Inner wheelhouse replacement

[65fastbackresto]

Is there a way to do this without removing quarterpanels? Or otherwise causing more damage then I`m going to fix in the process of replacing it.

 

[Fstbk]

The worst part is separating the halves. Some guys just slice it off at the flange where the two halves join, then sandwich the old flange in between the two halves.


I did my entire wheelhouse on the drivers sides and it really did a number on the wheel well lip on the QP.

 

[65fastbackresto]

Heres a pic

Where trunk floor meets wheelhouse, a previous owner had hidden this under some fiberglass.

 

[65fastbackresto]

Heres another one from in the wheelhouse.

I was gonna cut the rust out and fab a replaement panel until I found bondo in the fenderwell and saw how bad it really was, fyi, theres already a little bondo in the wheel flare openings, making me wonder if full quarter replacement may be best way to go.

 

[Fstbk]

Thats how my project started, this is what it looked like until I started to remove goo..not bad

, but the wheelhouse was bad on both ends, and the drivers side was just to far gone and the rust had eaten enough of the transition panel to talk me into replacing it.



Then I ended up with a six month project that involved everything from the rear trunk brace to the toe boards, I'm just lucky I had no frame rust I guess. EDIT: I just remembered that my rear frame rail to leaf spring area was shot and I had to replace that...

 

[65fastbackresto]

Looks good, you did a great job.

I hope I can pull this off, I can`t afford a body man to do it, although I think I`m going to have to at least pay one to keep me on the right track.

 

[Hack]

Just keep in mind that using an aftermarket panel doesn't mean you have to replace the entire panel. If the rust is limited to the bottom of the wheel house, you can section out the bad metal, cut the replacement panel to fit the gap and weld that in. If you do a good job of fitting, welding and grinding it down, you won't be able to see a seam afterwards.

Once you get into the quarter panel, the might-as-wells could cost you more and more. You could use a magnet to figure out how much bondo is there.

 

[65fastbackresto]

I`ll try the magnet thing and see what happens.

I`m gonna have to add "man what have I gotten myself into now" to my signature, LOL

 

[Fstbk]

I would also add that the repop wheelhouse parts are not exactly like the 65 cars, they dont make them without the spare tire dimple and the other stamped ribs are not the same either, so matching is a bear.

 

[65fastbackresto]

I just razorbladed the paint off the quarter panel

On the drivers side, took about an hour, I`ll post pics tommorow but looks like there was already a lower patch panel in it. There`s a bondo seam about half way up, just above the wheelflare...