I took a quick look around and didn't find anything on this. So I apologize if this has come up before.

Does anyone know of a website that has a bit of a step-by-step or good detailed progress photos of items like:

-Inner (rear) wheel well installation
-Trunk patch panel installation
-Rear quarter installations

I have a '66 Beaumont Sport Deluxe....and I'll (eventually) be doing the above. I'm not rich, so I'll be doing it myself. I have LOADS of time to learn and want to do it right. My project has no deadline.

Any help will be greatly appreciated.

Lyle

No body help out there??

Another question....

....What's a good welder to use for simply body work?

I've been looking at something like this...

Link 1 (http://www.canadiantire.ca/assortments/product_detail.jsp?PRODUCT%3C%3Eprd_id=84552444190 0843&FOLDER%3C%3EbrowsePath=2534374303517562&FOLDER%3C%3EbrowsePath=2534374303517587&FOLDER%3C%3EbrowsePath=1408474396669869&FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=1408474396669869&ASSORTMENT%3C%3East_id=1408474396670271&bmUID=1107892678307)

or one like this...

Link 2 (http://www.canadiantire.ca/assortments/product_detail.jsp?PRODUCT%3C%3Eprd_id=84552444190 0847&FOLDER%3C%3EbrowsePath=2534374303517562&FOLDER%3C%3EbrowsePath=2534374303517587&FOLDER%3C%3EbrowsePath=1408474396669869&FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=1408474396669869&ASSORTMENT%3C%3East_id=1408474396670271&bmUID=1107892678295)

Will either of these work fine for body work on my Beaumont?

Thanks.

Lyle

(Idiotic, shoot-from-the-hip posting deleted)

I'm a novice also. Have been a member for sometime. Do a search. ;) Lots of info on your questions. Also check on the chevelles.com homepage the links below the tech link. Tech reference :cool: and etc. has alot of info. Purchase a book at the local bookstore about auto restortation. smile.gif

According to the time stamps on the posts, there is a total of 21 hours difference between your first post and the last post. I'm sorry that the experts here were not able to answer your question in as timely a fashion as you desired. However, I have seen and read some of the posts from the experts. They are always ready and willing to help the novices.

I agree, we always try to help. Not elitists at all!

There are many many many posts a day on TC. Sometimes we only get a few minutes to log on and check things out. We have to pick and choose subjects that grab our attention, sometimes it's the title of a post that either does or does not compel us to click on it.

Sometimes some guys will say (not me, necessarily) "Who is this guy, he's never been here before, then all of a sudden he needs help so he joins us? Wtf? Where was he when I had those ignition problems?" etc. Like I say, not everyone will look at it like that but others prefer you "put in your time" before you start asking for help.

Don't take it personal. Yeah, it's unusual for a post to go 24 hrs without someone answering it, but not unheard of. You are also asking for a pretty specific thing (step-by-step intructions on a website). Just because no one answered doesn't mean no one cares to help you, just no one has a website on hand!

Also, do take some time to search before asking. I know you did a quick look, but sometimes guys get tired of posting the same info over and over again. If you really can't find something, then by all means ask. But do give the search engine a gd chance.

Maybe 200 people at any time but most are browsers, probably less than 20 "regulars" on at any given time, and the regulars tend to have the knowledge you are asking for and are more apt to post stuff.

I have experienced the attitude you refer to in the past but you won't find much of that here. Just contain your frustration, no one will want to help you if you so quickly degenerate into name-calling.

Your links to Cdn Tire are difficult to use, especially for the American guys, cuz it doesn't go where u think it does, it asks for a postal code, only then does it go to the welders and only if they are carried in that locale. The US guys don't know our postal codes. And in my case, the welders weren't available nearby so I couldn't even view them.

Here is a link to a gd entry level welder discussion from a week or so ago. Like I say, try a search first.

http://www.chevelles.com/forum/ultimatebb.php/topic/3/12203.html#000010

Do what I did. Check peoples signatures. Heres one that I used when doing my 65. Hope he don't mind me posting it. IF so we can remove it.

SmithyJC (http://webpages.charter.net/65chevelle/)

Agreed!!

Frustration got the better of me. I apologize. I use these type of discussion boards all the time (on a completetly different hobby) and get far more responses with far fewer people on-board. Guess I expected the same here.

However, I still struggle with the stereotype that I described above. It seems ever since I got my car out to work on it (last summer), I run into nothing but 'gearheads' that won't give me the time of day. You go to a parts shop or a wrecker and start talking about your project......and they sit there looking at you with that face that says, "I couldn't give a crap about your silly project"!! I talk to some of the people in the Car Club that I belong to, and it seems if you're not within spitting distance from the Club home-town or have a shop with every tool on the planet...you just don't get the time of day.

