Welding safety question

[19Fordy]

I need to make 4 tack welds on the rear brake drum retainers I am installing on the left rear wheel of my 40. This is a proto-type retainer and it has to be welded while on the car to fit properly. Since MIG welders make sparks I am concerned about possible fumes from the gas tank filler pipe or tank vent causing an explosion as the filler pipe is so close to the rear wheel area. I don't currently smell any gasolene fumes or know of any leaks, but still am concerned. If I shield off the area inside the fender opening or use a fan to blow away any possible fumes do you think it will be safe to make the tack welds. I will disconnect the battery. Thanks.

[PeteVS]

I think (IMHO) that you'd be ok if you have some type of shielding. If you're only doing a tack weld or two, there shouldn't be too many sparks. Keep in mind that if you have a fan running, in addition to removing gasoline fumes, you'll also be blowing away shielding gas so you want to turn up the gas flow in that event.

[Seth Swoboda]

TIG weld it.

[19Fordy]

Seth, That was my first thought, BUT I don't have a TIG welder.
It would be neat if there was a "sparkless MIG".

Maybe I could wrap the filler pipe area with a fireproof blanket or some
other material.

[xix32]

I am puzzled about what you are going to weld those onto?
I made some also, after they were formed mine bolt onto the wheel cyl. bolt holes.
no welding required.

[peewee2you]

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19fordy, I would soak an old towel with heavy amount of water ring out a bit, leave gas cap on of course, and drape over cap and filler pipe.

[Tinker]

I tigged a small piece of a clutch fork that broke on a vw bus once. Gas tank is just a foot above it. Layered a bunch of sheet metal to create a barrier and had someone with a fire extinguisher close buy. All went well, but it was a little nervy.

I'd wrap it with a wet blanket (or a fire blanket) like peewee said, wedge some sheet metal as a shield (you wouldn't want a spark to sit on the blanket), and tac it. More barriers the better.

Be careful and if you don't feel good about it, don't do it.

[19Fordy]

Originally Posted by xix32

I am puzzled about what you are going to weld those onto?
I made some also, after they were formed mine bolt onto the wheel cyl. bolt holes.
no welding required.

Mine also bolt to the wheel cylinders, but I have an idea to make them stronger which requires joining both of the separate brackets together with another piece of steel so that both brackets can be removed and installed as one unit.

[G.M.]

You could use a spot weld noozle which confines all of the sparks. They make them for the flat position or an inside corner. G.M.

[51 MERC-CT]

Originally Posted by 19Fordy

Mine also bolt to the wheel cylinders, but I have an idea to make them stronger which requires joining both of the separate brackets together with another piece of steel so that both brackets can be removed and installed as one unit.

Bolt and/or drill and tap assy together while in place, -then remove and weld as required.

[cmbrucew]

19FORDY


Bolt them to an old wheel cylinder and do your welding on the bench, away from the gas fumes.

Bruce

Works good
Lasts long time

[V12Bill]

Originally Posted by peewee2you

19fordy, I would soak an old towel with heavy amount of water ring out a bit, leave gas cap on of course, and drape over cap and filler pipe.

I was in the auto body business for 25 years and when replacing a 1/4 panel on the gas filler side, we always draped a water soaked rag around the filler opening with the cap on. At that time we were brazing with an open torch flame. I was always nervous about this, but more experienced workers had no qualms. Never saw or had a problem or heard of a problem using this technique.

[296 V8]

Id weld that in place and not give it a second thought … after checking that any rubber tubing is in good condition.

[woodiewagon46]

If you are jacking the car up I would jack it up the day before you are going to do the welding to prevent the gas from sloshing around and causing fumes. Be sure to cover the vent tube and the filler neck and have a good fire extinguisher handy.

[19Fordy]

Thanks for all the answers. I did more thinking and used a strip of metal and JB Weld to temporarily keep the two brackets "in position" before removing them as one unit. That way they remained in the same position as when secured to the wheel cylinders. Now I can use my MIG welder at my workbench and also remove the JB welded piece. Thanks again to all who responded.

[Royal Ryser]

I think that's a great idea. How about some pics when you have finished them?

[PeteVS]

Did you consider making the retainer out of one piece and holding it with the brake anchor pin nut?

[Dale Fairfax]

X 2. I guess he's never been in a muffler shop-or a body shop.

Originally Posted by 296 V8

Id weld that in place and not give it a second thought … after checking that any rubber tubing is in good condition.

[19Fordy]

Originally Posted by PeteVS

Did you consider making the retainer out of one piece and holding it with the brake anchor pin nut?

Yes, I thought about that but the anchor pin threaded stud is not long enough to accomodate the 3/16 in. thickness of the brake drum retainer metal.As the metal bracket gets thicker, less nut is available for a wrench to adequately fit. Plus, I didn't want the problem of having to adjust the brake retainer and tighten the anchor pin nut at the same time. I wanted to be able to remove the brake drum retainer as a separate unit without having to loosen the anchor pin nut.
At first i made the retainer out of one piece of 3/16 in. thick metal but found that I could not obtain sufficient clearance between the inside dia. of my 15 in. wheel and the the top surface of the retainer. If I were using the stock 16 in. rims there would be less of a clearance problem. My goal is to make a very sturdy brake drum retainer out of 3/16 in. steel that will allow the use of a 15 in. rim on the 1939 MT Products Lincoln brake drum kit.

[19Fordy]

Originally Posted by Royal Ryser

I think that's a great idea. How about some pics when you have finished them?

OK, I will post photos when completed. It will be a little while, though.