Author: DW

Syracuse Nationals

We’ll be heading to the Syracuse Nationals next weekend (July 17/18/19) which is always a good time. For a couple of years we didn’t have vendor space, but this year we decided to get 20′ outside, right in the thick of things in the same aisle as Tucci Hot Rods. The Welder Series ’32 will be there, along with the ’40 sedan. We’ll have some display parts in the “booth” but it’s mainly going to be a home base so that we can meet people there and still enjoy walking around the show.

You’ll also want to keep checking in to the official door prize booth because we’re giving away a couple sway bar kits and a few gift certificates again this year! There will also be a way to snag a free Welder Series T shirt, before they’re gone.

DW Horton

New Website Design

Over the past few months, I’ve been transitioning (no not like that) web store products over to a new web store system (click here to check it out). This is kind of like getting a new interior – you have the same car, same steering column, same brake pedal, only it’s all covered up in a new way. You might get some handy LED lights in convenient places and maybe even a few more cupholders. The new web store has all the same products (almost 700!) but it’s displayed in a new way and the checkout process is easier. A drawback is your account on the old store will no longer work. I’m going to leave the old web store up for probably a year so you can still access your history, but eventually it might come down. It will be accessible under “Old Web Store”.

The other thing I’m working on is changing the look of the main site to a more simple layout. I think you’ll find it easier to navigate.

As always, we’d appreciate your feedback.

Dear Welder Series… which master cylinder?

Dear Welder Series…
Good morning!

I was just wondering if you had a suggested master cylinder to use with your universal under floor brake kit?  Is there one from a specific vehicle that I can pick up from the local parts store?  I have also attached a couple pictures for you of some of your products on my build so far!

Cheers,
Jon

[Jon used some custom length bars on his parallel four link, and our #229000 thru-frame tie rod end mount.]

Dear Jon…
Jon, nice work on your frame! Looks like you have nice facilities, too!

Any GM or Ford master cylinder will fit our brackets, thanks to the slightly elongated mounting holes. Corvette master cylinders are low profile so work nicely in many street rod projects. Be sure to check the street rod shops for them. We found more bore sizes were available and the price was good.

Thanks for the pictures! (And for using our parts.)

Paul Horton

Dear Welder Series… No Door Mustang II?

Dear Welder Series…
Hello from so-cal! do you want to make a lot of people happy? please make a mustang 2 crossmember kit for our 61-67 ford econoline vans and trucks! these things wander all over the road when lowered, and are a handful to drive. one problem is steering column ends up in front of the axle, but with a direction changer from a Toyota vanwagon this could be fixed. please, please consider this project as no one else is making one. if you would like to look at my van, you can google “kurt bohne’s nodoor” or econowest van gatherings at the rosebowl thank you, kurt

Dear Kurt…
Hi, Kurt. I like making people happy. Your NoDoor is a good looking van. We no longer build cars or do installation work, so developing a kit specifically for the axle series Econoline vans would not be an in-house option. We do produce custom parts to drawings/sketches provided by builders. This would be something we could do to help you.

Thanks for looking at Welder Series parts and thinking about us for your project. Please let me know if we can work on this with you.
Paul Horton

Dear Welder Series… X Frame Four Link?

Dear Welder Series…
Hello,

I know your product is universal but am wondering if you know of, or have experience with using this on an “X-Frame” car. I have a 1957 Cadillac which is an “X-frame” that I’m considering using your kit on. I thought I might as well ask to see if you have any info. Thanks!

Dear Alex…
Thanks for asking, Alex. I don’t have any experience with the x-frame Cadillacs, but from the pictures on the internet, it looks like a big job. The rear 4-link installation sheets, for the parallel and triangulated kits, are on our webstore below the description of the kits.

http://welderseries.com/Rear-Four-Link-Kit-Parallel-p51428446
http://welderseries.com/Triangulated-Four-Link-Kit-p49926314

Using them, you might be able to see where the frame mounts could be put and what interference points there will be.

