Author Topic: Ready to weld on the new roof.  (Read 1500 times)

Offline Chlngrcrzy

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Ready to weld on the new roof.
« on: February 11, 2008 - 06:39:27 PM »
Well i think i am ready to weld the new roof on. For those that haven't followed along with some earlier posts, i purchased one of the new AMD challenger roofs. So far everything looks good. I need a little help in spacing the holes. I have a hand punch and so i don't want to kill myself puching holes. How far a part should they be and how large a hole? Should i start welding in the middle on the window area, or should i start down the sides? Just some general questions. I have the corners screwed down with self-tapping screws, but will have to take out in order to punch the holes. Any input and ideas would be great.




Offline ksierens

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Re: Ready to weld on the new roof.
« Reply #1 on: February 11, 2008 - 08:03:52 PM »
Looks like about 1 1/2" spacing on average between the welds on my roof, and I would probably use 1/4" holes.  Clamp it down as much as possible and jump around with the welds.  Take your time so as not to get it too hot, and remember when grinding down the welds to also take your time and let it cool down.  You can cause as much warpage grinding as with welding.

Have fun!
1970 Triple Black Challenger R/T  440 Six Pack - 4 Speed - 3.55 Dana
Kurt - SE Michigan

Offline hemiken

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Re: Ready to weld on the new roof.
« Reply #2 on: February 11, 2008 - 08:05:34 PM »
Any chance you could post up pictures of how you have the roof sitting now please. :drunk:
1970 Barracuda   (O^--^===|===^--^O)
1971 Barracuda   (O O {]{]{]|[}[}[} O O)
1970 Challenger  (O O [======R/T=] O O)
1971 Challenger  (O O ===== ===== O O)
I pay homage to the best Mopars ever built.

Offline Chlngrcrzy

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Re: Ready to weld on the new roof.
« Reply #3 on: February 11, 2008 - 09:13:21 PM »
Sure. Here's a few Hemiken. Let me know if there is a particular shot you are looking for. Any idea what the little tab is in the rear window frame?

Offline hemiken

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Re: Ready to weld on the new roof.
« Reply #4 on: February 11, 2008 - 09:16:52 PM »
I would say that the notch would be for factory location reference point for when they were built new.   Just make sure you use a two finger pronged vise grip when welding every hole to stop distortion. and move it along as you do each hole. :2thumbs:
1970 Barracuda   (O^--^===|===^--^O)
1971 Barracuda   (O O {]{]{]|[}[}[} O O)
1970 Challenger  (O O [======R/T=] O O)
1971 Challenger  (O O ===== ===== O O)
I pay homage to the best Mopars ever built.

Offline Chlngrcrzy

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Re: Ready to weld on the new roof.
« Reply #5 on: February 11, 2008 - 09:34:26 PM »
Great idea, i was wondering what kind of clamps i would have to come up with. I'll have to pick me up some of those before i start welding. :2thumbs:

Offline farmboy70

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Re: Ready to weld on the new roof.
« Reply #6 on: February 11, 2008 - 10:26:48 PM »
The spacing looks good and looks like it fits great. The tab is probably for hanging it to e-coat prime, just cut it off.
Dave

Offline Chlngrcrzy

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Re: Ready to weld on the new roof.
« Reply #7 on: February 11, 2008 - 11:44:54 PM »
Alright, i'll chop the litttle rascals. :naughty:

Offline hemiken

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Re: Ready to weld on the new roof.
« Reply #8 on: February 12, 2008 - 12:33:10 AM »
If you are after a super neat job you could always use a pair of plug weld pliers. :2thumbs:

They have a copper pad that can not be welded too, and their would be no clean up underneath from penetration because of the copper pad.  Just a thought.
1970 Barracuda   (O^--^===|===^--^O)
1971 Barracuda   (O O {]{]{]|[}[}[} O O)
1970 Challenger  (O O [======R/T=] O O)
1971 Challenger  (O O ===== ===== O O)
I pay homage to the best Mopars ever built.

