I need to get some advice on what to do. Here is the situation: I am working on my 64 and the lower 1/4's and wheel openings are rusted out pretty bad. This includes the outer lip around the inner wheel tub too. On the driver side behind the rear 1/4 window there is also about a 4" x 4" hole rusted through. The rear valence and the area where the 1/4 follows up around the window needs to be replaced too. Other than the rust everything is pretty straight. I have a 65 1/4 (tan) for the driver side and a 64 ss 1/4 (blue) for the passenger side to use for replacement sheet metal. I also have a complete 65 4dr that I can cut up. The tan one is a little bit dented up at the rear and the window channel is pretty much gone and I would also have to change out the tail light bezel. The blue one is in pretty good shape except for some rust in the lower rear wheel opening.

My BIG question is would it be best to replace them entirely? Which would involve hammer and dollying out the dents, changing one tail light bezel, rust repair of the window channel and wheel opening and the labor of removing 4 1/4 panels(the ones on the car plus the NOS ones.) Or cut and patch in the necessary areas? Which would involve lots of cutting, welding, grinding and filling. Any advice on which way to go would be very helpful. Also any recommendations or techniques on how to get the job done. Thanks in advance!! ;)

Here are some pic's of what I'm dealing with.

http://www.chevelles.com/showroom/B64/bodyquestion0001.jpg
http://www.chevelles.com/showroom/B64/bodyquestion0002.jpg
http://www.chevelles.com/showroom/B64/bodyquestion0003.jpg
http://www.chevelles.com/showroom/B64/bodyquestion0004.jpg
http://www.chevelles.com/showroom/B64/bodyquestion0005.jpg
http://www.chevelles.com/showroom/B64/bodyquestion0006.jpg
http://www.chevelles.com/showroom/B64/bodyquestion0007.jpg
http://www.chevelles.com/showroom/B64/bodyquestion0008.jpg
http://www.chevelles.com/showroom/B64/bodyquestion0009.jpg
http://www.chevelles.com/showroom/B64/bodyquestion0010.jpg
http://www.chevelles.com/showroom/B64/bodyquestion0011.jpg
http://www.chevelles.com/showroom/B64/bodyquestion0012.jpg
http://www.chevelles.com/showroom/B64/bodyquestion0013.jpg
http://www.chevelles.com/showroom/B64/bodyquestion0014.jpg

I would not advise cutting and patching here and there. I would take the dented panel, work it out, and then replace the whole section. Every weld seam requires filler, Most people would say that the less filler the better, I would anyway.
Chances are the rear wheel outer lip area has rust on the outer wheel wheel that you will find when you cut off the quarter so don't be surpirsed if there is. Good luck! graemlins/beers.gif

I know a lot of you guys out there have gone through this process. :confused: Any insight would be helpful!!. Maybe someone has some personal experience with replacing a 1/4 panel and or cutting and patching some rust holes?

Living in the rusr belt of North East USA. Rust repair is an common exersize .
Looking at your picturs and you WHITE car...
IMO.... I would replace your Pass, side 1/4 and repair the drivers side... also after you get your 1/4's off 9 out or 10 tmes you'l need to repair or replace the outer wheel house. Goodmark makes a GREAT re-pop.. if you need them.
the window chanel rust. is common.. I assume because your pictures just shown the corner of the used 1/4's and by the look of the patch
on you white car glass area.. you'll fine lots of rust under the rear glass channel... not uncommon.
Work the car one panel at a time.. if you remove a 1/4 fix the wheel house and then fix the trunk filler panel ( also can get a re-pop to fix this )

I also asume you have a welder and the tools to do the job? as for the drivers 1/4 with the punched in tail lamp area. wait till it's installed and use a ports power to PUSH that area or mybe you have a friend with a WONDER post to PULL it ???

PS You'll not able to find 1/4's like that in PA....

WayneK,
Thanks for the advice it helps! If I just "repair" the driver side and find that the outer wheel house is rusted out. Then how would I go about fixing it without removing the whole 1/4 panel? I don't want spend much more $ on sheet metal as I have two rear halves of a car and one complete 65 4dr to scavenge off of. I will probably buy a repo rear valence panel though.

as for the drivers 1/4 with the punched in tail lamp area. wait till it's installed and use a ports power to PUSH that area or mybe you have a friend with a WONDER post to PULL it ???
I'm not quite sure what you are describing here? Are you talking about the used drivers 1/4. If so, if I I only "repair" that side then I probably wont use that area. The tail light area isn't really pushed in it is just a little bit dented on the side of the 1/4. The thing I was talking about was changing the tail light bezzel from a 65 to a 64.
I do have most of the tools required, welder etc. But I was wondering what is the best tool to remove the spot welds?
graemlins/beers.gif