New Quarter Panel - Roof Seam question

[70chall440]

 

[jimynick]

"Pick and choose what you feel comfortable with.  In the end, we are all car guys."
   Yep, what the man said. I think Mike is vehement because he's had first hand experience with, HIS car and he's trying to save anyone else from going down that particular road- that's all. As mentioned, it's your car and you'll do it your way. With all the stiffening you've done, you probably won't have any problems. As for the cracking of leaded seams, I've seen them too, but the areas where high stress and the material thickness was very thin and with the flexing these cars were wont to do in original form, it was a common malady. Good luck and how about some pics of that stiffening? I might have to get out the mig a wee bit yet! 

[70chall440]

I have a thread in the members build area titled 73 Road Race Cuda; there are pictures there of most of the bracing. I have decided that I will fully weld the seams themselves and then see where I am at.

[Topcat]

http://www.restorick.com/tech/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=33

[70chall440]

Thanks, but I still am not putting lead into the car...

[Cuda Cody]

This is a T/A I'm restoring right now.  It's rust free original quarters / roof.  The original lead was perfectly fine, but still took it out and replace it with new lead to be 100% sure there wasn't anything hiding under it.  This is how I would suggest doing it, but do it anyway you want.  It's your car.    

[70chall440]

Very nice Cody; since I am just north of you near Olympia I should get you up to do mine...  Seriously, appreciate the pictures and information.

[rhamson]

I have had two Challengers and both had a crack where the quarter panel meets the back window sill. Both had polyester body filler to mask the seams. What I did to rectify it was weld the joint where the two panels meet and lead in the seam. I leaded the seam as it is impossible to keep the filler from getting too thick. On darker painted cars on a hot day you can ever so slightly see the seem as it grows. On cold days the opposite occurs. Lead will not do this. So if you have a light colored car the sun will not be as much a factor but the cold will still present a problem. Welding it solid like some do is only problematic if you warp the metal from too much heat.

[70chall440]

So, why not weld panel between the two and connect them? So long as you don't warp either or both panels it would seem (no pun intended) that you could effectively eliminate this entire issue. Now, having said that, I understand why the seam is there, I understand if you ever had to replace the quarter (or roof) you would have to cut it all out (kind of moot when you think about it), and I understand that having laminated metal could be a great place for rust to form; however in my case with this specific vehicle, it is HIGHLY modified, not in anyway a restoration.

I completely understand using lead on restorations or even just rebuilding; I am not hating on it. I am discussing only my car in its current state which as I say is pretty far from original (4 link rear, lots of bracing throughout, 1.14" t bars, big sway bars, frenched marker lights, frenched rear quarter electric antenna, etc).

I also understand the issue of differing expansion and contraction rates of the roof and quarter, however it appears to me that if these two were joined completely (meaning fill the seam with a metal strip/panel) that this issue would be minimized.

for the record, my car will be Sublime when done. Oh and just for the record, I am not "scared" of learning to lead or anything of the sort, I am just trying to have an articulate discussion about the whys, hows, etc. This car has been an science experiment from the beginning; some might call it a rolling R&D project.

[Cuda Cody]

You are welcome to stop by my shop anytime you're in my area.  I have a buddy that is a wizard with metal and he has taught me a ton about metal work (he actual did the lead shown in the photos).  There is definitely more then one way to make a seam look good and hold up well over time.  If you're not comfortable with lead and you can weld sheet metal nicely, then go that route.  Sometimes the right answer is based on your skills and resources.   I'm sure whatever you decide it will look nice. 

Very nice Cody; since I am just north of you near Olympia I should get you up to do mine...  Seriously, appreciate the pictures and information.

[70chall440]

Thanks for the invite Cody, I may have to take you up on it.

I am not overly worried about it either way and I am a ways off from the body work. I will decide when I get there and if I need any advice I will hit you up.

thanks, would love to see that TA sometime.

[rhamson]

So, why not weld panel between the two and connect them? So long as you don't warp either or both panels it would seem (no pun intended) that you could effectively eliminate this entire issue. Now, having said that, I understand why the seam is there, I understand if you ever had to replace the quarter (or roof) you would have to cut it all out (kind of moot when you think about it), and I understand that having laminated metal could be a great place for rust to form; however in my case with this specific vehicle, it is HIGHLY modified, not in anyway a restoration.

I completely understand using lead on restorations or even just rebuilding; I am not hating on it. I am discussing only my car in its current state which as I say is pretty far from original (4 link rear, lots of bracing throughout, 1.14" t bars, big sway bars, frenched marker lights, frenched rear quarter electric antenna, etc).

I also understand the issue of differing expansion and contraction rates of the roof and quarter, however it appears to me that if these two were joined completely (meaning fill the seam with a metal strip/panel) that this issue would be minimized.

for the record, my car will be Sublime when done. Oh and just for the record, I am not "scared" of learning to lead or anything of the sort, I am just trying to have an articulate discussion about the whys, hows, etc. This car has been an science experiment from the beginning; some might call it a rolling R&D project.

I would say do what you feel is comfortable. I have seen very good welded sail panels and then some not so good. For my situation the lead was the easiest and quickest way to fill metal in where it can be as deep as 3/16" to a 1/4". That would be a lot of filler material to get done with wire that is barely a 1/16". The cooling periods, overlay of the filler wire and grinding would take far more time than I have to spend on these two areas let alone the gas expense. What ever you do I am sure it will not be for a lack of research and advice.

[70chall440]

I wasn't advocating filling the entire seam with weld; more so making filler panels to bridge the gap between them. I would make it slightly lower than the 2 panels and finish it with some filler. Essentially reducing the amount of whatever filler was to be put in there (lead, plastic, etc).

[rhamson]

That's another way and I have seen that done as well. Lead is just a quicker and easier way and what the factory used in many situations. The only detraction from using lead is that polyester body filler will not stick to it so you have to seal the lead before you use any filler. Good luck! 

[70chall440]

I will figure it out when I get that point, I do appreciate all of the information and even the controversy. I realize no one on here is trying to be malicious, rather most are passionate about the cars which I definitely respect.