mini rod - Cut-Weld-Drive Forums

derekshep · April 24th, 2012, 05:59 AM

hey guys did one project year ago and sold it an now on to my next.

this is what it looked like 2 weeks ago when i bought it home.

derekshep · April 24th, 2012, 06:02 AM

dropped it on my newly remodeled pan from the last project and started working. was stuck on which hood to use.

derekshep · April 24th, 2012, 06:10 AM

next day of work here she is

derekshep · April 24th, 2012, 06:12 AM

and the next day

derekshep · April 24th, 2012, 06:14 AM

well go out today to stat working and first thing i find is this.

what to do to fix this. dont wanta replace the whole heater channel. and when you open the door the body gives some there and you have to lift the door to shut it back.

what is the best easiest opition i have

fungus · April 24th, 2012, 07:23 AM

Ewwww... That sucks. Unfortunately that's a very structural component, which should be replaced or an alternative welded in.

I'd hate for this thing to fold up on you when you hit a speedbump.

Possibly weld in tube in it's place? Remember that you'll have to reinforce the anchor points.

Phoenix · April 24th, 2012, 09:09 AM

Well, since the body has that much flex in it, I'd replace the whole heater channel. Specially since it's a vert.

There is usually more rust in it than what you can see obviously too.

It's really not that bad of a job if you can weld, and you can even do it with the body on. Verts have extra braces and such but I don't think it would add that much work (I've never done a vert though so I don't really know).

If the whole channel is good and solid except for that outside piece where the running board bolts up in your picture you COULD get just that metal as a replacement panel and weld just that in (or make your own patch out of sheet metal if you don't plan on running boards).

derekshep · April 24th, 2012, 09:17 AM

i think it had that flex cause its not bolted to the pan yet plus its not a vert stock. has bgw sprectre fiberglass kit

**Hapster** · April 25th, 2012, 04:05 PM

I added some aftermarket supports that I welded to the body before putting it back on the pan. But my heater channels were in great shape as well.

My rod has the rear fiberglass section yours has but as you can tell I do not have front or rear aprons.

You are going to have to figure a way to support. There are some on this forum that used square tubing along each side or others which eliminated the channels all together and welded the body to the pan making it alot stronger.
I think you might end doing a combination of both.

derekshep · April 29th, 2012, 10:02 AM

top is almost done