1991 Mustang Coupe "Blanch" subframe battle boxes torque plates weld job

3-29-2008 The Fox chassis; Mustang or otherwise is pretty thin and can bend and torque out of shape. The body style of: coupe, notchback, sport sedan, notchback - are all the same; the type with the truck, same as SSP or even CHP.. (though some few Hatchbacks WERE indeed SSP) - either way you have it: this body style is the strongest, most rigid. That being said, not good enough for spirited driving with stock enginge over the long haul. With more power than stock the fox mustang can tear up the undercarriage from repeated hard launches or just fearsome shifting over a period of time. A nother possible benefit I have been told that tying the chassis together well can keep the car's alignment true.

I have FIVE (5) pieces of chassis stiffening hardware to install to each side of the car in this period of work: A pair of the toughest sub frame connectors I was able to find; they have the thickest wall, they have the most mounting points, they are the longest. They and the torque box “battle box” reinforcements are from UMI. This is my second pair of these subframe connectors they are of the highest quality. I also am trying out lower torque box "plates" (from moroso) in conjunction with the umi subframes. In my last installation of the UMI sf’s I thought that there was an area ‘lacking’ that these plates will cover You will see for yourself how they turn out in part 2 when this work is completed. (now completed)

1991CoupeWeld100.jpg The first time I drive this car... is right onto a lift!	1991CoupeWeld101.jpg The rear of the car up on its suspension for the welding
1991CoupeWeld102.jpg Grog welds the top plate – drawing the weld from the plate down to the pan in a repetitive motion, the floorpan is thin and delicate	1991CoupeWeld103.jpg This beautiful work will be hidden with rear seats. My prevous car had many holes burned in here from other welder guy's job.
1991CoupeWeld104.jpg He is setting up the homeowners welder for him.	1991CoupeWeld105.jpg Test welding on scrap until satisfied.
1991CoupeWeld106.jpg Hey! Grog checks out my cars caboose	1991CoupeWeld107.jpg A small MAP gas torch heats up the plates to allow working them into shape
1991CoupeWeld108.jpg Using a bottle jack to hold the plate in place.	1991CoupeWeld109.jpg Using a Lincoln MIG with 25% cO2 75% Argon, if I remember correct.
1991CoupeWeld110.jpg Argon is an inert gas. This means it does not oxidize and has no effect on the chemical composition of the weld metal. Pure argon cannot be used for gas metal arc welding of steels since the arc becomes too unstable.	1991CoupeWeld111.jpg The advantages of carbon dioxide are good width of fusion and the achievement of good mechanical properties.
1991CoupeWeld112.jpg Argon/carbon dioxide blends are versatile mixtures for welding carbon, low-alloy and some stainless steels. Increasing the CO2 content will increase weld penetration and bead wetting characteristics. At higher current levels and CO2 content, increased spatter may result. Ar/CO2 blends can be used to join a wide range of material thickness.	1991CoupeWeld113.jpg Ill be using Red Oxide Primer, clean, primer, then perhapx expoy black paint - hey do you see that smoke :)
1991CoupeWeld114.jpg This car is filled with contaminants. Many places are impossible to access – to clean, here you see some zinc coating Burning Off!	1991CoupeWeld115.jpg ??Iron oxide — also known as ferric oxide, Hematite, red iron oxide, synthetic maghemite, colcothar, or simply rust(what??) — is one of the several oxide compounds of iron
1991CoupeWeld116.jpg Larger areas than were used were cleaned up to prep the way for the sub frame connectors	1991CoupeWeld117.jpg Thanks! -Matt Hamutoff

PAGE TWO WELDING COMPLETE!!

1991 Mustang Coupe "Blanch" subframe battle boxes torque plates weld job

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