subframe connectors

Topic: subframe connectors (Read 3659 times) previous topic - next topic

subframe connectors

September 30, 2009, 12:41:40 AM

i'm going to be building a set of SFC's for my car and was wondering what everyone does with their fuel lines when they put SFC's on a t-bird?

subframe connectors

Reply #1 – September 30, 2009, 10:45:31 AM

What do you mean? To cover them up when welding? If you want to cover them up, a damp cloth is plenty.

subframe connectors

Reply #2 – September 30, 2009, 05:54:48 PM

Had to cover mine for most of my lower welding
I got this crazy space age foil stuff that I use to protect from sparks.

subframe connectors

Reply #3 – October 01, 2009, 01:15:44 AM

the way i'm wanting to build mine, the lines would have to run through the connectors....or under them which would put them low as hell.....

subframe connectors

Reply #4 – October 01, 2009, 07:32:22 AM

That's why I left space between the floor and my connectors. I need to run fuel lines, brake lines, E brake cables. :D

subframe connectors

Reply #5 – October 01, 2009, 09:23:44 PM

Quote from: Seek;293198

What do you mean? To cover them up when welding? If you want to cover them up, a damp cloth is plenty.

If you can; use a welding blanket.

AND MAKE SURE IT'S PROPERLY SECURED! Mine slid off. I caught the line on fire....Luckily I had an extinguisher handy. THe only reason the car didn't burn was because I took the necessary precautions, but even with those there are unforeseen incidents.

Mine are secured up in place right now yet visible if you get down and look underneath. A piece of angle iron along the inner side of the subframe will remedy that.

subframe connectors

Reply #6 – October 01, 2009, 10:23:25 PM

Quote from: V8Demon;293418

I caught the line on fire....Luckily I had an extinguisher handy.

How'd you manage that? My subframe connectors (plain stock, nothing special) went right in with no issues. I question how the line managed to catch on fire - perhaps scrub the lines good prior to welding if the undercarriage is filthy? Of course prep will prevent most problems and maybe my lines aren't "normal". A quick welder is also less likely to run into heat problems. I was more worried about my floor pan on the interior than the undercarriage.

I do wish I had more strengthening underneath though - for no particular reason other than to know it's there and solid.

subframe connectors

Reply #7 – October 01, 2009, 10:33:32 PM

The hole made was near invisible. Torch hit the line for a fraction of a second. Had to bend the line afterward on inspection to actually find the hole.

As far as cleanliness --- There aren't many cars on here with a cleaner dirt and rust free undercarriage on here. The fire spread to about the size of the flame from a bic lighter.

You can question how it caught all you want. I WITNESSED IT.

subframe connectors

Reply #8 – October 01, 2009, 10:37:39 PM

things just happen....
With all the welding on my car, I'm really surprised mine didn't catch on fire.
And let me tell you. that undercoating in the rear wheelwells is a blaze waiting to happen.

subframe connectors

Reply #9 – October 01, 2009, 10:40:29 PM

Quote

that undercoating in the rear wheelwells is a blaze waiting to happen.

Add some rubber after a few track runs and it's even more fun! :hick:

subframe connectors

Reply #10 – October 02, 2009, 12:35:11 PM

Quote from: V8Demon;293439

You can question how it caught all you want. I WITNESSED IT.

I don't doubt you one bit - I'd clean the surrounding area before ever welding in an area though. Safety first! :)

Either way, I'm a strong believer in a barrier, along with disconnecting electrical devices that have the slightest possibility of having issues if the welder were to act up. It's an odd precaution but I always disconnect the battery - electricity can do some weird things.

subframe connectors

Reply #11 – October 02, 2009, 05:34:04 PM

Quote

It's an odd precaution but I always disconnect the battery - electricity can do some weird things.

About the only time I don't disconnect it is for some type of fluid change....

subframe connectors

Reply #12 – October 02, 2009, 07:11:17 PM

Are the T-bird steel or plastic? I can't remember what the stock ones were in my 1987. I remember the first time I ran across a plastic gas line in a GM and was very surprised when it melted in two and caught the car on fire. Never really worried about welding next to steel lines so I did not think it would be a problem.

TED

subframe connectors

Reply #13 – October 02, 2009, 07:15:48 PM

What are you going to do for SubFrame conectors. I just use simple channel and plate and it works great. Sure make a difference. Use to be when you jack up the car the frame would flex and make it hard to shut the doors. But now you can jack it up on one conner and there is no flex and the doors still works great.

TED

subframe connectors

Reply #14 – October 03, 2009, 02:33:03 AM

I don't even remember what it was like pre-subframe connectors. I didn't notice a huge increase but it handled turns better without throwing me into the door. I didn't notice much else but perhaps the suspension felt more solid. Either way, cheap and quick strengthening.