Body snatched

[Pushrod]

I attached the floor to the body with vette panel adhesive, and put in a 1/4" aluminum plate to mount the shifter and parking brake to. Does everything look ok so far? Please chime in with suggestions.

 

[Pushrod]

Do you guys reinforce the inner body with wood before you start putting fiberglass mat on the floor?

 

[2old2fast]

I'm trying to see what you've done . If the only thing you used to attach the floor is the adhesive ( no cloth or matte ) then you' re destined to fail . You need to sand the adhesive a smooth then glass over the joints w/ either cloth or matte & resin usually about 2" either side of the joint ...

 

[fletcherson]

Do you guys reinforce the inner body with wood before you start putting fiberglass mat on the floor?

I did the floor, I layered reinforcing glas from floor to sides by overlapping each layer like an inch wider than the previous, then reinforced the inside sides with glass. If you plan on functioning doors, plan now. I also boxed the rockers underneath and reinforced the cowl, fore and aft of doors, seat riser, and rear of body under seat with steel all routed into and encased with glass. There are as many ways to do it as there are people doing it... I would suggest reviewing numerous build threads and fiberglass articals, then decide what best suits your build.

 

[Pushrod]

The cloth and mat is the next step.

 

[Pushrod]

I'm trying to see what you've done . If the only thing you used to attach the floor is the adhesive ( no cloth or matte ) then you' re destined to fail . You need to sand the adhesive a smooth then glass over the joints w/ either cloth or matte & resin usually about 2" either side of the joint ...

The glass and mat are next.

 

[fletcherson]

The glass and mat are next.

The strength is in the mat. There are various types and weights on the mat also. Seriously, do some research before jumping into it. I learned a lot about it in the process of my build by reading others ideas and on line stuff. A good selection of various glass mat rollers, etc will make things go smoother too. eBay was my friend for all related supplies. Look at choppinzechs build thread... he is a very talented and knowledgeable glass guy.

 

[Island Girl]

It looks like you've fitted the floor to the trans extremely closely, keep in mind that the engine/trans move a little in their mounts.

Be sure to leave enough space all around that they don't hit the body/firewall when they move.

It also can't hurt to have a little air space between the trans and the tunnel, when you fit the tunnel

 

[2old2fast]

Wood is used for reinforcement AND a place to attach upholstery. ( Reinforcement can be done with glass and resin and something to hold shape, I.e. wood , foam , plastic , etc.

 

[HenrysT]

The glass and mat are next.

Use MAT and not cloth, mat is more flexible, able to form around curves while being bent 90* MORE EASILY . Did you use laminating resin or the waxed resin? Laminating resin just needs to be clean, it should be tacky if not, it's probably waxed. The body is probably waxed resin, so clean, ruff sand, clean again. Seen pics of a few T accidents with the frame and floor still attached but the body is a few yards down the road. Don't be afraid to lap the seam with some wide mat tape.

 

[Spanky]

Seen pics of a few T accidents with the frame and floor still attached but the body is a few yards down the road.

OOPS!

 

[Neshkoro]

The floor, mounted to the frame rails, is what holds the body in place. Make sure you have a good connection between the two.you'll thank yourself later. While you're at it, you might want to add some wood around the inside of the body if you're going to add some kind of upholstery. I just used bondo to attach wood around the top edge of the body. I gives you something to staple into. It was mentioned above earlier. Just reiterating.
Bill

 

[Pushrod]

Thanks everyone, I have 60 sq ft of fiberglass mat and a gallon of resin....I only used the vette panel adhesive to hold the floor in place before I start fiberglassing.

 

[Island Girl]

Don't forget to turn it over after you glass in the inside seams, and glass the underside as well.

From the pics, it looks like you have some space along the sides, outboard of the frame rails, to work with where the floor could tab to the body.

 

[Kurt64]

When I'm on the floor, I put the chain hook on a belt loop.....then I can pull myself up off the garage floor with the chain hoist.

I have an electric winch on my ceiling....I never thought of that.

 

[Snicklefritz]

OOPS!
View attachment 15151

spanky, what movie was that screen cap from?

 

[Spanky]

spanky, what movie was that screen cap from?

Don't know; found it while surfing U-Tube.

 

[Pushrod]

I've been putting in major hours fiberglassing and reinforcing my t bucket body......I don't think it will fly off like Spanky's picture, but all the wood and fiberglass in the world won't save me from a hit like this....

 

[Pushrod]

......the guy in the white shirt probably drove the mini van. They are probably still looking for the t bucket driver.

 

[fletcherson]

That’s why I put the effort into reinforcing my tub with steel so it is very solid and will not separate ftrom the frame. The seat, column, windshield, door posts, seat belts are all directly bolted to the frame through the body, all encased in glass and the rockers are boxed and reinforced with steel. I don’t want to test it out in a crash, but if I hit something or slide into a ditch, etc, I will not be ejected with or without the tub as long as I’m belted... now, a side impact is indefensible imho. As unsafe as these cars are by design, some foresight and effort can prevent a minor event from becoming tragic.