How do you level your Mustang?

[abrahamfh]

I have read a lot about making sure the Mustang is level before any welding work begins.

What does this mean?

I can take it literally and use a carpenters level on the fender aprons but I dont really think that is what it means.

Can someone enlighten me please.

 

[gtscode]

I would take this to mean a couple of things. Primarily that your frame is straight. Do you have all of the frame measurements that would allow you to take some measurements? The very first thing I did with my car was have the frame straightened as I wanted a solid foundation for all of the work.

The secondary meaning is that the car is square and sitting as it would if the car was sitting on all four wheels. When you cut metal out things can shift or bind you don't want to weld pieces under loads or pressures that would cause unnatural binding or pressure once you put the car back on all four wheels.

Use cross bracing and make sure the car is square before welding.

Good luck I am impressed with what you are taking on.

 

[manley]

I literally levelled mine with a carpenter's level because the floor it is sitting on is not perfectly level. Doing this before cutting out things like torque boxes and frame rails helped me to make sure nothing shifted. I also take as many measurements as possible so that the new pieces go back in just the way the old pieces were welded on.

I have the added benefit of having 4 other 69/70 Mustangs to reference in case the new parts just don't seem correct. Amazingly enough, I have measured the same point on all of the cars and came up with 4 different measurements. Off the top of my head, I remember the distance between the front fender aprons varying an inch! these cars were not held to very tight tolerances at all.