Oh well....

Guess I'll just have to keep plucking away at it until someone takes me seriously. It can be real tough if you don't come from a mechanic family or have a ring of friends into muscle cars.

I'll try to have more patience in the future.

Cheers,
Lyle

Think about it, you are asking for detailed instructions on how to cut off a panel and replace it..why not do what I did before there were these forums? Look at the car and figure out how it was put together, take it apart the opposite way, and put it back together. I dont see how someone can give you step by step instructions, basically everything is remove and replace by cutting and drilling spot welds. If you do a search there is tons of info on the same questions, and also many posts on welders. There are also lots of books on bodywork and plenty of websites out there showing panel replacement, just have to look. The guys here are excellent and have helped me a ton. Normally the people who dont get responses seem to have a similar attitude to you. Now check out the suspension forum and ask what disk brakes fit your car smile.gif

Will throw my .02 in here. Trunk floor panels are straightforward. Lay the new panel over the existing, mark where it will overlap, then cut out. I prefer to leave a 1" overlap and do plug welds. Prime with weldable primer, finish with seam sealer on both sides.

1/4 panels - other that a patch panel - I leave this to a pro.

Wheelhouse - have the pro do it when he replaces to 1/4" panel.

Not to be smart, but JMHO, if you have to ask for detail on how to replace a 1/4 panel from start to finish, you are probably not qualified to do it in the first place. Parts like that are far too expensive to screw it up doing the job. You may get it on straight, but make a debacle of the all the welds in the jam. Too many things to go wrong if you don't have training or experience.

There's nothing "elitist" I know of about this site. I've NEVER had the problem you describe on this site when I've asked a question, provided all the requisite information to allow a reasonable response AFTER I've used the search engine to find what answers were already given, and been courteous enough to wait for an answer. Given that 99% of the time the question has been asked already, and the answer given MULTIPLE TIMES in the past few YEARS, most of the time, people are very generous about answering it again. In fact, I've seen guys like Elree Colby, John Muha and MARTINSR (just to name a few of many) patiently answer the same basic questions over and over to different novices. They've demonstrated far more patience than I have in this area.

However, I will admit that I feel (speaking strictly for myself) that anyone who is serious in learning and participating in this forum, and sharing their "lessons learned" with other beginners, at least takes the time to join it so it can be supported and perpetuated. I will also admit this isn't a good attitude in all cases. Denny68 for example has invested countless hours helping people on this site with suspension and brake issues. He, rightly so, informed me that he belongs to many such forums and contributes wherever he can but couldn't begin to fund them all. OK, he's right. You can register, search, lurk, LEARN and then participate without spending the $20 to join the single most comprehensive source of knowledge and experience in this subject matter that I know of, or you can spend the $20 bucks to insure this forum continues to exist and benefit you throughout your entire project, and help other along the way. Your choice. If that's an elitist attitude on my part, than I'm guilty as hell. But remember, you can't spend $20 bucks and buy any book with all this knowledge and information in it on this subject.

So you have choices. You can be patient and reasonable with your requests and probably get an answer or you can "change the channel" and go elsewhere. There's over 20,000 of us "elitists" here that can probably live with your decision.

BTW - all your questions have been answered in great detail, several times in the past 12 months alone. Try searching with different keywords.

Okay okay!!

I already said sorry!! I guess with my experinces at other web boards I had warped expectations for here. Sorry!! (again)

Next time I'll do a full-on search and lurk for a while longer.

And I never did call ANYONE on THIS board an elitist. I said that I get that routine when I go to shops and swaps. I just thought I was getting the similar treatment here.

And for the record, I didn't ask for a point-by-point assembly description. I asked if anyone knew of some websites with some decent photos of the work they did. I know I could've done my own search. In fact I did. But I find myself spending hours searching around at different sites for the needed info, and coming up mostly empty handed. I was just hoping someone could spare me the needless time searching.

Okay....so sorry one last time. Aaron, Dan72, 1965_Malibu, drptop70ss, and GRN69CHV have all provided me with some info now, so I can take it from there. I'll pluck my way through it.

I want to do all this work myself. I know I'm no expert, but I don't have the money to pay some body shop to do this work. It's either I do it, or it sits until I win the lottery......and that just doesn't seem to be happening yet!!

Lyle (one last sorry.....sorry)

Ok. that's the spirit.

Now, all the info on how to do that job is on THIS site. Do a search on 2004 and you'll find mostof it. If not, hit the archives. If you still an't find it, say so and we'll help find it.

BTW - membership info is also on this site. You don't need to call anybody. graemlins/thumbsup.gif

Now, it's time for my medication.

