[Tuske427]

It's been a couple of weeks since my last update. Last weekend I worked more on my friend's firebird than mine, so about all I got done was to fabricate a simple sheet metal patch panel that goes in front of the DSE crossmember.

Since I don't have any fancy metal brakes, etc, I had to make this the old fashioned way- hammer the folds and hammer the compound raised areas. I used my welding tank cover for a nice large radius as well as some square stock and clamps to make my 90º bend. It did stretch the metal a bit so I had to use some weight to level it out.

I went to install said panel on Friday and noticed that my DSE crossmember sits crooked in my car. I discovered it when I was trying to align my panel for tack welding in place. Upon closer inspection I see that the crossmember is assymetrical with approx 3/8" more metal (height) on the passenger side. Now the instructions say this part should sit level, so this must mean the frame rails are not symmetrical from side to side. Strange. I didn't like how the panel sat high to the right (it would become more obvious as I weld my sheet metal trunk panels to it) so I trimmed it to sit level in my car.