Enjoy 5% OFF at VEVOR Canada! and Support Canadian Poncho at the Same Time!
Members Login
Username 
 
Password 
    Remember Me  
Canadian Poncho Homepage -> Canadian Poncho -> Pre 1958 Canadian Pontiac Chassis Forum -> What is the best way to remove unwanted frame bracket? - UPDATE
Post Info TOPIC: What is the best way to remove unwanted frame bracket? - UPDATE
davelacourse


Poncho Master!

Status: Offline
Posts: 2249
Date:
What is the best way to remove unwanted frame bracket? - UPDATE
Permalink  

The factory welded a bracket assembly to the frame near the cowl to support the column shift linkage:

bracket.jpg

100702-01.JPG

I want to remove this bracket, because (a) it is not needed since I am using a floor shift and (b) to clean up unnecessary clutter in the engine compartment (which will be much more croweded with the big block V8 than it was with the old straight 6, e.g., might need more clearance for headers). I do not want to leave it there so some theoretical future owner can convert the car back to column shift, that is not an issue, it is now a floor shift car, period.

The question is, what is the best way to remove the bracket? I am most concerned with the rod sticking out of the bracket, but also the portion of the bracket that sticks up above the frame. Ideally the whole bracket would be removed but that is not essential.

Rule out using a torch. I don't have one and would not want to risk getting things too hot near the floor, steering, etc.

My first thought was to use my trusty sawzall to cut off the rod. So that is option #1.

Then, once the old motor was removed and I had plenty of room to work in the engine compartment, I thought maybe drill out the 3 penetrating welds and remove the whole bracket. Not sure how big the holes will have to be, at least 3/8" and maybe 1/2" to cut through all the weld. (Not enough room to chisel off the bracket since it is slightly recessed into the frame.) So that is option #2.

But rather than risk weakening the frame with holes, maybe I should use my trusty sawzall and cut off the bracket level with the top of the frame, leaving the welded-on part. So that is option #3.

What do you think would be the best option?

Thanks,
Dave

UPDATE - skip to the end to find the result, eh?

Dave

-- Edited by davelacourse on Wednesday 14th of July 2010 04:36:52 PM

__________________

56Pontiac  1956 Pontiac Pathfinder 2dr sedan, 496 - dyno'd 545 hp, stick shift, 4.11 posi - Hot Rod

  1964 Acadian Beaumont SD convert, 283 - factory 195 hp, Powerglide, 3.08 10-bolt - Cruiser

  2012 US-built crew cab truck - Daily Driver and Boat Trailering
2drpost


Uber Guru

Status: Offline
Posts: 3463
Date:
RE: What is the best way to remove unwanted frame bracket?
Permalink  

drill out the welds dave is the cleanest way. stop short of going into the frame, work up to a large 1/2" bit, then a couple good whacks with a hammer should free it up.

__________________

 
Nov 18 to Dec 2 Black Friday UP TO 50% OFF Plus Huge Coupons
Nov 18 to Dec 2 Black Friday UP TO 50% OFF Plus Huge Coupons
brad2v


Addicted!

Status: Offline
Posts: 120
Date:
Permalink  

Yup, I'd drill it too, but do youself a favor and but a Blair Rota-broach spotweld/hole cutter, way faster.

__________________
67Poncho


Uber Guru

Status: Offline
Posts: 3677
Date:
Permalink  

 Yup! Times 3.....smile

-- Edited by 67Poncho on Friday 2nd of July 2010 01:06:08 PM

__________________

Vincent Jr.
455gto


Poncho Master!

Status: Offline
Posts: 2525
Date:
Permalink  

Drill it and if the hammer don't work , put a pry bar in and then hit that with a hammer

__________________
67SD396


Poncho Master!

Status: Offline
Posts: 1888
Date:
Permalink  

Before I read all your suggestions, I had my mind made up and I would be cutting it off as per #3 suggestion. The other methods require more time and in the end, it doesn't matter if the welded piece is left on the frame. No one will see it there.

__________________
427carl


A Poncho Legend!

Status: Offline
Posts: 35601
Date:
Permalink  

I agree!!

__________________

 
Nov 18 to Dec 2 Black Friday UP TO 50% OFF Plus Huge Coupons
Nov 18 to Dec 2 Black Friday UP TO 50% OFF Plus Huge Coupons
Fitz


Guru

Status: Offline
Posts: 766
Date:
Permalink  

Drill baby drill!!

Fitz.

__________________

www.FitzbackGarage.com Look for Easy Steering in your vintage Poncho, Look for the EasyDrive Power Steering System in the web site
davelacourse


Poncho Master!

Status: Offline
Posts: 2249
Date:
Permalink  

Thanks guys - anybody else want to weigh in? (bump)

Dave

__________________

56Pontiac  1956 Pontiac Pathfinder 2dr sedan, 496 - dyno'd 545 hp, stick shift, 4.11 posi - Hot Rod

  1964 Acadian Beaumont SD convert, 283 - factory 195 hp, Powerglide, 3.08 10-bolt - Cruiser

  2012 US-built crew cab truck - Daily Driver and Boat Trailering
Canadian Poncho


A Poncho Legend!

Status: Offline
Posts: 27402
Date:
Permalink  

Hang a Tiki head from it and forget about it.biggrin

__________________

Todd
Site Founder

Like us on Facebook. http://www.facebook.com/CanadianPoncho

Canadian Poncho World Headquarters - Prince Edward Island

 
davelacourse


Poncho Master!

Status: Offline
Posts: 2249
Date:
Permalink  

69Laurentian wrote:

Hang a Tiki head from it and forget about it.biggrin



Whoo! That's funny! Although maybe a little rubber shrunken head would be better? Nah, the heat from the headers would melt it ...

