Scratch Building a Coupe

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I started to cover the passengers side running boards. Slow going little discrepancies here and there had to scribe the back wall some. Any way got what i want and will weld it here and there tomorrow if I like what I have. The heat 94 degrees drove me from the shop early. Not unbearable but I don't like leaving sweat salt stains on the new metal. The sweat actually etches the metal. I got enough done today for an old geezer. Got some snaps
 

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More Snaps
 

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I decided not to weld the running board it will just leave more dings to fix later. So I went with 3/16X16 bolts with flat washers and lock washers. As I was doing this I experimented and found that I could use #2 Phillips self drilling and tapping screws that are #10. All I did was drill a pilot hole 1/8 inch drill because the steel is to thick 1/8th inch or better. Then used my drill with a Phillips head and screwed them down after adding a flat washer to them. I will probably use these through out on the other side its a little quicker. That was my day a lazy one But I finished the passengers side for now. I will still have to dis-assemble it to sand prime and paint the under sides etc. Now I can do the drivers side running board.
 

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I stuck to my plans and got the drivers side running boards done. Now I will try to make them meet with the front and rear fenders somehow. But I thought I would take some time to get my gas tank painted and strapped in place. because i need to button that part up so I can do my rear fire wall and seating floor areas. Plus locate the gas filler pipe etc. Then I can attach my rear valance after i strap the tank. Its easier and more room to work. Got a few snaps
 

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Slow day watching paint dry. I did some work on my gas tank. Found out I need a sending unit. This will slow down things a bit Then again I could calculate my gas like Nascar guys do. I'll see what to do If I hook up the tank now I may have to take it down again to replace sender, They want to much for these sending units.I need to keep going. Ill keep going here and worry about that sender when i get $$.
 

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You can do like I did on my first Cessna....

Slow day watching paint dry. I did some work on my gas tank. Found out I need a sending unit. This will slow down things a bit Then again I could calculate my gas like Nascar guys do. I'll see what to do If I hook up the tank now I may have to take it down again to replace sender, They want to much for these sending units.I need to keep going. Ill keep going here and worry about that sender when i get $$.

I'd climb up on a latter and dip the tanks with a wooden ruler.....LOL....then I fixed the fuel indicator.....works though...:D
 
Another day of small stuff I prepared the trunk area where the tank will sit top and underneath with navy Blue paint. That's the color I want the Coupe to be. I had some extra metal around so I am attempting to make a 24inch by 18 inch by 9.5 inch tall gas tank. I have my doubts of it coming out well I done one before and leaked worse than the Titanic did. We will see.
 

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I got a basic box made for a gas tank I ran out of angle steel and mig wire, I have no gas so im welding with wire with flux. I will seal the seams insides with epoxie etc when i am finished welding and before i install the top. who knows maybe it will work. Everybody just wants to much for everything. No wonder America has economy problems everyone is trying to make a years salary in one sale. Greed...
 

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i like it man. :) kudo's to you for building a coupe! mines a roadster, less work. :D
 

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I have the outside of the gas tank all welded. Now i have to make a top for it. I'll see what I have on hand to make the top. Maybe I have enough steel to do a bubble top on one side for mare gas storage. We will see...
 

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I'm telling Ya.....

Quite honestly, I dont think I would ever try to build a tank with a mig, not that it cant be done,
I just think its more of a TIG job....

rsfyj is not afraid to tackle much of anything....I wouldn't attempt it at all, but to do it with a flux welder....the guy amazes me......seriously...:D
 
looking good

i just used an air tank for my gas tank, before i called it quits on the welding. i hooked up the air to the tank and put 60lbs in it and checked for leaks. i marked them and welded them up and checked again and again and again and so on. word of advice, drop air pressure down to zero or you will get a big hole from the metal pushing up, lol. i found out the hard way, lol.
 
Yes there’s lots of different ways of getting a gas tank. Mine has to fit in the trunk opening I made originally. I pressed forward today I found an old heavy gauge radio chassis with no holes in it, so I will use this as my bubble top. I had to bend it some to cover the area i wanted. I have it roughed out. I will press forward and see how many leaks I get, hehehe.
 

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I once made a gas tank for a compressor unit from a refrigerated trailer. I used 2 inch copper pipe and put end caps on it them made a filler and outlet from copper pieces, worked good but needed more capacity
 

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