"BLACK WIDOW" 68 Firebird MetalWorks Pro-Touring build

[MetalWorksClassics]

Originally Posted by classiccamaro

Great to see the quality work going into this car....keep the updates coming!

Thanks a lot guys, we appreciate it...

[MetalWorksClassics]

The next big step was floors...we removed the seat risers, welded in the new floors sections, then put the original risers back in place.

[MetalWorksClassics]

Here are a few more pics...

[preston]

Looks good and this is not a comment on your shop/work at all, but I've never understood the point of grinding down welds that will be covered in sound damping and carpet. For me personally I find grinding down welds to be extremely tedious and time consuming. Obviously required on things that get paint or Ridler contenders but always seemed so pointless on floors, especially considering you actually lose some theoretical strength.

Is that just considered part of the process of doing a quality job ? I mean there is no functional reason to grind down internal hidden welds is there ?

[98ssnova]

Originally Posted by preston

Looks good and this is not a comment on your shop/work at all, but I've never understood the point of grinding down welds that will be covered in sound damping and carpet. For me personally I find grinding down welds to be extremely tedious and time consuming. Obviously required on things that get paint or Ridler contenders but always seemed so pointless on floors, especially considering you actually lose some theoretical strength.

Is that just considered part of the process of doing a quality job ? I mean there is no functional reason to grind down internal hidden welds is there ?

From my own standpoint I would say pride in knowing I did the job to what I would want it to be. Leaving them as is I would know they were not done a 100%. I know that nobody will ever see them but to me it's about craftsmanship/quality of your work.

[awr68]

I agree with Mike. I actually had a friend stop by when I was installing my SFC's and raising the trans tunnel. He couldn't understand why I would dress all the welds if I was going to put carpet in. I just smiled and said why wouldn't I?

To me it's just a matter of knowing I did the best I could.

[Tuske427]

Sweet build, it's nice seeing another 'bird gettin' some love on here!

[MetalWorksClassics]

Originally Posted by preston

Looks good and this is not a comment on your shop/work at all, but I've never understood the point of grinding down welds that will be covered in sound damping and carpet. For me personally I find grinding down welds to be extremely tedious and time consuming. Obviously required on things that get paint or Ridler contenders but always seemed so pointless on floors, especially considering you actually lose some theoretical strength.

Is that just considered part of the process of doing a quality job ? I mean there is no functional reason to grind down internal hidden welds is there ?

Very good question, and thanks everyone for the input...for us it is mostly a preference of wanting our work to look as clean as possible, and for the floors to look stock...if down the line someone pulls back the carpet and sees thick weld lines, it is obvious there was floor work performed...we'd prefer it not show...

[MetalWorksClassics]

Originally Posted by Tuske427

Sweet build, it's nice seeing another 'bird gettin' some love on here!

Thanks a lot...your build is looking awesome!!!

[MetalWorksClassics]

Here we are starting to mock up the Firebird's components...starting with the front stub.