Filler Panel replacement 73 cuda

[redo1973]

I just bought the metal for the entire rear of the car; 2 quarters, taillight panel, and filler panel.  It's my first sheet metal replacement and all parts are AMD.  I plan on starting with the filler panel (Dutchman?) with the idea that I can keep pieces true from that point. I have a couple questions: new panel is missing window trim studs is there a separate package of studs? Anything I should be aware of before I start removing spot welds? I plan to remove the trunk lid torsion bar and then drill out welds.

Next set of questions will be that tail panel for sure.

[Edison1970]

I'm no expert body man but that sounds where I would start in your position.  I replaced the trunk pan, drivers quarter and tail panel on mine.  Buy yourself some sheet metal screws and screw it all together first.  Make sure everything lines up correctly before you start welding.  A friend of mine who owns a body shop told me to support the car under the axle before I removed the panels.  As far as replacement studs, I haven't found any myself.  I was planing on installing 70 style screws and clips for the areas that don't have the studs.

[redo1973]

Thanks. The screw-in solution is what I was hoping for.  I have the car on a rotisserie so it makes it really easy to flip and work on the panel. However, I've not see anyone do quarter panel replacements on one.  I'll probably lower it onto some jack stands like you suggest. I was planning to line-up the Dutchmen with the quarters and tack it into place at the window and do the same with the taillight panel.  This way I have references for the quarters. I didn't want to take a chance of it flexing if I removed everything at once.

[BFM_Cuda]

http://www.ebay.com/itm/120889810252?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649

Looking for something like this? Anlauto recommended them in a thread a while back, but I cant find it atm...

[redo1973]

Thanks for the link. This will be helpful.

[dodj]

I use clecos, a little more convenient than sheet metal screws. Remove and re-attach a lot quicker.
http://www.eastwood.com/panel-holding-system.html

Mine aren't Eastwood, but you get the idea.

[Topcat]

One last thing you need to do when all the metal is hanged and ready to commit on welding:

Trial fit your all stainless steel window trim on the back glass and see how it'll sit.

This is an important thing to do. When I did my Goodmark quarter, it would've been hideous fit & finish had I not double checked how the trim would look once everything was dedicated.

[dodj]

One last thing you need to do when all the metal is hanged and ready to commit on welding:

Trial fit your all stainless steel window trim on the back glass and see how it'll sit.

This is an important thing to do. When I did my Goodmark quarter, it would've been hideous fit & finish had I not double checked how the trim would look once everything was dedicated.

VERY GOOD ADVICE!!!

[Topcat]

Along the same subject is getting the dutchman and quarter to mesh tightly together.

I found this to be somewhat challenging (no put intended) to get the Dutchman and quarters to ride in harmony.

The degree curvature on the Dutchman to the quarters were off on mine. Maybe it was a Goodmark thing.
Hopefully this is a fixed problem by now.

You'll need a bunch of C clamp Vice Grips in varying sizes and types to pinch the panels together tightly and get the tightened proper gap. 

http://www.harborfreight.com/3-piece-locking-c-clamp-set-6002.html

[Topcat]

Here's my quarter I did.

If you need advice, I'll be glad to help.
Send me a PM if you'd like.

[FY1Cuda]

I'm also going to echo what Mike said about checking the fit of the window stainless.  When we did our's, I had to build up the bottom corners of the window opening (with Marglass) because the stainless strips were more curved  than what the sheet metal itself allowed.  In the picture you can see  the trim strip loose in the back window.  I was using it to get the curve right.

[redo1973]

Thanks folks.  I've been building my collection of clamps but I like the Clecos.  I bought trunk weather stripping but never thought about the molding. It's the little things that can hurt. I have it almost removed and will submit pictures.  I'm taking the slow road and removing welds rather than cutting.  Does anyone know if the Dutchmen is tack welded in the window corners?  I can't seem to break it loose and I'm not seeing spot welds inside the window frame.

[redo1973]

I selected the wrong picture.  Here is the driver side.  I removed a glob of weld that maybe someone put to fill in the hole. I thought about patching also but you can see the other corners were rough and I decided on replacing quarters so I decided to replace the filler panel too.

[Topcat]

Thanks folks.  I've been building my collection of clamps but I like the Clecos.  I bought trunk weather stripping but never thought about the molding. It's the little things that can hurt. I have it almost removed and will submit pictures.  I'm taking the slow road and removing welds rather than cutting.  Does anyone know if the Dutchmen is tack welded in the window corners?  I can't seem to break it loose and I'm not seeing spot welds inside the window frame.

Take a rolox that is a medium grit and light go over the areas where the spot welds should be.

The dutchman spot welds are actually on the inside areas.
Dutchman spot welds can be hard to spot sometimes.

[Topcat]

When I did my Dutchman panel, I did it first.
Because I knew everything rode off it's setting.

Install the dutchman first with screws where you'll know that it's exactly where it was before.
Then replace quarter panels after. That'll let you see also how much variation the quarter is when they line up against it also.

I feel this is the best way to make sure everything sits together where it was before.