These are not for a 66 but i guess its something to look at -
70 chevelle quarter (http://pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/ochrisl/album?.dir=f773&.src=ph&store=&prodid=&.done=http%3a//photos.yahoo.com/ph//my_photos)
68 camaro (http://hobbystage.net/camaro/shoddyfbody/)
I don't think anyone is trying to be rude to you but there are probably ten posts a week asking how to install a quarter/trunk/rocker panel and probably five 'whats a good welder?' posts per week. Myself, and others i'm sure grow tired of answering the same questions over and over.Its even harder when its not a specific question. Use the search function and you can read about whatever subject you choose for hours.Good Luck with your car. graemlins/beers.gif

I searched and lurked for two years while restoring my car doing everything I could on my own. The more I did, starting with little things and gaining confidence moving up to the bodywork and even the interior trying to make myself and the TC crew proud. Without TC, LKN BCK (my 65 Chevelle) would not be what it is today. TCs reward was a new member and showing everybody what they helped create... Thanks TCers

Everything was done before making a single post on this board... Then it was Show and Tell time... What a great feeling!!!

Oh, Don't leave us now, we will be glad to have you around. These guys enjoy helping others or they would not be here graemlins/thumbsup.gif
DANO

Thanks guys.

I'll certainly be pouring though this info over the next few days. Sure seems like a wealth of knowledge to be had around here.

Dano, you're an inspiration. I know I don't have the money to pay others to do any of my car for me. I know that what I lack in funds....I more than make up for in time. I don't mean that I have hours a day to spend on the car....more like many months, or years before the car has to be done. I have no deadlines. If I start on small things and perfect my skills there, I can work my way up to bigger stuff. I've always been a 'hands-on' type of person. Into many hobbies. So it'll take some time, but I know I can do it.

Guess I should have used some of that patients above!! Oh well, I deleted my little rant.

Time to wade though the info.

Here's a couple of photos of my '66 Beaumont...

http://www.cf-18.com/images/OfficeGarage%2007.JPG

http://www.cf-18.com/images/OfficeGarage%2010.JPG

It's a Sport Deluxe. One of about 3300 made in 1966.

Cheers,
Lyle

Wow, learn something new everyday!

Is that a 64-65 style Chevelle dash I see? I was looking through my 66 assembly manual the other day and noticed that right-hand drive cars has those dashes as well.

Nope.

The '66 Beaumont's interior is modeled after the Pontiac Tempest and LeMans. I don't know all the details, as I don't have much experince with the Tempest and LeMans.

The photo shows the dash bare...sans the dash pad. I have the interior pretty well gutted right now. Just the guage cluster and the headliner to come out.

Cheers,
Lyle

Car looks solid...a good score. Lets not forget this is a Canadian car (rustbelt!)

Hard to tell from a couple of pics but are you sure it needs full quarter replacement?

Sorry Dan72, the photos are a touch deceiving. Those are the new sheet metal slabs just temporarily screwed into place (complete with the nice dint-line in one of them - Grrr). I won't go into the whole sob story I had with a shop (serveral years ago) that was going to do the work. The short version is that they started the work, bought some of the pieces, I spent a week in their shop during a holiday once (to work on my car), saw some horrible body work practices on other cars, then put the 'stop-work-order' on my baby as quickly as I could.

I'll see if I have some other photos around here showing a bit more.

Oh yeah.....I think I got most of the rust out now. The whole front clip is from a donar car (in very good shape), I took the remainder down to bare metal (that's when I found all the rust and bondo in the rear quarters), and will be putting new quarters on as well as a new inner hub on the right rear. Probably a few other little piece here and there as well.

Cheers,
Lyle

Here's some more shots. I'm make them links because some folks may not care to have all these large photos grind their computer to a halt.

Beaumont 1 (http://www.cf-18.com/images/Beau%2001.JPG)

Beaumont 2 (http://www.cf-18.com/images/Beau%2002.JPG)

Beaumont 3 (http://www.cf-18.com/images/Beau%2003.JPG)

Beaumont 4 (http://www.cf-18.com/images/Beau%2004.JPG)

Beaumont 5 (http://www.cf-18.com/images/Beau%2005.JPG)

Beaumont 6 (http://www.cf-18.com/images/Beau%2006.JPG)

Beaumont 7 (http://www.cf-18.com/images/Beau%2007.JPG)

Lyle

lyle - help us neighbors down south learn about the "special deluxe" models - is your car a factory small blk ( what size ) or BIG BLK CAR and is it a factory motor , do you know what dealer sold it origionaly ? I had a uncle who owned the CROSSNEST PASS CHEV- PONTIAC DEALERSHIP and wondered if he could have sold your car back in 1966- and welcome , you know AL and DOT the t/chevelle guru 's that started this site are in creston ( kokanee country )don't ya - welcome lyle from spokane wash.MARKO

LYLE - ALSO INTERESTED if you know if a beaumont EL CAMINO was ever made ? i THINK THEY MADE beaumont 2DRS 4 DRS RAGTOPS and WAGONS , can't say I have heard of a canadian elcamino ( beaumont or regular) , ANY THOUGHS - MARKO

No such thing as a Beaumont El Camino equiv.

