C3 #4 body mount welding

[Travis Schulze]

Hello, I need to replace the #4 body mount to frame bracket. I was planning on using a MIG welder to do this. Will this provide a strong enough weld? If not, any suggestions? Thanks!

[Joe L.]

Re: C3 #4 body mount welding

Travis------

I feel very confident that a MIG weld, properly performed, will be plenty strong enough for this repair.

[Chuck S.]

Re: C3 #4 body mount welding

Number 4 body mount is a cantilevered bracket off the side of the frame rail near the end. Results will depend more on your welding skills with a MIG welder than the machine or method. If you have done a good bit of welding, and know what you're doing, there is no doubt that the weld will be strong enough.

If your experience consists only of "daubing", the weld would probably pass the originality appearance test, but may not have good strength. If you want the welding to look original, you will not be able to grind your efforts to pretty them up, so you'll need to lay down a reasonably nice bead (splatter and BBs OK) with good penetration. My 230 volt Mig welder permits me to weld up to about 1/4" thick steel; my machine (in the right hands) could probably do this in one pass (inside and outside) at a heat setting of 5, wire speed of about 4-5.

[Travis Schulze]

Re: C3 #4 body mount welding

Thanks alot guys, My main concern is that the weld hold. I have virtually no welding experience so I am going to have someone else do it. Thanks for the tips!

[Harmon C.]

Re: C3 #4 body mount welding

Travis

I only replace the top then you still have the original welds on the frame.
The location will also be the same. I cut out the top with a metabo slicer wheel then make the weld near the corners. If the weld is not perfect you need to round the corner off anyway. I also make the top plate with hole but you could cut it out of a new part. Just another way to do the job and save money.All I have replaced have had good sides.

Lyle

[Scott Marzahl]

Re: C3 #4 body mount welding

I did it the same way as Lyle, since the sides were still fine, I just zipped off the top portion that was rusted out, mig'd in a new section of sheet and drilled a new hole for the mount.

[Chuck S.]

Re: C3 #4 body mount welding

The mount is available from Dr. Rebuild for $52.50. Considering what restoration costs, I can't see scabbing together something functional just to save a few bucks, if it can't pass close scrutiny for originality. But, that's just me...others might not see the welding, but I would know it was there.

[Harmon C.]

No scab job !!!

Chuck
When done my way their is no way you can tell it has been done as the sides and the frame welds are original with pits or whatever. The weld is finished off just like original flat metal and covered up by the body mount. It's very easy for a good welder to make a repair that can't be seen and I will be able to spot a replaced mount in a heart beat. The location being perfect and a repair you can't see plus saving money was my reason for sharing my method and it is no scab job.
Lyle

[Scott Marzahl]

Re: No scab job !!!

Hmmm, should we be insulted Lyle , you certainly can't tell mine is welded either.

[Chuck S.]

Re: No scab job !!!

OK, I see how you're doing it...Continuous weld bead close to the bend radius, ground flat top and bottom surfaces. Tricky to grind flat inside, but yeah that would work. I thought you were tack welding the top piece in place...no bueno.