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Welding on an Operable Vehicle

Discussion in 'Builds and Fabricators Forum' started by Saltfactor, Sep 13, 2006.

  1. Sep 13, 2006
    Saltfactor

    Saltfactor New Member

    Wilmington, NC
    Joined:
    Apr 18, 2006
    Messages:
    30
    What's the story with welding on an operable vehicle w/fuel tank installed? I know my '64 "5" has the basic evaporative system, but the vehicle in question is my "7" Matilda. Her rear inner fenderwell evap. cannister and lines have been removed and defeated. The engine compartment cannister has been deleted, and the line to the rear capped off. I want to add a hoop behind the windshield frame so I can tie horizontal section from the hoop to the factory bar. I also want to further develop the "body-work" so I can use my full soft doors, and they'll need something to close against/latch attachments etc. So logic suggests plenty-o-cross-ventilation, and check all fuel lines? Any other safety/life saving precautions/procedures? Thanks for any advice. Regards, -K-
     
    Saltfactor, Sep 13, 2006
    #1
  2. Sep 13, 2006
    sparky

    sparky Sandgroper Staff Member Founder

    Perth, WA
    Joined:
    Sep 20, 2002
    Messages:
    9,221
    Never had any problems. Not like fuel should where the sparks can reach it, it should all be enclosed. ;)

    Just disconnect the battery.
     
    sparky, Sep 13, 2006
    #2
  3. Sep 13, 2006
    lynn

    lynn Time machine / Early CJ5 HR Rep Staff Member

    Huntingdon PA
    Joined:
    Sep 20, 2002
    Messages:
    3,437
    Yep, check your fuel lines.
    Be sure any fuel storage (like lawnmower gas can) is well out of range.
    Keep your ground clamp as close to the work as possible.
    Weld spatter can and will start fires in cardboard, cloth, and even plastic wire loom! Protect everything flamable from weld spatter. Protect everything that has an important finish from weld spatter... including paint, windshield glass, seats... etc.
     
    lynn, Sep 13, 2006
    #3
  4. Sep 13, 2006
    sparky

    sparky Sandgroper Staff Member Founder

    Perth, WA
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    Sep 20, 2002
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    9,221
    Spatter, true, I had some old sealed beam headlights that had some spatter on them.
     
    sparky, Sep 13, 2006
    #4
  5. Sep 13, 2006
    MCSCOTT

    MCSCOTT Member

    Columbia, Tn
    Joined:
    Apr 24, 2006
    Messages:
    905
    X2 on all of that. Only ever had one problem with a hybrid we were building where my cousin was welding some rock sliders on the side of the frame and didn't consider the fuel lines since there wasn't a tank in the truck yet and they weren't hooked up to the carb. He didn't think about the fact that there might still be fuel in the lines and caught the truck on fire. Only burned a little bit of the truck up though.:) Check all that has been mentioned and you should be ok.
     
    MCSCOTT, Sep 13, 2006
    #5
  6. Sep 13, 2006
    Saltfactor

    Saltfactor New Member

    Wilmington, NC
    Joined:
    Apr 18, 2006
    Messages:
    30
    Thanks for all your replies. I appreciate the information. Due to the way Matilda is currently configured the fuel tank is easily accessible so I'm going to get a welding blanket to cover it with as an added precaution. It may actually be unnecessary but I figure it can't hurt and will lend some peace of mind. -K-
     
    Saltfactor, Sep 13, 2006
    #6
  7. Sep 13, 2006
    w3srl

    w3srl All-around swell dude Staff Member

    Port Orange, FL
    Joined:
    Nov 6, 2002
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    4,275
    Don't forget to take off your vintage Seiko diver's watch before welding ANYTHING. Weld splatter will pit even a mineral crystal on a decent watch. :rofl:
     
    w3srl, Sep 13, 2006
    #7
  8. Sep 14, 2006
    Rondog

    Rondog just hangin' out

    Parker, CO
    Joined:
    Aug 25, 2005
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    2,918
    Weld spatter will f' up just about anything, really does a number on chrome parts too.
     
    Rondog, Sep 14, 2006
    #8
  9. Sep 14, 2006
    PeteL

    PeteL If it wasn't for physics, and law enforcement... 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Hills of NH
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    Aug 3, 2003
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    I hope you are doing this outside. I knew a guy whose vehicle burned up an hour later, after he'd been welding on it, while he was gone to lunch.

    Pete
     
    PeteL, Sep 14, 2006
    #9
  10. Sep 17, 2006
    firegod33

    firegod33 Member

    Grand Junction, CO
    Joined:
    Jul 7, 2003
    Messages:
    154

    It can even do a number on a marriage. My ex got pretty upset when I started wearing my wedding band on a chain because I got a piece of spatter stuck on the inside of the band.

    Don't ask where my gloves were. I was a lot younger, then.
     
    firegod33, Sep 17, 2006
    #10
  11. Feb 3, 2007
    Deak

    Deak Deak

    Jamul ca.
    Joined:
    Feb 1, 2007
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    13
    If your using a wire fed arc welder you can use a fan to blow fumes away.This method wont work with a mig welder it blows away the argon shielding gas then your welds come out crappy.
     
    Deak, Feb 3, 2007
    #11
  12. Feb 5, 2007
    bkap

    bkap Gone, but not long gone.

    Tucson, AZ
    Joined:
    Sep 9, 2006
    Messages:
    784
    My 2 cents: If you have a high energy ignition, such as an MSD or the like, you might want to consider unplugging it, at least the ground. MSD once told me this wasn't necessary, but if you've ever chased an ignition problem around and around a vehicle, an extra couple of minutes getting the electronics out of the loop is time well-spent... Some guys even undo the battery.

    Just a thought. :rofl:
     
    bkap, Feb 5, 2007
    #12
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