Dave



__________________

56Pontiac  1956 Pontiac Pathfinder 2dr sedan, 496 - dyno'd 545 hp, stick shift, 4.11 posi - Hot Rod

  1964 Acadian Beaumont SD convert, 283 - factory 195 hp, Powerglide, 3.08 10-bolt - Cruiser

  2012 US-built crew cab truck - Daily Driver and Boat Trailering
Pontiacanada


A Poncho Legend!

Status: Offline
Posts: 20744
Date:
Permalink  

Mike Holmes has a saying, "Glue it and screw it"!
Darryl has a saying, "Drill it and fill it"!

__________________

Prince Edward Island

'64 Parisienne CS "barn find" - last on the road in '86 ... Owner Protection Plan booklet, original paint, original near-mint aqua interior, original aqua GM floor mats, original 283, factory posi, and original rust.

Nov 18 to Dec 2 Black Friday UP TO 50% OFF Plus Huge Coupons
Nov 18 to Dec 2 Black Friday UP TO 50% OFF Plus Huge Coupons
427carl


A Poncho Legend!

Status: Offline
Posts: 35601
Date:
Permalink  

Just cut it off flush biggrinbiggrin   Then you will always be able to identify your old car...  like a birth mark

__________________

 
Stephenzone


Canadian Poncho Superstar!

Status: Offline
Posts: 4771
Date:
Permalink  

drill it and clean it up. looks nicer even if only you can see it

__________________

sTevE

55 GMC, 70 Pontiac 2+2 rag
4SPEED427


A Poncho Legend!

Status: Online
Posts: 50202
Date:
Permalink  

My immediate thought was a large drill bit and as stated, stop when you get to the frame. I've done other pieces similar to that using that technique and after a couple of shots with the hammer and chisel, a quick grind will make it look like it was never there.

Easy for me to say, 2000 miles away, eh???!!!

__________________

1966 Strato Chief 2 door, 427 4 speed, 45,000 original miles 

1966 Grande Parisienne, 396 1 of 23 factory air cars (now converted to a "factory" 4 speed)
Islander


Addicted!

Status: Offline
Posts: 339
Date:
Permalink  

Drill out the spot welds, make a nice clean job....you know its there even if 95% of the others don't notice. Plus you will never snag your sleeve or skin on it trying to pick up that bolt that's fallen and wedged itself between the header tubes.....Eh?

-- Edited by Islander on Monday 5th of July 2010 11:17:07 PM

__________________
davelacourse


Poncho Master!

Status: Offline
Posts: 2249
Date:
Permalink  

Majority rules - I drilled it smile.gif

That plus a couple of mighty whacks with my BFH and off it came.

100714-02.JPG

A little grinding on the remaining weld and it looks OK (still have to finish prep and paint the frame).

100714-01.JPG

To my surprise, I did not drill into the frame, and only a little bit through the bracket at the very point of the drill - I guess it was just enough to take the strength out of the welds. Used a 3/8" drill bit, slightly smaller than the holes in the bracket.

Anybody need a column-shift bracket? smile.gif

Dave


__________________

56Pontiac  1956 Pontiac Pathfinder 2dr sedan, 496 - dyno'd 545 hp, stick shift, 4.11 posi - Hot Rod

  1964 Acadian Beaumont SD convert, 283 - factory 195 hp, Powerglide, 3.08 10-bolt - Cruiser

  2012 US-built crew cab truck - Daily Driver and Boat Trailering
Nov 18 to Dec 2 Black Friday UP TO 50% OFF Plus Huge Coupons
Nov 18 to Dec 2 Black Friday UP TO 50% OFF Plus Huge Coupons
427carl


A Poncho Legend!

Status: Offline
Posts: 35601
Date:
Permalink  

Good Job

__________________

 
davelacourse


Poncho Master!

Status: Offline
Posts: 2249
Date:
Permalink  

427carl wrote:

Just cut it off flush biggrinbiggrin   Then you will always be able to identify your old car...  like a birth mark


Sorry I did not use the 'cut it off' approach, Carl, but I leave a little bit of the weld marks so there will be 3 'birth marks' on my old car, eh?

smile.gif

Dave

 



__________________

56Pontiac  1956 Pontiac Pathfinder 2dr sedan, 496 - dyno'd 545 hp, stick shift, 4.11 posi - Hot Rod

  1964 Acadian Beaumont SD convert, 283 - factory 195 hp, Powerglide, 3.08 10-bolt - Cruiser

  2012 US-built crew cab truck - Daily Driver and Boat Trailering
427carl


A Poncho Legend!

Status: Offline
Posts: 35601
Date:
Permalink  

That will do... 

__________________

 
2drpost


Uber Guru

Status: Offline
Posts: 3463
Date:
RE: What is the best way to remove unwanted frame bracket? - UPDATE
Permalink  

perfect! wink

100714-01.JPG

__________________

 
4SPEED427


A Poncho Legend!

Status: Online
Posts: 50202
Date:
Permalink  

Well done.

Yes, spot welds get well weakened if you get rid of most of the weld.

__________________

1966 Strato Chief 2 door, 427 4 speed, 45,000 original miles 

1966 Grande Parisienne, 396 1 of 23 factory air cars (now converted to a "factory" 4 speed)
Page 1 of 1  sorted by
 
Quick Reply

Please log in to post quick replies.
Canadian Poncho Homepage -> Canadian Poncho -> Pre 1958 Canadian Pontiac Chassis Forum -> What is the best way to remove unwanted frame bracket? - UPDATE
Tweet this page Post to Digg Post to Del.icio.us
.
Support Canadian Poncho!
Select Amount:
<
.
.
.