My brother has quite a pile of Beaumonts, and we toyed with the idea of dressing a Camino in Beaumont trim, maybe creating some custom tailights, etc to mimic 68 tailights.

Would have been something that would have a lot of Pontiac people scratching their heads.

The Beaumont is a tough cookie to describe. There's a few sites out there that try to explain the Beaumont. I'll add some links to the bottom of this post.

Speaking of my '66....

In 1966 GM of Canada produced about 13300 cars under the title of Pontiac Beaumont. They called it a Pontiac, and there are Pontiac 'Spears' in the ornimentation, but nowhere on the car is the 'word' Pontiac used. That's why some 'Poncho' guys get their knickers in a twist about the Beaumont. The frame, chassis, drive train, and some of the trim are all pure Chevelle. The interior is a mix of Pontiac LeMans, Tempest and GTO. These cars are a real melting pot. They are NOT a Canadian Chevelle. Actual Chevelles were produced in Canada (in far lower numbers than American Chevelles). The Beaumont is more like a 'Sister' car.

Anyway.....they made all models.... 2dr coupe, 2 dr post, 4 drs, 4 dr wagons, and of course convertibles. No 'El Camino' types were made. I know very little about this, but Beaumont 'El Caminos' were made in 68 or 69 (or both). They were not called El Camino's, but were called 'GMC Sprints'. I actually saw one in real life once (extremely rare).

The '66 Beaumont came with 3 different stylings. The base Beaumont was simply that...a Beaumont. Then the upgrade was a 'Custom'. Further from that you could have a 'Custom' with the 'A51' option...this made it a 'Sport Deluxe'. The SD was the top of the line style. It included special "Sport Deluxe' emblems, factory buckets and floor console, and special hub caps. Only the Coupe and Convertible 'Custom' could get the A51 option. The A51 option was not available for the 4 dr 'Custom'. By-the-way, the 'Sport Deluxe' emblems are ALL extremely rare. Only recently have some been reproduced, and even those command high dollars. I'm happy to say I have my whole set. Some go on eBay for astronomical prices!!

The 'Sport Deluxe' and convertible 'Sport Deluxe' were the rarest types. The jury is still out as to the real numbers, but I'm told that around 1500 2dr. ht. SD's were made and about 500 convert. SD's. Beaumont folks like to debate the numbers.....but not me....I don't really care. As far as I'm concerned, anything under 5000 produced (back in the sixties) is VERY rare!! I heard estimates that only a couple hundred SD's have survived to this day. But who knows!!

Here's some links to show different models....

'66 2 dr post
http://www.classiccanadianbeaumonts.com/vruss66front.JPG
'66 2 dr 'Custom'
http://www.classiccanadianbeaumonts.com/vwayne66side.JPG
'66 'Sport Deluxe' (What mine WILL look like - less the vinyl top)
http://www.classiccanadianbeaumonts.com/vrob66rear.JPG
'66 'Sport Deluxe' Convert
http://www.classiccanadianbeaumonts.com/vpeter66sd2.jpg

The above photos were linked from this website... Beaumont Site (http://www.classiccanadianbeaumonts.com/)

Oh yeah....my Beaumont was originally shipped to 'Patterson Motors' in Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan.

Cheers,
Lyle

There are pics in my sig that might help you
Can't wait to see your done I do like those cars.

Sweet mother of God....MARINA66SS, your SS is stunning!! You're doing what I wish I could do...a frame-off. I'll use those photos well. Thanks!!

Marko, I forgot to mention....my Beaumont came from the factory with a 283 & 2 spd powerglide. The block in my car is not original (somebody changed it out prior to me owning it). The '66 Beaumont came with 2 six cylinders, a 283, 327, or a 396.

Because mine is no longer original, I'll eventually put a 396 in it.

Cheers,
Lyle

LYLE REALLY APPRECIATE you sharing those details , I do get some of your BEAUMONTS THAT COME DOWN to MITCH SILVER AUCTIONS IN SPOKANE - a CALGARY collectible showroom sells alot of canadian cars down here due to the currencey thing , thanks and good luck on your learning your car inside out , marko ps I TOO HAVE A 1966 SS