ConVerTT

Definitely - 56 cents is at the low end of prices where I see them on sale. Definitely worth it.

I figure there must already be a thread like this somewhere. But if not, let’s bring it back ...you know the rules so let’s get to it ... So I picked up these beauties today ...(actually Matt from Edmonton drove three hours and dropped them off for me. Thanks again Matt if you are on here ....) Solid rear quarters cut from a 72 240z, 90550 (RIP) Right side .... Left side .... (bonus: window, door latch, side marker, hatch strut, antenna and speaker ?)... Some small rust rust in the lower dogleg and around the gas cap but basically pretty solid .... I paid $1500 Cdn, or about $1150 US, delivered to my front door. And so now the question: “Deal” or “No Deal” ???

That’s a fair-er comparison and 56 cents FTW!

$2.88 each - yikes! kmstools.ca has the 3/16 and 3/32 on sale for $0.99 Cdn right now... https://www.kmstools.com/cleco-3-16-temporary-sheet-metal-fastener-82

So the pliers will run around $20 and the 1/8 Clecos will cost $0.50 to $0.75 cents each. I have around 50 or 60 and the only time I got close to using them all was when I was doing floors. kmstools and Amazon.ca have them on sale fairly regularly. Clecos were originally developed for aircraft (which are made of aluminum and riveted together). A pilot friend of mine put me on to them. There are many advantages over screws. 1) no deformation of the metal (other than drilling the initial hole) 2) spring loaded - infinitely re-usable 3) perfect for the fitting process where parts are going to be attached / detached several times before final welding. (for example the frame rails were probably on / off a dozen times before I welded them in).

Good call on the Wheels!

Not much today. Managed to get the upper inner bracing made and everything fitted and Cleco’d in. Hopefully punching holes tomorrow ....

Made a bit of progress on the rad support ... templating .... Laying out the template and the bead roll pattern .... Got most of the hard part done.... Should be able to wrap it up in the next few days ....

Looks great!

Had kind of a lazy afternoon testfitting sheet metal before welding in the rockers .... not perfect but workable .... Nice parallel lines ... Inner fender repair fits decent .... Funny how no two sugar scoops are identical ....

On the other hand, we also tend to beef up suspension and drivetrain, plus the power levels, so strength of structure is still an important discussion ...

All true @Patcon

That pic is a good argument for 305 IMO (minus the fingers ???)

Agreed. That backing plate is the least discussed and most important piece. Given that I am (slightly LOL) over 200 lbs, I will likely overbuild that plate and tie it back to the corner.

I just puked a little in my mouth ....

305 IMO

I agree with all three of your points, although I would reverse the order of priority as follows: 1) cost: single stamp is always cheaper - agreed 2) manufacturing (really cost point 2): spot weld through multiple layers without adjusting position is cheaper - agreed 3) structural; meh. ( Understand that the top and bottom edges of mine are in exactly the same point as factory and the top edge of the curved section is about 1 inch inboard. But even if I concede that) the factory design was better on day 1 ....On day 1200, it’s a rust trap and arguably much worse. But at day 1200 who cares ? (...well off warranty) . So ... See 1 and 2 above ??? That said, I do like how the factory design tranfers the seat belt load to the corner ....

Occupation: retired engineer ... Good points and it would be easy to replicate but I’m not too worried about it. The rocker also has a internal brace with a heavy bead to box it and add strength. (I haven’t made it yet). The main reason I did it is that all the layered metal in that corner is a brutal rust trap. It was an almost indistinguishable lump when I first cut into it.

Agreed and I don’t know the answer. But I can’t see it being stronger than maintaining the section.

Got the driver’s side fitted, trimmed and cleco’d in .... Decided to butt the inner rocker to the wheel well instead of tapering it in (factory). ... vs factory taper .... And test fitting the outer rocker and wheel housing (Tabco) and DIY lower door patch ... So much cleaner ... Feels like progress!!! ?

Certainly, no problem. It will be next week as I still need to fab the internal bracing ... ‘Details of the destruction and repair are in this thread too

Cut out the driver’s side rocker with no additional bracing. No drama ...

Excited to finish fitting these ??? Tired ...tomorrow ...

Moving right along .... This will go a LOT faster than the frame rails ....

Finally got some fun time ... So I decided to clean up the driver’s side and make it match the passenger’s side with some fresh metal ... Cleaned up nice...added a coat of Por15 ... Fitting and shaping ... Just need to weld her up tomorrow. Getting closer to a viable engine bay ....