72 Cuda Resurrection

[Edison1970]

After staring at the tail panel for 45 minutes, I think I am going to replace it.  I have some questions for any of you guys that have been down the road I am on now.  If I am replacing the tail panel, should I replace the corner tail panel brackets?  Should I continue to finish the trunk pan first?  My next thought was to replace the driver's quarter panel after the trunk and the tail panel is replaced.  Do I need to weld in some temp braces?  Sorry to ask so many questions.  Since I have never gone this far in repairs before, I just don't want to make any mistakes.

[Edison1970]

Back at it again.  Decided to remove the tail panel since the rust was more than I wanted to fix.  Also decided to put a 70 tail panel in.  Today I fixed the trunk gutter that is attached to the filler panel.  Both sides had rusted from the bottom.  I took the old trunk gutters I removed and used parts of it to fabricate the new pieces.  Came out pretty good.  Still need to zap a few spots but pretty much done.  Going to cut the driver quarter and outer wheel well next.

[mrbill426]

Progress.. looking good! 

[Edison1970]

Well, cut most of the rear quarter off today.  Was surprised to see that the rust in front of the rear wheel was mostly on the out side.  Bad, the outer wheel house was mashed pretty good at one time.  I'm going to see if I can fix it.  If not, I bought a replacement just in case.  Does anyone think I need to weld in some temporary braces when I remove the outer wheel house?

[Topcat]

  Does anyone think I need to weld in some temporary braces when I remove the outer wheel house?

I replaced my outer wheelhouse while on a rotisserie. It didn't affect body rigity when I removed it.

You might want to add some type of frame connector whether it be temporary or better yet, permanent prior to taking the outer wheelhouse off. Your roof is the main thing holding everything together along with the inner structural parts & bracings.

My doors shut perfectly now after I did the metal work BTW.

[Edison1970]

Thanks for the reply.  I guess I will fab a quick brace to attach to roof frame work.  By the way, what is the function of the bracket that is attached to the outer wheel house.  The one to the rear.  It's not attached to anything on my car.

[Topcat]

the brace on top of the housing?

That is what the jack sits on.

[Edison1970]

Thanks.  I was wondering where the jack was mounted.  I am going to see if I could salvage the outer wheel house.  No real rot, just got banged up at one time.  I'm going to see how the new quarter fits to it.

[Edison1970]

Well, I found more trouble when I removed the quarter panel.  As you can see by the pictures, the support for the roof was rusted through.  This was quite a challenge.  I didn't want to cut to much of the roof out.  Fabricating the 2 pieces was a pain.  I think they came out good.

[Edison1970]

[Topcat]

Memories seeing this..

On thicker metal, you can turn up your welder a little more.
they should be sufficient.

Try to get the rolled nickels laid out look.
Strong welds are best.

[Rotax]

nice work just went thru all that on a challenger

[Edison1970]

Thanks.  Just about ready to weld in the trunk pan.  When I bought the car, the guy gave me a brand new 2 piece trunk pan he had bought from year one.  I can't remember the date on them but I wasn't impressed with the fit.  For the amount of work I have put into them, I wish I had just purchased a one piece. 

[Edison1970]

Finally got the trunk pan in.  It was definitely not my favorite task on the car.  The contours and the overall fit was not that good.  When I welded the center seam, the pan warped slightly.  I'm just glad to be done with it.  I need some help on the next step which is to possibly replace the outer wheel house.  I fixed most of the rusted spots on the original.  The spot that is troubling is lower leading edge that is connected to the rocker.  The steel has some pitting.  I purchased a replacement and I am on the fence to replace the whole thing.  If I do decide to replace it, how is the best way to remove it?  I see that it is sandwiched between  the inner and some bracing.  Would it be easier to drill out the spot welds with a drill bit instead of spot weld remover? 

[Edison1970]

I decided to cut and patch the outer wheel house.  Came out good.  Test fit the quarter and all looks good.  Now I can start to fit the quarter and the tail panel.