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68shovel

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Discussion starter · #1 ·
In desperate need of some expert advice. Been saving up for a while to buy tools and metal to start replacing panels on my 68. Figured I would start out small with the cowl panels on the drivers side of the firewall. Eventually move on to the entire trunk area and tail light panel. Anyone in the Columbia SC area that would be willing to throw some eyes on and give me a nudge in the right direction everyonce in a while? Doing this stuff my self so cant afford to cut something up that I need or do something twice do to ignorance. Thanks in advance.
 
#3 ·
Maybe for a start, if you learn how these bodys are put together, heres a rough idea on how a floor pan and rocker go together on a 69, so your 68 should be pretty much the same.

http://www.1969supersport.com/floorpn8.html

Rob
 
#5 ·
Well, what tools do you have right now?

You dont need a huge list of tools to do metal replacement.

The cowl shoulder will be an easy panel to replace, its nothing but spot welds.

I would use a cutoff wheel with a 3/16 thick grinding disc and grind away the spot weld holding the cowl panel in place. Trying to drill them out with drill bits takes way too long and also damages the under laying panels.

Spot welds look like small 1/4 dimples in the metal along the edges.

This thread has some pictures showing how the different pieces of cowl fit together

http://www.chevelles.com/forums/showthread.php?t=278360&highlight=cowl+replace
 
Discussion starter · #6 ·
I have started working on the trunk pan by cutting out all the rot. I am gonna need an entire new trunk. I removed the back seats to get to the front of the trunk pan. From what I can tell the piece that seperates the trunk and the back of the car that the seat attaches to is sandwiched on top of the trunk pan and the floor pan. So I am guessing that has to come out? I will try and post some pictures this afternoon.
 
#7 ·
Yes, you are right. the seat divider rests on top then the trunk floor and lower piece is the main floor.
IMO it would be much easier to fully remove the seat divider and get it out of your way.
You could drill a few 1/8 holes as marker holes so you get the panel back in the right spot, but get it out of your way.

I would get the 1 piece FULL trunk floor and be done with it.
 
#10 ·
#11 ·
It is best to have your replacement panel in hand before cutting your car to fit it. Having the panel will also help you in figuring out where all the flanges are that need to be removed or cut. 68shovel ....... that is almost my handle I've used here for over 10 years!
 
Discussion starter · #12 ·
well my trunk rot is completely gone. Thank god for air chisels. Thats the good news. Bad news is now I have a really good look at the repair job that someone did before me. Looks like a previous owner put new quarters on, and decided to take the easy way out and instead of taking off the old ones they just out the middle and tacked on the new ones right on top. So the trunk extentions and tail light panel are still attached to the old ones. So I guess I need to figure out how much more work I want to do for my self. Cut out the new ones and do it the right way or keep going and leave the old ones in. The perfectionist in me says cut them out. I know how I am and it would bother me. I hate doing things half way. So it looks like I opened a new can of worms. But I think in the end I will feel better about it. 67shovel, gotta find a 69shovel now. haha
 
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68shovel
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