Hello team. When I removed my inner and outer fenders last fall, the inners were in such bad shape that they came out in pieces. I have new metal inners to replace them. My question is this. Should the inner or outer fenders be installed first? Which way is easier, and for what reason? Thanks in advance.

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70 Malibu Convertible
350ci/330hp/410 ft-lbs. th350/3.08 posi

I am thinking logically here..
The inner should go first. Because it's a real mess to put it in whlie the fender is on the car..

I would put the inner first, and the outer later.

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Shai

1972 Chevelle Malibu custom 4dr (http://72-chevelle.cjb.net)
Restoration started: February 10th 2001
TC member #1278

On my 72, I put the outer ones on first. There is some alignment that will need to be done and it is easier to move the outer fender around by itself without the inner fender getting in the way.

Install the inner first! Hopefully you took some measuresents of where the inner was loacted in relation to the rest of the car. If not hopefully you havent removed the other side. You need to measure how high it sits from the trunk floor, that is the main one. Also the distance the trunk exts are located on the inner, if these are off your inner will be on bind and not fit right in other spots causing wide gaps. So locate the new inner to these meausrements, keep in mind some adjustment will be needed.

What ever you do dont weld them in, use vise grips and sheet metal screws to hold the inner in place. Now install the new outer and hold that in place with vise grips or screws. Install your new quarter panel, some adjustment might be needed on the outer to get the quarter to fit right. Once the quarter fits good, make some alginment marks with a felt tip pen or tape so you know where the quarter is supposed to fit when you get ready to weld it in place.

Once the quarter is place, you can start to weld the inner and outer wheel wells. Weld as much as you can with the quarter in place as it will help hold everything in place and not allow it to move around. With as much welded up as you can remove the quarter and finish welding the rest. Then install the quarter and weld it in place.

Guess I should have specified that they are the front fenders. Will it be easier to adjust the hood and door gaps on the outer fender with the inner fender out?

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70 Malibu Convertible
350ci/330hp/410 ft-lbs. th350/3.08 posi

We just got through lining up the front end on my El Camino with the inners out and I think that's the way to do it. Some cars, like Camaros are difficult, if not impossible to replace the inners with the outers already on, but on the Chevelles it's a snap and doesn't even require tire removal. I'm assumimg the bumper brackets don't pose an obstacle, but they're not on my car yet.