My '72 B5 'cuda Project

['cudaCruiser]

So I figured the tail light panel was ready to weld in place.



But why is there such a huge space between the tail light panel and the deck lid?
I can put my fingers between there!



Does this look right? I don't have anything to compare it with. 

[ShelbyDogg]

Yes, that is right.You are just looking too closely at it. Make sure that it is even all the way across, then weld it up.

[AARudy]

Looking great! And I love the color!..... good work!   

['cudaCruiser]

The tail light panel is welded in.



All that's left is to weld in the tail light buckets and I can move to the drivers side quarters.

['cudaCruiser]

So Harbor Freight didn't have the same trailer jack that I used for the front end rotisserie,
so I moved it to the back...



...and used a substitute for the front.

 

It ain't pretty but it does what I wanted it to do.



But before I start cleaning up the bottom side I'll probably repair the drivers quarter.

[Chlngrcrzy]

 :2thumbs:Great idea with the trailer jacks. I wish i had thought of that with my homemade rottisserie.

['cudaCruiser]

So I wasn't too happy with the way the rotisserie was working so I rebuilt it.





I'm much more confident in this one not falling apart.
So then I started cutting out the rot on the quarter. No surprises there.









I did however get a suprise when I looked up in the rocker panel...





...and found this tag. It says, "OK SAFETY ITEM". Anyone ever seen that before?

['cudaCruiser]

Finally got some more work done.
Rocker panel and small portion of wheel well patched.



Some tape for a template...



...scavenge some of the old quarter...





...tacked...



...and welded.



 

['cudaCruiser]

Cut out the worst part of the trunk extension.



Used it for a template.



And welded it in.



Next I'll fit in the quarter patch.

[Glennster]

I'm just finishing up my project, we replaced the 7 1/4 rear with an 8 3/4, replaced the 318 with a stroked 340, and swapped the 904 for a 727. I really felt like I did something monumental until I saw this build.......
  My build was like doing an oil change compared to what you've done. You are doing a FANTASTIC job! ! ! ! !
You are amazing Sir! 
It's really cool that your Son in involved, that too is GREAT!!!
Good luck, keep the hammer down!!!

['cudaCruiser]

Thanks for the compliment. This stuff is not easy. I'd be much further along if I knew what I were doing.
Learning this stuff on the fly leaves a lot of room for improvement. I've had to redo almost everything I've done
on this car so far. Every time I move to another piece of work I learn something new. Trying to weld these panels
without leaving a wave seems impossible. That lower front quarter patch is the second one. I've got to get the
rear patch right the first time. This car was never intended to be a show car by no means. But it would be nice
to be a decent 10 footer. Heck, I'll settle for a car that doesn't fall apart going down the road.
 

[coupman35]

Nice work  look like t coning alon great keep it up 

[TKat13]

That is incredible work! Very impressed and it even gave me an idea for my quarters.. thanks much

[Canadian Cuda]

i just found this thread and your doing great. i'm at that same stage of cutting out rust. you are really coming along

[Kapteenikosmos]

Thanks for the compliment. This stuff is not easy. I'd be much further along if I knew what I were doing.
Learning this stuff on the fly leaves a lot of room for improvement. I've had to redo almost everything I've done
on this car so far. Every time I move to another piece of work I learn something new. Trying to weld these panels
without leaving a wave seems impossible. That lower front quarter patch is the second one. I've got to get the
rear patch right the first time. This car was never intended to be a show car by no means. But it would be nice
to be a decent 10 footer. Heck, I'll settle for a car that doesn't fall apart going down the road.
 

I know what you mean. I had about the same kind of work on mine as you are doing on yours and mine was also the first car I have ever welded on. Lot's of stuff got redone before I got it in primer.

I'm also building a driver and not a show queen so in my case I went pretty freely with bondo to get the lines back where they should be. Hopefully the bondo will last, atleast all the rust is gone.

Still, great work!