body seams

[81 trans-am]

Ive read about people welding facory body seams,Im assuming to make the body stiffer. Any info on doing this Pro's and con's. I plan on a 12 point cage and weld in subframe connectors.
thanks

[stewy]

The only seams I weld up completely are the 1/4 to roof. It must be done in small increments as to not warp the surrounding sheet metal. I also recomened because if you only spot weld and then use plastic filler, you will eventually end up with bubbles as air creeps through the inside of the car and out. Plastic fillers also do not stick well to tin/lead filler, so since not many people play with the tin and leading of seams anymore, I would recomend welding up the seam completely and then applying plastic filler to smooth out area.

Weld in frame connectors and solid body bushings will significantly increase the stiffness of your ride, not to mention the 12 point will also make it very solid.

[Sparky67]

The only seams I weld up completely are the 1/4 to roof. It must be done in small increments as to not warp the surrounding sheet metal. I also recomened because if you only spot weld and then use plastic filler, you will eventually end up with bubbles as air creeps through the inside of the car and out. Plastic fillers also do not stick well to tin/lead filler, so since not many people play with the tin and leading of seams anymore, I would recomend welding up the seam completely and then applying plastic filler to smooth out area.

Hmmm, actually my seams near the 1/4 panel to roof were welded and then leaded. We also welded seam the 1/4 near the tail panel too. I just don't have the photos to prove it, but here is my welded and leaded DSE sub frame. http://www.kodakgallery.com/67rscamaro/main/2007-05-10

Jeff

http://www.kodakgallery.com/67rscamaro

[stewy]

Jeff,
Sorry I forgot to mention that the factory spot welded and then leaded over the seams, just as you have described what you have done. For a little more strenght I just recomend welding the entire seam. When I have seen car bodies twist, it is common to note cracks at the roof, at both the top of the quarter and the tops of the A pillars.

[Sparky67]

Jeff,
Sorry I forgot to mention that the factory spot welded and then leaded over the seams, just as you have described what you have done. For a little more strenght I just recomend welding the entire seam. When I have seen car bodies twist, it is common to note cracks at the roof, at both the top of the quarter and the tops of the A pillars.

It is welded right down the seam, not like the factory. I have seen first generation drag racing cars twist, but they also don't have subframe connectors. My car was alkaline dipped and e-coated, so the factory lead was removed. My bodyman has about 55 years experience in doing cars, so he knows about every trick the book. There is lot of hidden tricks that has been done on my car.

Jeff

[81 trans-am]

Thanks for the replys. I was planing on welding the quater to roof seam but was wondering about others like the seams that run up the a pillar or even along the rockers. I have no real reason for it but I remember hearing other people doing it.

[class67]

I welded up all the seams, including the rear filler panel and the rear light panel for no other reason than just for looks. The Con to this is if I ever get rear ended!!!

[81 trans-am]

Thats a good point. Spot welds are bad enough.

[x2cstang]

I did a Mustang for a guy and we welded up the front aprons and rails with 1 in stiches vs just the spot welds. The chassis fab guy we took it too said he did all his customers drag cars like that as well. Rockers panels welded solid from the back side of the pinch welds really give the car strength.

You can add strength by also using weld through panel bond similar to what BMW and Audi uses on their newer vehicles.

[DFAuto]

Every possible seam was welded on the my nova project but for looks more than anything else. I don't even think about getting hit it makes me and my body guy wake up at night screaming.