Welding recommendations request (Page 2/2)
Iain DEC 10, 12:59 PM
Something everyone has missed.
Welding thick metal to thin(ner), isn't the easiest to learn. Easy to get poor penetration in the thicker part , or, good penetration and burn through the thinner metal. Or distort the whole thing. Not what you want to happen.
The subframe is a mix of 2mm and 3mm (1/8) steel. Sorry, I don't know what that is in swg.
I'd go with Fieroguru's suggestion of 3mm, 1/8 steel mounts, it's far easier to weld on. Don't bother with trying to fold it, just buy an appropriate piece of box section and cut to size with some cardboard aided design. much simpler. And it's quite quick too. Use thin cutting discs and flap wheels. I have 4 x 125mm grinders ( i think that's 5"), all fitted with different wheels, saves a huge amount of time.
If you can, get hold of some dimple dies. You can use a big bolt through them on 3mm steel, stiffens it up wonderfully. If you're worried about the subframe flexing, you can add dimple die'd 'bulkheads' or gusset the corners.

iain
ericjon262 DEC 10, 06:44 PM

quote
Originally posted by SteveMushynsky:

Thank you,ericjon262, for your constructive, good advice and info leads. I've studied your build threads and pretty much every one else's that involves an Ecotec for quite a while, now.

I'm not going into this project blind, but I realize my limitations and gaps. Gaps I look forward to filling. Limitations are more annoying. One limitation I have is a maximum 100 AMP 220V power availability to run a welder. My assumption is that shielding gas welding, either MIG or TIG is a capability I want - and I do recognize the learning curve involved.

Has anyone here also had constructive experience using acetylene welding and cutting equipment?

My son's father-in-law has been a professional welder for decades. I hope to get more learning and practice with him than I'd ever get alone. If I need to, I'll enroll in some welding courses at our local trades school or community college.

- Which 220V MIG or TIG welder might you recommend within a max 100 amp input limitation?
- New or used?
- Is an acetylene system worth looking into, also?
- Is 3/16" mild steel plate sufficient for fabricating engine and transmission mount adaptors?

I'm thinking to use less than 1/4" plate to better facilitate welding joints with good penetration and to allow brake-bending (or wide vice & hammer) along some edges to add strength. As I see it, actual mounts between adaptors and engine/transmission would be available ones such as CNC'd aluminum/poly mounts from ZZP or similar to preserve anti-vibration isolation, to help shield from torque shocks and to lessen wheel hops. I assume they know far more about mount bushings isolation than I do.

Sorry to be so information-needy, but at this point in my journey, frankly I am.
I know this and don't want to be a PIA to anyone. I would be appropriately grateful, though for any info or guidance I could get.




My swap isn't an ecotec, it's a 60 degree V6, the trans mounts will be applicable if you use an F23, which I would highly recommend, because then you can get transmission mounts from someone on here, and then you only have to worry about the engine front mounts, which greatly simplifies the fabrication aspect. hindsight being 20:20, I kinda wish I had used off the shelf parts on my build when I had the chance, but now I am way past the point of no return.

I have a plasma cutter, which is much safer and easier, and probably cheaper long term than fuel cutting. I also have a large home made propane torch that I can use for heating metal for shaping if need be.

Any 220V welder will probably run way less than your 100 amp capacity, you should be fine there.

and as 'Guru pointed out, you should be fine down to 1/8" which is probably heavier than the stock ecotec mounts.

------------------
"I am not what you so glibly call to be a civilized man. I have broken with society for reasons which I alone am able to appreciate. I am therefore not subject to it's stupid laws, and I ask you to never allude to them in my presence again."

"The day I tried to live, I stole a thousand beggars' change and gave it to the rich."
http://www.fiero.nl/forum/Forum2/HTML/119122.html

V8Steve DEC 10, 11:39 PM
Hi Steve,
I'm a Baby Boomer and am on my 3rd generation of my V8 Swap that began in 1999 when I first met Archie, face to face. Send PM and I can share with you about a lot.

I had no capability to weld so I ended up with a Lincoln 180 from Home Depot. It has served me well with my resurrection of the swap. Together with a DeWalt angle grinder I've learned how to do all sorts of things like fabricated brackets, mig welded custom exhaust, fix wife's garden tools, repair utility trailer, etc.
SteveMushynsky DEC 15, 03:25 AM
Thank you, Iain and ericjon262 for your additional information and advice. And thank you, V8Steve for your offer of help. I might very well take you up on that.

Looking about online, I've fixed on the following welder, at least as a reference point for what I might want to be getting:

Hobart 500554 Handler 190 MIG Welder 230V
https://www.amazon.com/Hoba...75947688&s=hi&sr=1-3
$645.99 & FREE Shipping

In the meantime, I need to get over this health situation that's got me down, so I can go pick up the new F35 transmission that's waiting for me at the freight office.

------------------
Steve Mushynsky

1984 Fiero 2M4
34K miles

1986 Fiero SE I4 (donor now)
Lots of good miles. One very bad mile.

1987 Fiero
Tried to kill me (gone to a 'better place')
Prior owner failed to tighten a bolt. Trailing arm separated at 70 mph

SteveMushynsky DEC 26, 10:24 PM
(post deleted)

[This message has been edited by SteveMushynsky (edited 12-26-2019).]

Dennis LaGrua DEC 27, 12:28 PM

quote
Originally posted by SteveMushynsky:

Thank you, Iain and ericjon262 for your additional information and advice. And thank you, V8Steve for your offer of help. I might very well take you up on that.

Looking about online, I've fixed on the following welder, at least as a reference point for what I might want to be getting:

Hobart 500554 Handler 190 MIG Welder 230V
https://www.amazon.com/Hoba...75947688&s=hi&sr=1-3
$645.99 & FREE Shipping

In the meantime, I need to get over this health situation that's got me down, so I can go pick up the new F35 transmission that's waiting for me at the freight office.




That's the welder that we have. The Hobart 190 Handler is an excellent machine. You will also need a tank and a cart to hold it all and a welding table really helps. I dislike Harbor Frieght stuf but their welding table is OK at around $60. You will use 75/25 Argon/CO2 gas. For occasional use a 40 CF tank usually does the trick. Mig welding is easy. You just need a steady hand and need to follow the pattern.

[This message has been edited by Dennis LaGrua (edited 12-27-2019).]