Project Evolution *** Project Complete **** Wednesday July 9, 2014

Topic: Project Evolution *** Project Complete **** Wednesday July 9, 2014 (Read 1160553 times) previous topic - next topic

Project Evolution * Project Complete ** Wednesday July 9, 2014

Reply #495 – November 02, 2008, 12:53:30 PM

I wish you could help me out...
I need a rear quarter for my new mark, and im dreading it, but I think its gonna end up fiberglass again just because I dont have the tools or adequate welder.
looking great!!

Project Evolution * Project Complete ** Wednesday July 9, 2014

Reply #496 – November 02, 2008, 03:59:05 PM

Quote from: daminc;241086

Hey Vinnie, Did your doors and fenders fit and line up like the old ones did?

I dunno about Vinnie, but I replaced almost everything forward of the windshield on my car, and it took quite a bit of work to get the 87 TC fender and 88 T-Bird door to line up. The fender off the 87 TC parts car actually had a different curve to it (it bowed out more). After bolting it on and removing it a few times (no amount of adjusting or shims made a difference - I'd hold it in place, tighten the bolts, and as soon as I let go it'd spring back to the wrong shape) I ended up permanently un-bowing it the simplest way I could think of. I sat on it. I took it off the car, sat it on the shop floor, and sat on it, right at the top of the wheel opening. I obviously didn't put my whole weight on it (it would have flattened), but it worked.

The header panel-to-fender fitment was similar (remarkable, since the fender and header panel came from the same car), but there were enough bolt holes that I managed to "force" the fender to take the correct shape.

After all that, the hood actually went on easily. I only had to adjust fore/aft a bit, and I had to adjust the height at the rear using the stops on the hinges.

Project Evolution * Project Complete ** Wednesday July 9, 2014

Reply #497 – November 02, 2008, 04:24:57 PM

Quote from: daboss351;241285

I wish you could help me out...
I need a rear quarter for my new mark, and im dreading it, but I think its gonna end up fiberglass again just because I dont have the tools or adequate welder.
looking great!!

I wish I could help you out.
Take some good close ups and we'll see the best way to fix what you got.
I thought you had a welder now?

Project Evolution * Project Complete ** Wednesday July 9, 2014

Reply #498 – November 02, 2008, 04:36:03 PM

Quote from: Thunder Chicken;241314

I dunno about Vinnie, but I replaced almost everything forward of the windshield on my car, and it took quite a bit of work to get the 87 TC fender and 88 T-Bird door to line up. The fender off the 87 TC parts car actually had a different curve to it (it bowed out more). After bolting it on and removing it a few times (no amount of adjusting or shims made a difference - I'd hold it in place, tighten the bolts, and as soon as I let go it'd spring back to the wrong shape) I ended up permanently un-bowing it the simplest way I could think of. I sat on it. I took it off the car, sat it on the shop floor, and sat on it, right at the top of the wheel opening. I obviously didn't put my whole weight on it (it would have flattened), but it worked.

The header panel-to-fender fitment was similar (remarkable, since the fender and header panel came from the same car), but there were enough bolt holes that I managed to "force" the fender to take the correct shape.

After all that, the hood actually went on easily. I only had to adjust fore/aft a bit, and I had to adjust the height at the rear using the stops on the hinges.

I'm glad to see that I'm not the only one with panel issues. (Not that I'm glad you had a problem... You know what I mean.)
I always hear about everyone else putting different parts on there cars, but no one has ever said if the parts lined up correctly, of if they had any problems with them.

Does anyone know where the panels where actually stamped, or how many different places made them? Now I'm just curious as to why the panels have different shapes, because now I'm pretty sure that was my problem.

Project Evolution * Project Complete ** Wednesday July 9, 2014

Reply #499 – November 02, 2008, 04:52:08 PM

Project update:
I didn't finish the welding on the quarter panel.
The weather was nice so I decided to epoxy paint the floor in the middle bay. I'm not going through the wet concrete floor problem anymore. Tomorrow I'll put a second coat on it. (pics of it tomorrow)
Meanwhile, The rest of the week I'm going to get the car ready to pull the motor on this coming Saturday. It's the only weekend I'll have enough time to do it for a couple of months, and it needs to be done to keep the project going.
The car will be moved into the middle bay that I just epoxied when the motor comes out.
So not a lot to show right now. but there should be some spectacular pics next week. Probably of more rust. LOL
I'm sure everyone is sick to death by now of the quarter panel/ rocker episode. I know I am. LOL

I'll keep everyone updated as the week goes on.

