blown Fairmont wagon build

[Patrick Olsen]

I don't know how to weld, but just from what I've seen/read elsewhere... Could you save yourself some time by stitch welding, rather than completely welding every seam?

[1onebadfox]

I don't know how to weld, but just from what I've seen/read elsewhere... Could you save yourself some time by stitch welding, rather than completely welding every seam?

It's preference really. If I'm going to do it, I'm going to do it right. Time doesn't concern me at all. A factory installation would be spot welding. Seeing as this is far from a factory car or installation I'm completely seam welding everything in the floor area. Once painted and undercoated it Will make a very clean looking floor. Something very few people will ever see, but I know it's there. And I know it's Right

[Travis T]

And fully welding the seams will strengthen the body.

[roadkill]

It's preference really. If I'm going to do it, I'm going to do it right. Time doesn't concern me at all. A factory installation would be spot welding. Seeing as this is far from a factory car or installation I'm completely seam welding everything in the floor area. Once painted and undercoated it Will make a very clean looking floor. Something very few people will ever see, but I know it's there. And I know it's Right

And that right there is why I call you an artist.

[1onebadfox]

And that right there is why I call you an artist.

Thank you sir. Maybe I can live up to those words. Lol. Gonna try anyways.

[1onebadfox]

Pictures start at bottom and go up. Not sure why they posted backward. I'm trying to Figure out this file hosting on here. Anyway, getting started on the passenger wheel tub. Must have removed 15 pounds of SilIcone from the wheel well. It was nuts. Previous owners work is just piss poor... Pictures pretty much soak for themselves here.

[1onebadfox]

So no real progress to report on the wagon but I did pick up a fee new tools to help with the build.

Got a Woodward fab bead roller


Built a little stand for it. Going to build a motor drive for it next so it can be operated by a foot pedal.


Then my shrinker/stretcher set that has already come in handy.


And of course a little stand for those. Nothing fancy just needs to get the job done.


And my SFI book finally came in for the 25.5 cage. Gonna have to read thIs thing 100 times or more....


Next is to order up the jd tube notcher and tube bender.
Currently building templates for the rear wheel tubs which has proven to be very time consuming...

[1onebadfox]

Getting some work in on the tubs.

Frame notched and boxed. Got the inner face of the tubs templated and cut out.


Working on templating up the tub itself. Wasn't easy as the door structure is in the way on the underside. I'll show that later.


It's gonna be a pretty large tub. As big as I can fit without cutting into the door latch.


Got her cut out. Added .8" to the inboard side to allow for the flange.


Considering this was done with a rubber mallet I'm content with the flange. Sure wish I had a break...


Getting some work in on the shrinker to shape the tub. Still have some work to do.

[1onebadfox]

Finally received my jd notcher and tubing bender. Some beefy equipment here.


And finally got the passenger tub test fit. Still need to finish it out and work out a flat spot or two before final welding but it's coming along nicely.


Almost looks like a mini tub from the front.

[Mike1157]

Can't fix the mistake.

[1onebadfox]

Was there supposed to be a comment or is my phone just messing up?

[FUKAZ28]

Very clean work. Nice job for sure.

[Patrick Olsen]

Was there supposed to be a comment or is my phone just messing up?

It's not just your phone. Mike1157's post doesn't say anything.

[93lxscreampuff]

So any updates on this beast

[1onebadfox]

No sir. Kinda taking a step back from it for a little bit. Still buying parts just haven't been working on it much.

[nelzfoxes]

Judging from your work it doesn't look like you bit off more than you can chew. Just gotta stay the course. My project is all bolt on and it's taking forever. I can definitely understand needing to take a break or re-evaluate. My project keeps getting bigger. What should have been a simple 5.0 5 speed swap has turned into fuel injected long rod 351 with an independent rear suspension. Funny thing is I happened upon a craigs ad a couple months ago for the simple swap version. It was a clean wagon with a carb'd 5.0 with a 5 speed for 3 g's. It sold fast. I have no regrets though. I like the challenge of building something different. I know there are a couple of others out there but I'd like to be one of the few. Keep up the great work and keep us updated. For what it's worth; You bit off more than I could chew. Sorry bout the long post. I'm just kinda where you are. On winter break.

[1onebadfox]

Finally getting back to work on the wagon after a 2 month break to renew my motivation.

Having 5 days off from work this week I've been able to accomplish a few things despite being busy with family for the holidays.
Was able to mostly complete the driver side wheel tub and mount up the upper torque box reinforcements. The lower reinforcements are only half way complete until I finish the rear seat floor section.

Still needs some clean up work on some edges, seam sealed, and cleaned up on the inboard side.


Having the car on a rotisserie really simplifies any under car work. (Note done of the existing welds on the upper torque box area are not mine, they are from the previous owner)


A shot from the inside during welding


Upper torque boxes complete. One wheel tub complete and the other half way.

[1onebadfox]

Getting started on the rear seat floor. Trimming the factory driveshaft tunnel to fit with the rear seat brace.


Starting to template the lower torque box floor area.


After some trimming and beating the center is pretty much complete.


I'm making the lower torque box floor out of 1/8" for extra strength. Will be spot welded sbf seam welded inside and out.


First test fit


Spot welds complete


Starting seam welding. Still more to do but this is my stopping point for the day.

[David Claflin]

Just looked through all of this, have to say you're doing great work, and have a solid skill set. Looking forward to continued progress, and the finished product.

[1onebadfox]

t looked through all of this, have to say you're doing great work, and have a solid skill set. Looking forward to continued progress, and the finished product.

Thanks! Trying my best! Hope my vision for the car is enough to produce another bad ass ride.

[1onebadfox]

A little more progress on the lower torque boxes and rear seat floor.

View from the bottom side after welding in the top. Made a little filler piece to plug the hole where the tubular brace goes through


Burned in!


Also welded in the final piece to the lower torque box reinforcement.


View of the driver side torque box before getting started.


Fabbed up the 1/8" plate to cover the driver side lower torque box


And I just received a sweet of Jesel pro series shaft rockers for my 7721 heads!

[1onebadfox]

Been really hammering out a lot of small details on the rear tubs, rear seat floor, and lower torque boxes. Small but time consuming details not worth taking pics of really.

Anyway, I finally got around to finishing up the passenger side wheel tub. Inner tub face trimmed up and test fit.


all welded up. Seam sealed the driver side tub and rear seat floor area and got everything with a Nice coat of primer. Need a little body work on the passenger tub then I'll be seam sealing that one.


You can see the torque box reinforcement "kit" welded up and bolted in here. Next will be to fabricate the two remaining pieces of rear seat floor then move on to building the rear foot flooring area.

[svtrichie]

Nice. How big of tire you putting under it. Are you going to run the back seat with the tubs

[1onebadfox]

Nice. How big of tire you putting under it. Are you going to run the back seat with the tubs

From fender lip to inner tub face is 17". I'll probably run a 315 drag radial on a 12" wheel. Or maybe a larger radial if I can find one I like. It will have a back seat. Well, two back seats actually. I'm using Kirkey low back Bucket seats for the rear. Gotta haul the whole family.

[1onebadfox]

Received my blower spacer today. I opted for the SFI burst panel option to avoid destroying the crankshaft if it ever has a backfire.

Also got around to modifying the kooks headers to fit after sitting on a shelf for 6 months. They are 2" primary 4" collector headers.