3k-One Year-30's Ford-Rat Rod Build Thread

[Wolfco]

I need a frame drain system for water etc...so i drilled and tapped each frame rail (near the rear of the frame) with 6mm threads....using a bolt for a plug...this will allow me to drain water from the frame. I also welded on a pc of steel to protect the bolt so when i drag frame it wont peel the bolt head off the frame!

I am going to seal the frame from the inside using paint. I discoved this on my Suzuki Samurai off road buggy....i made a rear bumper as an air tank...
Here is what i did. Welded frame completely sealed. It is near impossible to get a fully sealed vessel (frame in this case) using only weld...and if you grind welds it only makes for more leaks....I use OIL base rustoleum paint. I had a quart of white and a quart of "off white""'heck ...the color doesnt matter!!! it was old paint and I just added some thinner so it would flow nicely...I poured 1 quart into each frame rail.. and then rotated the frame around to coat the inside of the frame. see next post.

[Wolfco]

I poured 1 quart into each frame rail...adding the paint to the welded in 3/8 pipe bung that will be the feed port for the airbag valve asm. This is at a high point on the frame and will help keep crap/debris out of the valves and airbags....i might run a filter too...

The frame leaked everywhere...i sprayed windex (it was handy) on the welds and found many, many leaks..small ones...I fixed a couple large ones with the welder....After the paint was pouring into the frame i screwed on the air coupling and added 120PSI air pressure. The air forces the paint INTO each pinhole and seals it instantly!!! This is a fantastic way to seal a pressure vessel. I used the chain hoist to lift on end so the paint would ooze to the downward side...listening to hisssssssssss.....then silence. Every hole sealed!

The last pic...I then pulled the drain plugs-reattached the airhose to blow any excess paint out....and maybe got 8 oz of paint out.....i think the inside of the frame is pretty well coated with oil base rustoleum.
I hope to spray the outside of the frame with Red Oxide Rustoleum tommorrow before heading to Minneapolis for Christmas with by brother...
Merry Christmas to all the Hot Rodders out there!

[oldrodder43]

Hey Wolfco, that toe brings back a lot of memories for me! Many years ago a Friend and I were trying to load a motor block onto the back of a rack body truck by sliding it up a plank. In short, he lifted and pushed and I didn't----
Motor fell off the plank from about three feet in the air and hit right on my right big toe!! I think I just felt that again..............
What a devil of a time I had with that, for several months. I managed to hit it with everything, bump it on everything, dropped a phone on it! ouch. I had to have that one drilled, Doctor used a paper clip, heated on a bunson (sp) burner and melted it thru----------Man, when that went through I nearly went into orbit. I might have called him a name or two. I sincerely feel for you. Ain't NO FUN. The nail finally came off, then the new nail grew in where it wanted to, had an awful time getting it right. Merry Christmas and a HEALTHY New Year. Perley