&hash=item2a369d673a&vxp=mtr

As with so many parts, plenty exist for 73-74 E-bodies which are the same as the 71-72B-bodies, but nobody seems to make them for the 73-74 B-bodies (or RR/Satellite).

Something occurred to me yesterday... If I take the whole thing out (which I think I have to do anyway really), I should be able to work on it much easier on a bench. I can cut up my cap so that it fits and weld it all up and solid on a bench and then put it back in. And while I'm at it, I'll be able to clean it up real nice... and re-weld the other mounts back onto it while I'm at it. I'll just cut the whole floor out. <shrug> I was going to wind up replacing both sides on the front anyway, might as well just plan on replacing both with the whole front body pan, huh?

- - - Updated - - -

It's actually this part:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/1971-1972-1...Parts_Accessories&hash=item2a369d673a&vxp=mtr

As with so many parts, plenty exist for 73-74 E-bodies which are the same as the 71-72B-bodies, but nobody seems to make them for the 73-74 B-bodies (or RR/Satellite).

Something occurred to me yesterday... If I take the whole thing out (which I think I have to do anyway really), I should be able to work on it much easier on a bench. I can cut up my cap so that it fits and weld it all up and solid on a bench and then put it back in. And while I'm at it, I'll be able to clean it up real nice... and re-weld the other mounts back onto it while I'm at it. I'll just cut the whole floor out. <shrug> I was going to wind up replacing both sides on the front anyway, might as well just plan on replacing both with the whole front body pan, huh?

to clarify, it's not exactly that part... the 73/74 Satty does not have the torsion bars attached to this piece, they attach to another crossmember that attaches to this piece on the back...

 

[killi6]

I finally got the cross-member out... pounded the rusted out side down about 1/4 inch to be even with the passenger side... trimmed a piece of 1/8x2-inch length of steel to weld in as the new 'keel' for that side of the crossmember. It's so filthy, I know I need to clean it all up and blast it and prime and paint it and all but I want to patch it up first, I've been looking forward to cutting and welding to fix it for so long.

 

[killi6]

Okay... got the one piece tacked in...

I couldn't find any 4-inch wide 1/8 inch steel for the sides, so I welded two 2-inch pieces together. Had my stepson try it first... he's taking welding in high school. He finally gave up, said my welder is crappy and the stick isn't big enough (kinda personal but whatever). So I tried... got them to hold together with a bunch of crappy little tack welds. I ground it all down and tapped it with a hammer to bend something straight and they just came apart... so I ground all of that crap off and beveled the connecting edges a little and had the most amazing welding experience of my life... I was actually holding an arc long enough to drag it across the seam and held it while pushing the stick closer while it melted off... went through three sticks. It's really ugly but it should hold. (see below) It's also welded on both sides. Now I need to clean it up and fit it to the crossmember and tack it in... and plan my attack on the other side. Also need to figure out what holes are supposed to be in it for snaking lines through... like I think just the brakes (this is the driver's side crossmember).