Body Work Question

Ryans67 · Sep 27, 2009

I'm not much for doing body work, but wanted a couple opinions after seeing it done on other cars. I want to add the trunk lid spoiler and extensions, but I wanted to smooth out the line between the quarter and the extension. How should I do it? Weld it?? I also wanted to get rid of the line between the headlamp bucket and the fender. Is there any reason I shouldn't? Thanks for any advice.

-Ryan

2+2GT · Sep 27, 2009

Yeah, the cast zinc housing flexes and expands differently than the steel sheet fender, so if you fill the gap, it'll crack eventually. I don't see how you could weld steel to zinc. Epoxy, maybe. The spoiler style uses a fiberglass end cap, giving you even less to work with. The Shelby end caps and trunk lid are the easy way to do this, beware though that the repro pieces need a lot of fitting. Some of them are so bad as to be unusable.

This 67 has the visible joint, and I doubt anyone thinks it sucks.

rusty428cj · Sep 27, 2009

Ryans67 said:
I'm not much for doing body work, but wanted a couple opinions after seeing it done on other cars. I want to add the trunk lid spoiler and extensions, but I wanted to smooth out the line between the quarter and the extension. How should I do it? Weld it?? I also wanted to get rid of the line between the headlamp bucket and the fender. Is there any reason I shouldn't? Thanks for any advice.

-Ryan

I did this on my coupe as you can see in my thread. If you bond the headlight buckets on make sure you have the headlight adjuster screws in since they mount from the back. Mustangs to Fear have the rear spoiler and end caps and fit the best of any fiberglass I have used.

kilgorq · Sep 27, 2009

I have seen this done on a few cars. The ones that the extensions glued (Bonded) on and the duraglassed appear to hold up the best. But every one I have seen that is a drive those areas crack fairly soon after the work in done. The longest time I have seen one last without cracking was about 3 years. It was bonded and bolted first. They put a v notch in the seam then they used duraglass on it.

I know a guy that tried solder and it was the worst. As for welding I have never seen anyone try it. I think that is because the metals are incompatible for welding.

It looked nice for a while.

zookeeper · Sep 28, 2009

I'm not a big fan of bonding the end caps in place, either. For starters, on the trunk spoiler/end caps, they are fiberglass, and don't bond well to steel bodies. But everyone's pretty much told you that, so rather than beat a dead horse, here's another pic of how small the seam really is

It's not anything that has ever been noticed by anyone, and although I drive the car regularly on weekends, etc it has not and will not crack. I can't say the same if it were bonded to the body.

Ryans67 · Sep 28, 2009

I know it's tough to do, I tried it back in high school on a 67 and they most definately cracked. I like the seamless look, but I'll probably just leave em alone. It's going to be enough work just getting the end caps to fit and look good.

Next question, Who makes a good rotisserie? I know I could build one off of the readily available internet plans, but I just don't have that much time. I get roughly 8 hours a week to work on the car, so I'd rather just buy one to save the time. I found a couple on craigslist, one is at a fair price. What brand should I look for? Thanks!

kilgorq · Sep 28, 2009

Eastwood carries them. The look acceptable. But not near as strong or versatile as the internet plans out there. If I had the money I would take those plans to a machine shop and have one built. What plans are you looking at?

I Personally like these plans.

http://www.autobody101.com/rotisserie_plans.pdf
http://www.autobody101.com/rotisserie_blueprint.pdf

Ryans67 · Sep 28, 2009

I looked at that exact one. I didn't really think about having a machine shop make it. I have an account a big steel distributor, so I know I can get the steel at decent prices. They even said they will cut it to size. I'll have to stop by a machine shop or two and chat; see what they would charge. Any ideas what they should charge?

kilgorq · Sep 28, 2009

Couple hundred here but our cost of living is way different than yours. Maybe someone from your area can give you a better idea.

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