Week #36 & #37

I couldn't fight it any more. With the bulk of the rear window repair behind me I grabbed up the trunk floor sections and began the process of welding those bad boys in!

After lifting the pair into the trunk for the umpteenth time, I positioned them to their correct spots and screwed them down 2 or 3 places each. With them held down tight I used a black marker and put a dot on the frame inside each 1/4" hole that was drilled through the panels. After sand blasting the trunk area a while back, I had coated all bare metal with Oxy-Solve. This stuff leaves a coating that can play hell with a MIG welder. The dots show me where to grind a clean spot for welding. I removed the panels ,for the last time, and did the chore. This was a good time to give the welding surfaces one last look-see for any old remaining spot welds left from the original floor. Yes, found a couple along with some frame rail "flanges" that could use some flattening out. With that done and after a quick vacuum of the rails, it was back in with the drivers side floor panel, for the last time.

That first weld is the toughest... am I forgeting something?, is this really where I want the trunk?, did I leave a tool or small child down in the frame rail? With all the confidence in the world I zapped the first spot. The drivers side floor fit perfectly, all weld holes fit flush against their respective support surface. The single floor brace that is welded under the trunk and spans from side to side was positioned and welded as it took its place in the total integrity of the floor. After welding all the spots just back to the portion of the trunk that goes up and over the shock mounting area I positioned the right side floor. This side does not fall into place. It must be forced into position with 2x4s and wedges and a BFH. After one or two welds to hold it in place the center seam is welded from front to back. I had to do some trimming of the panel while it was place... that wasn't any fun.

With the seam welded and just a few "spot welds" done on the right side I decided to call it a day. I felt good about what I was seeing. It was a far cry from the scary mess that faced me back in August. I even got the wife to take some "candid shots" of me sittin' in the trunk welding for posting on the web site. With the fuzzy feeling of having done a bunch, I grabbed my wallet and watch... my watch... now where is that watch. Hmmmm, I took it off over by the '70 just before I put in the floors for welding... =8^o DOAH!