so i am thinking about shaving...

[Biesey]

I was looking at my 1800 today, and wondering what it would look like to have the drip rails shaved... any one know how hard is it to do, and suggestions or opinions about it? The car already is having the attenna shaved. It is getting the waist trim, the gas door, and possibly doing the trunk lid as shaved as well.

If i am not mistaken that is where the body and the roof are spot welded together. Would it be wise to do that so?

[fidel]

yes the rain gutter is were the roof and door frames are welded together. so you would have seam weld it after you cut it off, its going to take a while...

[driven sydeways]

it would be worth it though.. your car is coming along awesomely! don't cut corners before painting, unless you want to do it again

[JonnyP]

The technique for that is to cut only an inch or so at a time and weld where the two meet. If you cut the whole thing off first then weld it, it will be warped when your done. after you've done the whole thing inch by inch, then you can grind it all smooth

[Biesey]

The technique for that is to cut only an inch or so at a time and weld where the two meet. If you cut the whole thing off first then weld it, it will be warped when your done. after you've done the whole thing inch by inch, then you can grind it all smooth

that what i am thinking about doing. cutting the rail off in 3 inch sections then putting a couple tacks and keep doing so till i get the rails removed. Then come back and weld in between the tacks oscilating between the different areas.

[Mueller]

you might lose some rigidity of the chassis by removing those believe it or not....

[JonnyP]

I think that would depend on how far apart the factory spot welds are on the flange. I think he means hes gonna tack weld and move around when welding, which is the proper way of doing it to prevent heat warpage. But in the end the whole seam will be welded, which would most likely be stronger than factory.

[Mueller]

I think that would depend on how far apart the factory spot welds are on the flange. I think he means hes gonna tack weld and move around when welding, which is the proper way of doing it to prevent heat warpage. But in the end the whole seam will be welded, which would most likely be stronger than factory.

even if he fully welded the seam it will not be as strong.....

I'll try and find the thread, but on early 911's the number was something like 15% less rigidity when removed...possibly more...I don't see how the Volvo would be that much different

[2fast242gt]

i cant see how you would lose any strength by doing that

[Biesey]

even if he fully welded the seam it will not be as strong.....

I'll try and find the thread, but on early 911's the number was something like 15% less rigidity when removed...possibly more...I don't see how the Volvo would be that much different

I would be interested in seeing that... I am figuring as long as the majority of the weld doen't get ground off it should be good, I intend to use the TIG welder when doing this so i can control the fill quantity.

also i'm pondering the idea of a 6 pt. roll cage, so that might help gain back any lossed rigidity....

[JonnyP]

hmm I know the drip rail adds strength but I would have thought that the whole thing being welded would be stronger. awell if you putting in a cage its not gonna matter either way. Not that it would matter that much in the first place. How did they manage to calculate that anyways?

[262 grand national]

I was planning on welding the inside with a solid bead and cutting off the trim lip. But I don't know how that will work on a bertone. I think that maybe it a lot of the body flex is from spot welds anyways, solid in my book is allways better :).

[Biesey]

I was doing some more reading on it and one of the tricks a guy used on his nova (iirc) was to cut the rail half way a small section at a time then come back and finish the other have tacking it, when he was happy he followed through and welded in sections alternating from front to back not to heat the metal up to much...

I am thinking i am going to follow the same plan, but need to decide when is the best time to do it.

I told my dad what i am planning on doing, all i got was a strange look and a shake from his head. :lol:

[smosit]

i'ld keep the rail, if only to maintain the proper level of chrome. :)

[262 grand national]

i'ld keep the rail, if only to maintain the proper level of chrome. :)

chrome is bad.. no chrome. I plan on shaving everything ecpt door handles. :)

[Biesey]

I am not a fan of the chrome.
I would love to have it with no chrome, but it doesn't look right with it all blacked out. unless the body is all black.... (ponders idea...)

Like Frank Derks 1800, Its a nice car, but the blacked out trim is not my thing.