Offline elitecustombody

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Re: Ready to weld on the new roof.
« Reply #9 on: February 12, 2008 - 08:57:41 AM »
I strongly recommend using Duramix # 4179 LARGE METAL PANEL AND BONDING ADHESIVE 6 FL OZ, Roof panels, Bedside panels and quater panels, no welding necessary. ...it creates alot stronger structure and virtually eliminate any possibility of rust or corrosion forming between two metal parts ,where spot welding lacks.

Speaking from experience,as I do this for a living  ,hope you make right decision

  Stefan
Stefan B

Elite Custom Body = AMD Sheetmetal & Glass at great prices !!


Don't do what's easy, do what's right!!

Offline Ross

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Re: Ready to weld on the new roof.
« Reply #10 on: February 12, 2008 - 12:12:47 PM »
I strongly recommend using Duramix # 4179 LARGE METAL PANEL AND BONDING ADHESIVE 6 FL OZ, Roof panels, Bedside panels and quater panels, no welding necessary. ...it creates alot stronger structure and virtually eliminate any possibility of rust or corrosion forming between two metal parts ,where spot welding lacks.
Speaking from experience,as I do this for a living  ,hope you make right decision
  Stefan

"make the right decision"? 

Are you saying that a factory car isnt put together right?? :villagers:
'70 340 Challenger

A whole lot of rust and very little time to work on it...

Offline elitecustombody

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Re: Ready to weld on the new roof.
« Reply #11 on: February 12, 2008 - 04:37:20 PM »
"make the right decision"? 

Are you saying that a factory car isnt put together right?? :villagers:

I'm saying using Duramix is far more superior to welding,it's upto him to make his choice,welding is my last resort,
Stefan B

Elite Custom Body = AMD Sheetmetal & Glass at great prices !!


Don't do what's easy, do what's right!!

Offline Ross

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Re: Ready to weld on the new roof.
« Reply #12 on: February 12, 2008 - 04:56:26 PM »
Do you have any installations showing this glue in action?

What happens to the glue when it gets old and brittle?
Any tensile and shear strengths of it?

I googled it and all I can find is vendors touting how great it is.
'70 340 Challenger

A whole lot of rust and very little time to work on it...

Offline elitecustombody

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Re: Ready to weld on the new roof.
« Reply #13 on: February 12, 2008 - 06:17:54 PM »
Do you have any installations showing this glue in action?

What happens to the glue when it gets old and brittle?
Any tensile and shear strengths of it?

I googled it and all I can find is vendors touting how great it is.

at this point I don't have any info of the test results,since it  it was years ago I got a Body Shop Business magazine I subscribe to ,they were testing this stuff and it was unreal, they had a few same type,year make and model cars that had roof, quarter and rear body  panels glued on   ,they dropped one from like 50 or 75 feet, rolled another one at high speed and another one was t-boned on the side, they compared it to factory spot welds,I think,I remeber that that adhesive was made by Lord Fuzor, try googling that, it may come up,
 
I don't think you would be asking theese quaestions if you actually worked with this adhesive,

I belive I have a sample of that I took from trade show ,it was two strips of aluminum fairly thick gauge with just a drop of Lord Fuzor adhesive,let me tell you, even with bothe ends on two pairs of pliers , you can not rip them apart, a few years ago I had unpleasant experience replacing a quarter panel that was glued on with Duramix by,it was not fun, cause the only way to remove it was to cut off near th pinchweld and then just use a grinder to remove the remnants of the old panel ,that junk was on  :swear:there, so unless you plan on removing the panels ,do not glue them on :rofl:



Stefan 
Stefan B

Elite Custom Body = AMD Sheetmetal & Glass at great prices !!


Don't do what's easy, do what's right!!

Offline elitecustombody

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Re: Ready to weld on the new roof.
« Reply #14 on: February 12, 2008 - 06:20:43 PM »
and I can honestly say that I'm not a vendor
Stefan B

Elite Custom Body = AMD Sheetmetal & Glass at great prices !!


Don't do what's easy, do what's right!!