This will be my first major project. I need a little help with my order of repairs. I had a chance to really give the 1968 Chevelle Convertible 396SS a real look over the last three day. The question is where do I start?
Please list the order of repair that you would do first.


1. Replace both Quarter Panels
2. Patch lower parts of inner wheel wells only
3. Repair or replace Tail Panel
4. Replace Trunk Pan
5. Replace or Repair Floor Pans
6. Replace Fire wall panel
7. Repair of Replace Cowl
8. Patch areas around Windshield
9. Repair or replace metal dash panel (area next to windshild rusted)
10. Replace Fenders
11. Replace Doors skin
12. Remove body from frame
13. Repair Frame around steering linkage connection and body mount areas.
14. Put Body back on fame and get ready for paint.

If you want just put the number is order Example: ( 1, 2, 3, 5,. . . . 14)


Thanks

JFC

Start from the inside out. Make sure the frame is straight and square. Replace the body mounts and repair the areas associated with the mounting points. Floors and trunk next. That should keep you busy for a while.:)

Honestly, unless you're a professional body/sheet metal repair expert, IMO there's no way you should get into removing quarter panels, the tail light panel or removing floor sections that will cause the the remaining shell to lose its integrity. You will never get it straight again. There definitely is required "know how" when you get into major body work.

My .02 is to take to a pro for the major work. Learn the ropes on the minor repairs, first.

Get ready to spend lots of money...:yes:

John,try to do as much as possible with the car on the frame.Are you going to use the one piece floorpan assemblies for the main floor and trunk?If you are you will definitely have to lift the body off the frame.In my case I replaced the firewall and now the car isliterally in three pieces on the garage floor in preparation for the one piece floorpan(s).I think you can do the one piece trunk floor with the body slightly lifted off the frame,but it will be tricky.
http://www.webshots.com/search?query=gravyd&new=1&source=chromeheader Check out this link.It might give you an idea of what you need to do.

I agree with Matt! Body mounts first, then floors, then trunk. There is tons of information out there on how to replace sheet metal. Read, read, and the read some more.
Popular Hot Rodding April of 08 issue has some great articles. Muscle Car on Spike did a LeMans and had a lot of how to film also.
You can always do what you feel confident with and then pay for the more involved stuff.
Go slow, and take it as several small projects or it's easy to get overwhelmed. My buddy is doing a 70 1/2 RS Camaro that way. Next for him is the tail light panel, then rear quarters and outer wheelhouses.
Good Luck!

A good number of the parts on your list are unavailable, which means you'll either need to find used ones in better condition or make them yourself. It also sounds like your frame is in need of serious repair. Unless you can do all of the work yourself, this car will be a serious money pit and you may be better off looking for one in a little better condition. At the very least you'll need to find a donor car for some of the more difficult parts to fabricate or find.

If your heart is set on this one, any car can be restored. Just be prepared for a major investment of time, money and effort.

Tom

I think it would be a good idea if you post pictures before you start anything.You are working on to many major areas on this car that you will need to be guided through step by step

I agree that you need to post some pictures. I would also say to do the body mounts and the floors first. When it comes to the back end of the car I replaced boths quarters, outer wheelhouses, and one inner wit my body off the frame. The way this can be done is do one side at a time. Cut one quarter off then get the wheels houses out of the way, very important to take your time with this and make sure that you dont mangle any structural parts, then see about getting that floor out of there. The reason I am saying doing this one side at a time is because you can retain some or the original regidity if you do it this way. Also you might want to skin the doors before you do anything with the quarters, line the freshly skinned doors to the original quarters, then remove the old quarters and done the trunk floor and put the new panels in the one side at a time method.

You are right, I will post photos tonight.

I agree with VERN (Aug. 12 post) HOT ROD MAG'S DVD SET- DREAM BUILD DRIVE. I have the set and it's great. They are doing a 70 vertible. Just got my sheetmetal at Carlisle from AUSLEY'S !!!

Sounds like you are jumping into too big job for first time. I guess I might be negative about this, but when I see a post saying I am going to pull my engine, what should I do, I think the same thing, maybe you shouldn't be doing it. I think most of us started out doing small stuff and worked our way up to major tear downs and rebuilds. Just my thought, but I hate to see a car tore apart and the work and time factor stop an enthusiast from finishing the job. It can be a long, hard, expensive road, even when you are experienced and know what you are doing.

http://www.chevelles.com/forums/picture.php?albumid=75&pictureid=494
Here a picture of the frame damage

http://www.chevelles.com/forums/picture.php?albumid=75&pictureid=505
Here is a picture of under the dash area. I don't think they make this piece. There are about three spots across/under the dash area similar to this one.

http://www.chevelles.com/forums/picture.php?albumid=75&pictureid=499

The metal in floor pans is good except for the corners of each pan. The are in the back under the seats. This is where the water sat. I am thinking about patching some of the areas.. What do think?

http://www.chevelles.com/forums/picture.php?albumid=75&pictureid=506

Here is the trunk area it will need total trunk pan!

http://www.chevelles.com/forums/picture.php?albumid=75&pictureid=507
Can I patch these lower inner wheel house areas or should I replace them!

http://www.chevelles.com/forums/picture.php?albumid=75&pictureid=507\
Inner wheel house area!

http://www.chevelles.com/forums/picture.php?albumid=75&pictureid=507
Can I patch these lower inner quarters or should I replace them!

Do you mean inner wheelhouses? They are ony available for hardtops for 68's which is what I used to make my patch panels

From the looks of that rust on your frame you need to have your frame acid dipped and galvanized (Zinc plated).:yes: Do a search on this site and use the key word galvanized.

