Author Topic: '84 Dodge Rampage Build Thread  (Read 818116 times)

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Offline Sporty Dan

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Re: '84 Dodge Rampage Build Thread
« Reply #1530 on: May 30, 2017, 08:29:24 PM »
Looking good! You're making huge progress.  :cheers: Keep it up and keep the updates coming.

Offline wheelrdealer

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Re: '84 Dodge Rampage Build Thread
« Reply #1531 on: May 30, 2017, 10:20:52 PM »
Nice work...looks good and strong.

BR
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Offline SteveM

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Re: '84 Dodge Rampage Build Thread
« Reply #1532 on: June 13, 2017, 02:49:45 PM »
Gotta keep posting updates.....



Where the shifter cables will pass through the firewall...



installing a mock-up block for the 1.5L engine, to work out details of the new intercooler and radiator setups....



my first "successful" aluminum welds for the intercooler piping.



new SA2015 helmet.



Old (probably older than me) tubing cutter...



Updated intercooler piping for the 1.5 engine.



Updated plumbing from the 1.5 engine to the new radiator...

That's all for now.  More to come.  Thanks for looking.

Steve.
1/2 of the Rampage Brothers

Offline SteveM

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Re: '84 Dodge Rampage Build Thread
« Reply #1533 on: June 14, 2017, 08:27:24 AM »
Continuing to push forward over the last 2 nights....

We removed the engine, trans, radiator, etc. and prepared to shoot fresh paint in the engine bay.

I spread some seam sealer on the appropriate seams, smoothed it out with my fingers, and decided it was "good enough".



Followed by shooting black epoxy primer in the bay and wheelwells.  This was the first time I've used epoxy primer.  I was shocked to see how thick the epoxy was before being "thinned" with activator.





By that time of night, I decided not to stay up super late and shoot the color, that will have to wait for tonight.

Steve.

1/2 of the Rampage Brothers

Offline Peter Jack

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Re: '84 Dodge Rampage Build Thread
« Reply #1534 on: June 14, 2017, 09:15:59 AM »
Steve, your aluminum welds look pretty good overall and are likely relatively strong but they appear to be dirty. You might want to use a little Scotch Brite after you've wire brushed the pipe ends and then wipe them down with acetone just before welding them. You'll end up with a much better looking and performing weld.

Pete

Offline SteveM

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Re: '84 Dodge Rampage Build Thread
« Reply #1535 on: June 14, 2017, 10:40:37 AM »
Thank you, Peter! 

I'm a complete novice when it comes to figuring out the welder settings and material prep for aluminum.  I'll try scotchbrite on my next attempt. 

I used a combination of a wire brush and some rubbing alcohol on a rag on this first batch of welds.

Thanks again,

Steve.

1/2 of the Rampage Brothers

Offline wheelrdealer

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Re: '84 Dodge Rampage Build Thread
« Reply #1536 on: June 14, 2017, 06:30:22 PM »
Steve:

Might want to bump up the argon a little bit say 15 to 20 and use a #8 cup to cover the weld pool better. If the filler rod gets in and out of the argon shield you will get crude in the weld bead. Also the weld bead will look and act different, like a film that is not shiny from the contamination being introduced by the rod that gets exposed to air.

Looks great. Enjoy your posts.

BR



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Offline Peter Jack

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Re: '84 Dodge Rampage Build Thread
« Reply #1537 on: June 14, 2017, 09:22:29 PM »
Alcohol doesn't have the oomph to do a good job of degreasing. Acetone does the best job followed by lacquer thinner. The acetone wins by far. Just don't leave the top off. you'll be looking for another can. It also happens to be the solvent to use when you're working with fiberglass.

Pete

Offline SteveM

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Re: '84 Dodge Rampage Build Thread
« Reply #1538 on: June 15, 2017, 08:54:14 AM »
Thanks, guys.

I'll pick up a fresh can of Acetone on the way home tonight.  The old one seems to be empty.

I'll also crank up the Ar flow a bit and try a bigger cup size.  Thanks for those tips!

Steve.
1/2 of the Rampage Brothers

Offline wheelrdealer

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Re: '84 Dodge Rampage Build Thread
« Reply #1539 on: June 15, 2017, 09:42:45 AM »
Steve:

I am no certified welder by any means but I have noticed as I weld aluminum more and my coordination skills improve between my torch hand and my filler rod hand I can use the smaller cups. The two things when I started that made for a large scrape pile, too much heat and letting the filler rod  get out of the argon flow.

I found on the polished aluminum you have to give a good acetone cleaning. There must be something the polishing compound leaves on the aluminum.

BR
« Last Edit: June 15, 2017, 03:01:31 PM by wheelrdealer »
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Offline Peter Jack

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Re: '84 Dodge Rampage Build Thread
« Reply #1540 on: June 15, 2017, 11:31:14 AM »
Polishes can leave a residue. You may also be dealing with a clear anodize. That's a dye that's actually penetrated into the surface of the metal. It can be chemically removed using some really nasty stuff or removed with grinding. When you're welding what you know is clean aluminum keep raising the gas flow until you get a clear puddle. Any grey or dull on the puddle is an indication of oxidization.

Pete

Offline SteveM

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Re: '84 Dodge Rampage Build Thread
« Reply #1541 on: June 15, 2017, 02:42:57 PM »
....learning by the day. :cheers:

For the next Al welds (on the 2 liter engine setup), I will make sure that any clear anodizing and/or polishing compounds are completely removed and cleaned to bare aluminum before striking an arc.

As always - thank you very much!

Steve.
1/2 of the Rampage Brothers

Offline SteveM

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Re: '84 Dodge Rampage Build Thread
« Reply #1542 on: June 16, 2017, 08:11:48 AM »
Another day, another update:

I shot the under-hood color last night.  In keeping with my belief that "You get what you pay for", I used a $10 Harbor Freight spray gun....







...I'll be back onto engine & transmission assembly tonight, after cleaning up the garage.

Steve.
1/2 of the Rampage Brothers

Offline manta22

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Re: '84 Dodge Rampage Build Thread
« Reply #1543 on: June 16, 2017, 02:58:12 PM »
Good choice of paint, Steve.

Regards, Neil  Tucson, AZ
Regards, Neil  Tucson, AZ

Offline Stan Back

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Re: '84 Dodge Rampage Build Thread
« Reply #1544 on: June 16, 2017, 04:01:20 PM »
For $10, it doesn't pay to clean it up and reuse it.
Past (Only) Member of the San Berdoo Roadsters -- "California's Most-Exclusive Roadster Club" -- 19 Years of Bonneville and/or El Mirage Street Roadster Records