my 74 formula (rated R)

[Blazerteam]

Re: my 74 formula (rated R)

I have fixed my share of rusty F bodys.This project seems just likes those i have done.10-15 years ago,we modified 75-76 Firebirds to 77-78 models.It was easy.just the front clip.but nowadays,i actually think we didnt do it right.74-76 models,look just right to me these days.

Racy front,and those 77-78 models are everywhere.

[milkovich]

Re: my 74 formula (rated R)

reproductions are good...but rust free front end collision parts cars for $100 are better ;D

[Junk Whisperer]

Re: my 74 formula (rated R)

Thank G*d for reproductions,eh Milkovich ;)? Still,did ya get a new rear Light Panel(I'm sure you did...)? ~J/W-OO6.

[milkovich]

Re: my 74 formula (rated R)

I have a blair 3/8ths spotweld cutter I started with but the spotwelds were too big from GM so I used a lennox 5/8's or 3/4 hole saw I modified by taking the guide drill out and shortening it so it stuck out beyond the saw teeth about an 1/8th inch. The lump it left behind I'd be able to knock down with 40 grit disks if I was going to keep the trunk pan. I only drilled them out because THERE ARE SUPPOSED TO BE FRAME RAILS BEHIND THE TAIL PANEL. >

[milner351]

Re: my 74 formula (rated R)

after this experience - what spot weld cutter would you recomend?

[milkovich]

Re: my 74 formula (rated R)

The car is ROUGH.

The rear quarters are pop-riveted on, then bondo'd flush. They didn't even flange the quarters in.

The rockers are toast. They were Ziebarted which is a deathsentence for cars.

The floors are good except for the driver's footwell.

The rad support was a 72 as was the whole front end which I pitched. It's taken me 6 months of scrounging to find all the 74-75 front end parts (a nightmare).

I'm going to keep cutting till I find good metal to weld to. The frame rails behind the shackles are junk but infront they're good.

Suprisingly the metal above the gastank is all good and the firewall is good.

The car is a parts car by california standards and if this arizona shell I'm looking at comes through, I'll junk this one, but since I've got extra firebird parts and most of the sheetmetal already, I'll keep going on this one till the shell maybe shows up.

[Junk Whisperer]

Re: my 74 formula (rated R)

Odd. The Trunk Floor itself *LOOKS* solid,as does some of the surrounding Shetmetal(bottom of Quarters,bare Metal'd Quarters((on top,where the Spoiler was mounted....))). How's the rest of the Car? Front Floors? Subframe-Bolt-Mounts? Rad Support? Still,looks like a neat li'l project. I really don't know what it is,but I WANT to tackle a rust bucket project one day :P :. And It'll be a Ford or GM(Chev. Nova?)"something." It's something I just 'feel' I "need" to do : :D. After all,we live in 'an age of excellent quality repops. And they keep making MORE repop stuff every year. ~J/W-OO6.

[milkovich]

Re: my 74 formula (rated R)



I hate spot welds.

[Scott Liggett]

Re: my 74 formula (rated R)

Every time I think my Impala is a total rustbucket; I have to thank you Nor-easters for setting me straight. Ugh. I don't envy you.

[milkovich]

Re: my 74 formula (rated R)

I got the tail pan off. There were only about 20 spotwelds holding it to the trunk floor.

The big problem is large chunks of crispy flaky framerails came with... I hadn't counted on that.

Might be time to start shopping for a newtexazonafornia shell. I'm going to keep going till I hit bedrock (good metal to start welding to.

ugh... :-\

[TC]

Re: my 74 formula (rated R)

All I can say man is, DON'T sneeze.

[Junk Whisperer]

Re: my 74 formula (rated R)

:o Dan's right :o! Quick,get a Dustpan & a Broom ;D! ~J/W-OO6.

[DanStokes]

Re: my 74 formula (rated R)

Remember that pulverized iron oxide is the primary ingredient in crocus cloth, a fine abrasive. You may be sittin' on a fortune there!

Dan

[CM325]

Re: my 74 formula (rated R)

That is rough man, But least you've got the drive to do it.
Most would abandon that and use IT for parts.

Post up some more pics of the rest of the car.
Might help with the perception of that one.
The good thing is it's metal it can almost always be fixed.
Sometimes not even well ( read BK General Lee ).

Good luck man,
Chris

[Ron Ward]

Re: my 74 formula (rated R)

Man, I feel your pain. That rust reminds me of my Plymouth. Good luck, sir!



Ron