Matt B

You may be right, but you never know until you try. It's not like I have never turned a bolt. Please don't take asking to tap into your knowledge and my learn from other experience as begining totally not have an apptiude for mechincs. I have taken both a beginner and advance body classes. I can paint and weld, but I am no expert by any means. I have never attempt a restoration on a Chevy. I have alway bought my cars complete. I have dealt mostly with Fords: I have owner 1 - 1965 Mustang Coupe, 1964 1/2 Convertible (never should have sold), 1970 Boss Mustang (Never should have sold), 1969 Mustang Convertible. It ture the will be my first restoration, which I have done most of the work. Before, I only would do small project like repair a small portion of a floor pan or paint a fender. Additionally, I was a mechanic in the U.S Military. If it get to be too much, I am able just pay someone to finish. I kind of use this hobby to help my high blood press and stress. The wife want me to buy one already complete, but I wanted to get my hand dirty and know what I am getting.

I am impressed that you plan to tackle this project! Please post project pictures along the way!


From the looks of that rust on your frame you need to have your frame acid dipped and galvanized (Zinc plated).:yes: Do a search on this site and use the key word galvanized.


Look up member BLT4FN (Shaun) as he went through this recently - I was impressed how inexpensive it was. I like that this process gets inside the frame everywhere unlike some other processes. JMO

I am impressed that you plan to tackle this project! Please post project pictures along the way!

This is the way I feel now, I will let you know in few months. I have a good body man who says he will do the work for $10K and I buy the parts.



Look up member BLT4FN (Shaun) as he went through this recently - I was impressed how inexpensive it was. I like that this process gets inside the frame everywhere unlike some other processes. JMO

Thanks 1badss396 for the tip on having the frame galvanized.

I had mine done and here is what it will look like when you get it back from the galvanizer:yes: Cost me $155
Here is a post to read http://www.chevelles.com/forums/showthread.php?t=169251&highlight=Galvanize

http://s193.photobucket.com/albums/z238/1badss396/Galivanized%20Frame/th_fc2e.jpg (http://s193.photobucket.com/albums/z238/1badss396/Galivanized%20Frame/?action=view&current=fc2e.jpg)
http://s193.photobucket.com/albums/z238/1badss396/Galivanized%20Frame/th_7c86.jpg (http://s193.photobucket.com/albums/z238/1badss396/Galivanized%20Frame/?action=view&current=7c86.jpg)
http://s193.photobucket.com/albums/z238/1badss396/Galivanized%20Frame/th_af78.jpg (http://s193.photobucket.com/albums/z238/1badss396/Galivanized%20Frame/?action=view&current=af78.jpg)
http://s193.photobucket.com/albums/z238/1badss396/Galivanized%20Frame/th_P1010161.jpg (http://s193.photobucket.com/albums/z238/1badss396/Galivanized%20Frame/?action=view&current=P1010161.jpg) (http://s193.photobucket.com/albums/z238/1badss396/Galivanized%20Frame/?action=view&current=P1010161.jpg)


(http://s193.photobucket.com/albums/z238/1badss396/Galivanized%20Frame/?action=view&current=af78.jpg)


(http://s193.photobucket.com/albums/z238/1badss396/Galivanized%20Frame/?action=view&current=7c86.jpg)


(http://s193.photobucket.com/albums/z238/1badss396/Galivanized%20Frame/?action=view&current=fc2e.jpg)

the frame is nasty scary.That has to be done by a pro.Easier with car off and frame sandblasted.Then you can see any damage.The dash can be repaired.How does the actual windshield channel look? There is a floor pan available to repair under the rear seat,but be sure that the cross brace underneath isnt rotted.Lots of spot welds to remove!Tackle one project at a time.

Do you mean inner wheelhouses? They are ony available for hardtops for 68's which is what I used to make my patch panels

I think he means the trunk drop off panel.But if he does mean inner wheelhouses Ground up has the wheelhouse patch panels which should cover whats damaged.

I am doing the same project right now and to tell you the truth I am sorry I started, I mean in the end it will be worth it but man has it been a money pit. I am doing a 66 L78 resto and have about 30k invested and have not painted yet. You might want to take the wifes advice and buy one done, I wish I did. I will give you 1 piece of advice which I also did and that is buy the 1 piece whole floor pan with the braces already welded in, makes for a real clean job and I guarantee from the looks of the rot you probably need it Good luck Chuck

After looking at your pictures here are some more thoughts.Start with the trunk.With the car still reasonably intact you can remove the whole trunk floor and detach the bulkhead (where the top motor is)from the wheelhousings.With the trunk floor removed,replace the rear seat pan.You may have to do the trunk drop offs later,when you are doing the quarters.Once you are done with the inner wheelhouses and trunk,then you can think about quarters. or maybe any work that needs to be done towards the front of the car.

is there anything good on the car? Looks like everything is toast i hope this is a rare car or something because that is a bad car to start with. Sorry

I have to agree, this is something you do not want to hear, but once that body goes to the blaster it is going to take away so much thin metal that you thought was good, it will pretty much ruin your day. If you are going to do a complete frame off 30k to 40 k is not unheard of, probably average, maybe more. I am so deep into it I can not turn back but believe me I wish I would of just bought a 35k car and been driving it right now Chuck

Yes, you can patch the inner wheelhouse when you do the trunk floor.
http://i497.photobucket.com/albums/rr331/RHollywood/70%20Chevelle%20Resto/P1010086.jpg
http://i497.photobucket.com/albums/rr331/RHollywood/70%20Chevelle%20Resto/P1010087.jpg