Another build thread? Yep, my track-style T

[J. Robinson]

The rear radius rods are in place, but the rear end brackets need to be strap-gusseted to the housing. This is done for two reasons...

First, and most importantly, the strap gussets make it nearly impossible for the brackets to break off. I have seen that happen; it usually occurrs under hard acceleration. The results are a destroyed rear end housing, a bent or broken drive shaft, and a severely damaged floor. Potentially, it could kill you either by causing a sudden loss of control or by beating you with a flailing, broken drive shaft.

Secondly, the straps require welding all the way around the housing which, if done correctly, equalizes the heat draw around the housing and minimizes warpage.

I began by cutting two pieces of 1/8 x 2 flat stock 9" long. I bent them almost in a right angle, 2 1/2" from one end. Then I used a vise and hammer to shape the long end in a sort of semi-circle so they looked somewhat like a question mark (see pic).

Next, I clamped and tack-welded the bottom (straight) ends to the back sides of the rear end brackets. I then used a combination of C-clamps, hammer, and tack-welds to persuade the curved portions into place around the housing and onto the top of the rear end brackets. I will weld the brackets and strap-gussets all the way around later when I have the rear end out of the car and can rotate it easily. For now, there are enough tack-welds to keep everything where it belongs while I hang the springs and panhard bar.