Project Evolution * Project Complete ** Wednesday July 9, 2014

Reply #500 – November 02, 2008, 06:07:37 PM

Hey Vinnie, Did your doors and fenders fit and line up like the old ones did?[/QUOTE]

I have doors and front fenders from an '88 LX,header panel from an '87 TC,front bumper cover from an '88 TC,rear bumper cover from an '87 TC.Everything lined up great.No issues.The body lines are nice and matching up fine,the fenders were super easy to line up,although I did have to use a couple of extra spacers that the Sport didn't use with it's own fenders.No big deal.I hate filling and sanding it all though.That sucks.

Project Evolution * Project Complete ** Wednesday July 9, 2014

Reply #501 – November 02, 2008, 08:50:24 PM

Quote from: daminc;241317

I wish I could help you out.
Take some good close ups and we'll see the best way to fix what you got.
I thought you had a welder now?

I do but it blows through sheet metal like no tomorrow

Project Evolution * Project Complete ** Wednesday July 9, 2014

Reply #502 – November 03, 2008, 07:15:48 PM

Quote from: daboss351;241360

I do but it blows through sheet metal like no tomorrow

Even on the lowest setting?
Try plugging it into a long ext. cord to cut down the power.

I finished up the welding on the quarter panel today.

Here's the outside of the wheel well

And the inside

Here's looking down into the 1/4 panel where it meets the rocker.
Talk about welding blind. I had to feel for the holes with the wire to start the weld. I guess I need to clean that out a little better. LOL

And as I promised, the garage floor epoxy.
1 section down, 2 to go. Thinking about painting a big cougar (like my emblems) in the center, in light gray.

All that's left on this side is, welding on a new rocker bottom.
That'll probably have to be done after the motor comes out this weekend.
Until next time

Project Evolution * Project Complete ** Wednesday July 9, 2014

Reply #503 – November 03, 2008, 07:20:14 PM

Jerry, You have enough space there to paint the Word "Cougar" also. :poke:

Project Evolution * Project Complete ** Wednesday July 9, 2014

Reply #504 – November 03, 2008, 07:46:41 PM

Quote from: daminc;241504

Thinking about painting a big cougar (like my emblems) in the center, in light gray.

First of all...looks great!!! Gotta love spills comin right up :D

Second of all......

DOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Project Evolution * Project Complete ** Wednesday July 9, 2014

Reply #505 – November 03, 2008, 11:38:50 PM

Quote from: daboss351;241360

I do but it blows through sheet metal like no tomorrow

then your welder does not have a "low" / "high" setting or current selector.

the onlything i coud add is to lower your wire speed and suck up the splatter as it happens, you just have to clean up / chip / wire brush more often.

Project Evolution * Project Complete ** Wednesday July 9, 2014

Reply #506 – November 03, 2008, 11:45:39 PM

So what are your thoughts about this tack welder for duplicating the types of welds that you drilled out formed in from the factory?

Im considering picking this up just for sheet metal.

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/Displayitem.taf?itemnumber=45690

this would have been very useful for a large bulk of your welds i would think and would'nt it reduce clean up on the burnt metal as well?

Project Evolution * Project Complete ** Wednesday July 9, 2014

Reply #507 – November 04, 2008, 12:06:37 AM

They're great for smaller projects and a lot of flat work.
I used to use one in high school metal shop (a long, long time ago) making tool boxes.
I could have used one for parts of my car too. It would have worked great on the bottom 1/4 panel lip of my trunk well, and also the inside wheel well s that I just welded. Mabe the next car.
I believe a company also makes an arc welded attachment.
here's one from Eastwood. (not sure how well these work though)
http://www.eastwoodco.com/jump.jsp?itemID=1227&itemType=PRODUCT

Project Evolution * Project Complete ** Wednesday July 9, 2014

Reply #508 – November 04, 2008, 08:34:53 PM

I've been looking at that welder as well. But I'm still holding out for a 2 probe resistance welder. 2 welds at a time and anywhere you can fit your hands....yea.

Project Evolution * Project Complete ** Wednesday July 9, 2014

Reply #509 – November 04, 2008, 09:07:59 PM

Quote from: daminc;241568

They're great for smaller projects and a lot of flat work.
I used to use one in high school metal shop (a long, long time ago) making tool boxes.
I could have used one for parts of my car too. It would have worked great on the bottom 1/4 panel lip of my trunk well, and also the inside wheel well s that I just welded. Mabe the next car.
I believe a company also makes an arc welded attachment.
here's one from Eastwood. (not sure how well these work though)
http://www.eastwoodco.com/jump.jsp?itemID=1227&itemType=PRODUCT

whooo,, now i like that and 60A is well within range of back to back sheet metal. The welder i posted is purdy darn big. The pic is misleading cause it looks like a bear to handle. It does do the job though.