Alphabettispaghetti
Club Member
looks like you've done a nice job on those. How far back are you going with them. 1.5mm is a good idea I think.
What welder/settings are you using?
What welder/settings are you using?
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floor rails
- Thread starter Alphabettispaghetti
- Start date
morbias
Well-Known Forum User
Well I got the top hat sections made in 4 foot sections only as I had to walk home with them from the fabricators 
I haven't test fitted them since making the endcaps but they should reach to about mid-way between the front and rear seat mounts, so a little bit longer than the originals.
I have a 135 amp mig, used power setting 5 out of 6, 0.6mm wire and plain old CO2. Wire feed speed set to about 60%. I think there's something wrong with it though, doesn't seem to give as much output as it should but has enough for the thin z sheet metal so I couldn't be bothered getting it replaced. It actually didn't work at all when I got it, I had to take it apart and re-do a lot of the ****** soldering on the power board, I probably missed some which could be why it's not performing properly!
By the way, I don't suppose you know how the big box section at the front of the framerails is designed? Is it one big box section or is divided in two? I haven't cut the rails that far forward yet.
I haven't test fitted them since making the endcaps but they should reach to about mid-way between the front and rear seat mounts, so a little bit longer than the originals.
I have a 135 amp mig, used power setting 5 out of 6, 0.6mm wire and plain old CO2. Wire feed speed set to about 60%. I think there's something wrong with it though, doesn't seem to give as much output as it should but has enough for the thin z sheet metal so I couldn't be bothered getting it replaced. It actually didn't work at all when I got it, I had to take it apart and re-do a lot of the ****** soldering on the power board, I probably missed some which could be why it's not performing properly!
By the way, I don't suppose you know how the big box section at the front of the framerails is designed? Is it one big box section or is divided in two? I haven't cut the rails that far forward yet.
Alphabettispaghetti
Club Member
You mean the bit that points down with the TC rod locator? If so it looks like it should be two sections a upper and lower.
morbias
Well-Known Forum User
Yes that's the section, thanks for the info. So the bottom of the upper section is at the same level as floor? Is there any drainage route from that section for water to get out? Because there are a couple of gaps right above the TC rod locator which would let it fill with water.
[EDIT] oh wait, maybe I'm being a muppet and those gaps are part of the lower section, in which case water will fill the framerails instead?
[EDIT] oh wait, maybe I'm being a muppet and those gaps are part of the lower section, in which case water will fill the framerails instead?
Last edited by a moderator:
morbias
Well-Known Forum User
Ok, so I just cut a bit out where the floor joins the firewall above the framerail and it looks like there is a drainage hole there for the top box section to drain into the lower one -- ie. the framerail.
That doesn't really seem like a particularly good design decision! Has anyone come up with a solution to this before? I'd rather not leave drainage holes in the framerails open to the elements.
That doesn't really seem like a particularly good design decision! Has anyone come up with a solution to this before? I'd rather not leave drainage holes in the framerails open to the elements.
morbias
Well-Known Forum User
Thanks Rob but there aren't any pics of that area in that link -- but now I've cut it open I can see how it's constructed. As a matter of fact I did find a picture on classic z car (link) earlier of the exact drainage hole in the double box section:
See what I mean? It allows the upper box section to drain into the framerails, but then there's nowhere for the water to go.
See what I mean? It allows the upper box section to drain into the framerails, but then there's nowhere for the water to go.
Alphabettispaghetti
Club Member
Thanks Rob but there aren't any pics of that area in that link -- but now I've cut it open I can see how it's constructed. As a matter of fact I did find a picture on classic z car (link) earlier of the exact drainage hole in the double box section:
See what I mean? It allows the upper box section to drain into the framerails, but then there's nowhere for the water to go.
the frame rails have drain holes in them too. Just make a hole in your fabricated one?
Alphabettispaghetti
Club Member
I'm 99.99876% sure, mine were factory original, I can dig out a pic of their location if you want?
Alphabettispaghetti
Club Member
Alphabettispaghetti
Club Member
Its still being sorted as I only moved a year ago and house/garden projects have taken over getting the car done. Just making space to get my mill in too.
I don't like it being that messy
Do you want me to measure where the holes are so you can put them in the right place? How far back are you going with your floor rails?
I don't like it being that messy
Do you want me to measure where the holes are so you can put them in the right place? How far back are you going with your floor rails?
morbias
Well-Known Forum User
Not to worry, I've already drilled holes in them, 3 in each one. I was going to spray cavity wax in then put in rubber bungs but I'll just leave them open instead. Not too bothered about originality, only me and the MOT man will see them!
I wasn't joking about your garage either, I really do wish mine was that tidy lol
I wasn't joking about your garage either, I really do wish mine was that tidy lol