Sorry I can’t give a more specific answer, but thanks for considering Welder Series parts for your project.
Paul Horton

Dear Welder Series… four link for towing?

Dear Welder Series…
Can these be used on a crew cab dually that will be doing some towing up to 10,000 lbs? Also is the hole cut big enough to fit over a 14 bolt which I believe is larger than most street axle tubes??

Dear Corey…
Corey, we make parts for street rods/hot rods and I feel our kits are overbuilt. But I don’t know where their limit is. I might try this if it was my own project, but I won’t suggest you do our R&D. The axle brackets are built for a 3″ diameter tube. They can be opened up for the larger Ford tubes.

Thanks for looking at Welder Series parts.
Paul

Dear Welder Series… Crown Vic motor mounts?

Dear Welder Series…
I am putting a 351m in a 2003 crown vic front suspension, any sugestions on motor mounts?

Dear Vern…
Vern, our Ford mounts are for blocks that have 2 vertical mounting holes on 7″ centers. If your block is like this, either kit will work well.

http://welderseries.com/Ford-Engine-Mounts-Urethane-Bushed-p51163312
http://welderseries.com/Ford-Engine-Mounts-Rubber-Insulated-p51163328

I hope this helps.
Paul Horton

Dear Welder Series… minimum thread depth?

Dear Welder Series…
On the 5/8 – 18 adjuster kit, assuming it has approximately 2.5″ of threads on it, what is the least amount of thread that can be screwed into the 4-link bar and still be considered safe? The application is a 1952 Chevy pickup utilizing an 8.8″ Ford Explorer rear axle. It will have a 400hp small block for power. Thanks.

Dear Joe…
Joe, the generally accepted standard for minimum thread engagement is the diameter of the fastener, or in this case, 5/8”.

Thanks for asking.
Paul Horton

Dear Welder Series… Pinto spindles?

Dear Welder Series…
I have a question  but not sure if i post it here or another way on the site. I am wanting to put pinto spindles on my 70 dodge dart (because i want to put a rack and pinion) and im going to be converting to tubular a arms and a k member. Are all pinto spindles the same and if not what years should i be looking at. Also, are the balljoint tapers the same for mopar and pinto stuff (i heard they were). Ill be putting 73 a body disc brakes on it to get rid of the drum brakes. I love that i found this site. Thank you for any info. If you need me to post another way then just let me know and i will.

Dear Brian…
Good questions, Brian. I can only answer some of them.

There are 2 different Pinto spindles: 1971-73 and 1974-80. (1974-80 pinto and 1974-78 Mustang II are identical.) See  this article to compare. I like the 74 – 78 spindles because they are bigger and are the ones commonly used in Mustang II crossmember kits, including ours. 1971 – 73 are often used on drag race cars, probably because they are lighter. There are big brake kits available for the early spindles, but I’d say you have more big brake choices for the later spindles.

Moog K772 ball joints fit the late spindles, but I don’t know about the early ones. When using the K772 as a lower ball joint on the later spindles, use our K772S spacer and the stock ball joint washer under the nut. Without the spacer and washer, the nut will not draw the tapered ball joint stud into the hole tightly.

I don’t know if adapter kits are available to put the 73 A-body brakes on the Mustang II spindle.

Thanks for checking out Welder Series parts. I hope we can help with your project.

Paul Horton

Wes Killins 1940-2015

This note was sent by Jim Prowse this morning:
“It is with tears of sadness and dismay , that we advise of the death of our great pal and car buddy , Wes Killins.

Wes died peacefully , approx 5 am, on Jan 31 2015 , with family by his side .

Funeral will be at Westview Funeral Chapel , Wonderland Rd , in London Ontario , see their website for details , as arrangements are not yet finalized.
www.westviewfuneralchapel.com westviewfc@rogers.com 519 641 1793

Cards and condolences are welcomed , BUT , please refrain from calling the home , Joan and Scott need their privacy.

sent at the request of Joan , Scott , and Wayne Killins”
Wes was a great guy to be around, and will be missed.