sheet metal challenge???

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Jul 30, 2007 | 12:29 PM

groho

Thread Starter

4th Gear Member

Joined: Oct 2005

Posts: 1,195

sheet metal challenge???

This is aimed at the guys/gals who've done sheet metal. All the mechanicals are done on the '66 coupe; brakes, susp, driveline, rear-end, motor, electrical. I'm at the point where I can gut the car, and start working on the body. I knowthe trunk floor & rear valance need to be R&R. I'm confident in my abilities, but have never done sheet metal. How difficult is it to replace panels?The plan looks straight forward: support the car, re-inforce panels to prevent buckling, drill out spot welds, etc, etc, test fit new panel. . .test fit again. . .and then test fit again. . .weld. I plan on picking up with welder, 140A gas (110VAC), and some junk doors to play with before I dive in. Any advise??? Lessons learned??

Jul 30, 2007 | 12:34 PM

JBradley500

3rd Gear Member

Joined: Feb 2005

Posts: 614

From: UPSTATE NEW YORK

RE: sheet metal challenge???

If i were you i'd just buy new door shells and swap over all the internals to the doors if you are thinking about putting skins on.

Jul 30, 2007 | 12:49 PM

atomsk680

5th Gear Member

Joined: Dec 2005

Posts: 3,806

From: DFW

RE: sheet metal challenge???

after you cut out the old metal, testfit, trim new panel, test fit, trim, ect, i drilled holes around the new panel and filled in the holes with spotwelds to hold it up

http://www.cardomain.com/ride/2376813/4

theres some pics of before and after

Jul 30, 2007 | 01:54 PM

66GTKFB

5th Gear Member

Joined: Mar 2007

Posts: 2,623

From:

RE: sheet metal challenge???

Practice weldingman, practice.
Jim

Jul 30, 2007 | 02:00 PM

jlg2002

4th Gear Member

Joined: Jun 2006

Posts: 1,483

From: Fontana, California

RE: sheet metal challenge???

Quote:

ORIGINAL: groho

This is aimed at the guys/gals who've done sheet metal. All the mechanicals are done on the '66 coupe; brakes, susp, driveline, rear-end, motor, electrical. I'm at the point where I can gut the car, and start working on the body. I knowthe trunk floor & rear valance need to be R&R. I'm confident in my abilities, but have never done sheet metal. How difficult is it to replace panels?The plan looks straight forward: support the car, re-inforce panels to prevent buckling, drill out spot welds, etc, etc, test fit new panel. . .test fit again. . .and then test fit again. . .weld. I plan on picking up with welder, 140A gas (110VAC), and some junk doors to play with before I dive in. Any advise??? Lessons learned??

Go to mustangs monthly and read the article on the trunk floor replacement. (July 2006) The rear valance is bolt on so not much of a job, just be careful when your tightening it up and practice your welding.

Jul 30, 2007 | 08:01 PM

Astrawn

2nd Gear Member

Joined: Apr 2007

Posts: 150

From:

RE: sheet metal challenge???

Don't try to start at one point and weld in a clockwise motion from start to finish. Tack weld a little go to the opposite andtack weld a little. If you don't the heat will warp the panel. Spot and fill, spot and fill. Its a slow process this is why it costs so much to have it done. My rear quater took a long Saturday just to get it welded in.