A new slide show on the “MR2 VW Bug Pics Page 4” page shows the lower VW bug fire-wall unit that contains the Toyota MR2 3SGTE motor mount.
New pics on the “MR2 VW Bug Pics Page 4” page
1
Tag Archives: custom frame
Bend #2 in the VW bug’s front fire-wall plate #159
Now that I have transferred the exact measurments to the VW bug fire-wall steel, I will again clamp it between two angle pieces in my vise and start the bend. I double check it with the board to make sure it is perfect.
Set up for second bend in the VW’s front fire-wall plate #158
With the first bend in the fire-wall complete, I need to bend the other side. The measurement here is critical, if the bend isn’t exactly right the fire-wall plate will not fit. If I bend it too short I won’t be able to weld it on and if I bend it too long it won’t fit into the frame work. I cut a 2×2 piece of wood to fit and then carefully transferred this measurement to the steel, now I have to bend it.
Bend over the edge of the VW’s front fire-wall plate #157
With the steel fire-wall sheet clamped in the vise, I can manually bend it over. I am using two 1.5×1.5 angle pieces to extend the clamping surface of my vise. I slowly bend it over to get a good edge.
Start to create the VW bug’s front fire-wall plate #156
With the rear engine cage members in place, I can now refocus on the front fire-wall. I will be using a 12 ga. steel sheet to create the fire-wall itself. I need to bend it on the ends for more strength. A couple of angle iron sections clamped in the vise should do just fine.
Finish weld-up on the VW bug’s rear engine-cage #155
The VW bug rear engine cage is now complete. I have positioned and welded on the two rear angle members as far as I can get them until the frame is removed from the MR2 3SGTE motor to weld the back side. I angled these two pieces opposite the front fire-wall to try and give the frame better triangulation.
Cut out the VW bug’s rear engine cage angle members #154
I need to install a couple of angle braces in the VW’s rear engine cage similar to the front fire-wall. I again used the foam board to get the correct size and shape of these two framing pieces. I now have both units cut to fit, so all I have to do is position them and weld them in.
Finish welding on the VW’s rear engine-cage members #153
With both VW bug rear engine cage members tacked in place, I removed all the bracing and finished welding everything I can get to for now. I will finish welding behind the cage when I remove the frame from the MR2 3SGTE engine later.
Cut and fit the VW bug’s 2nd rear engine-cage member #152
With the 1st Toyota MR2 3SGTE engine cage member in place, I need to position the 2nd. These two members are the same size and need to be exactly parallel to each other as well as square to the VW bug frame plates. After determining the location of the 2nd member, I cut a couple of wooden blocks on the power miter saw. The blocks are exactly the same size and the edges are square. With these blocks clamped in place between the two rear cross members I tacked everything in place.
Cut and fit the VW bug’s 1st rear engine-cage member #151
I am using the same 1.5×1.5 inch square tubing for the VW bug’s rear engine cage. This process took awhile to get the first member cut to fit and aligned. I used one of my long bar clamps to bind the rear engine plate frames together to hold the piece in place for welding.