Quoting: Rob
Got most of my panels from here.....:
Any tips on getting them over here as cheap as possible? I'm shopping around for quotes at the moment and the shipping costs are astronomical.
Quoting: Jamieg285
Now the bad news - to do the rocker panel I need to remove the front fender. That means removing the hood too. I've only got one pair of hands, and no-where to store them. Looks like it's going to be fun. Not.
I enjoyed taking your bonnet off last time, so I don't see that I can't muck in again (http://www.mkb.cc/forum/smileys/wink.gif)
Quoting: Jamieg285
Any tips on getting them over here as cheap as possible? I'm shopping around for quotes at the moment and the shipping costs are astronomical.
For bigger items like my cowl panel I used this guy....
Ron Fenton
STS Imports
Unit 5, Chase Side Nurseries
School Lane, Great Leighs
Chelmsford, Essex, CM3 1NL
Tel: 01245 363800
Mob: 07850 268914
Fax: 01245 550479
email: ron@stsimports.co.uk
They bring a container in every four to six weeks so you have to plan quite a way in advance.
Saved a bit, but not huge amounts.
Quoting: Andy
Where abouts are you Jamie?
About two miles from me (http://www.mkb.cc/forum/smileys/tongue.gif)
Quoting: Andy
Where abouts are you Jamie?
I'm currently lowering the tone of the neighbourhood in Luton (http://www.mkb.cc/forum/smileys/confused.gif)
Quoting: Rob
For bigger items like my cowl panel I used this guy....
Thanks, I've send an email. Hopefully they can do a lot better than the £500 to import a floor pan.
Quoting: Jamieg285
Thanks, I've send an email. Hopefully they can do a lot better than the £500 to import a floor pan.
His next shipping date is 20th March according to his post on POC forum,
He recommended NPD as they have a store close to where he ships from in Florida.
http://www.npdlink.com/store/catalog/1967_1981_Camaro-7-1.html
Quoting: Rob
Saved a bit, but not huge amounts.
You're obviously not buying the right things!
Although I've yet to commit to a full floor pan (one side), it was $500 for shipping, not including import taxes.
STS - £90 + import
Quoting: Jamieg285
You're obviously not buying the right things!
I only used him for the bigger bits. Got my cowl panel through them for about the same price. (http://www.mkb.cc/forum/smileys/wink.gif)
Quoting: Andy
Jegs are over doing their FREE GROUND SHIPPING
Good shout, I hadn't considered them.
I couldn't find what I needed on there when searching by description (or at Summit)
I was looking around the specialist suppliers, who charge more, especially for the shipping. What that did do though was get me the suppliers part numbers. Do a direct search in Summit/JEGS with the part numbers and found that both of them do supply the bits I needed after all. (http://www.mkb.cc/forum/smileys/rtfm.gif)
Anyway, after tons of reading on my favourite 2nd gen website, and having another closer look at the current damage, I've worked out exactly what panels I need.
The rust in the passenger footwell extends up the toe boards, and there are only 3 panels which cover that piece:
1. Replacement Firewall (to match original panels) - Not going to do that
2. Half pan with toe board - strong possiblity
3. Full length pan with toe board - possible, but expensive. The middle section of the floor is actually good, so I don't actually need the full panel.
The deciding factor though, was the holes at the back corner, behind the rear seats. Turns out there is only 1 panel available that includes that bit - the full panel (#3 above), so that was decided. This also means that I have a full length outer seam to match up with the rockers (http://www.mkb.cc/forum/smileys/up.gif)
I'd read that the inner rocker is a fairly basic piece and could probably be repaired. However, looking through the holes in the worst section of the outer rocker, I'm not sure there's much of it there to repair. The sensible option had to be to get the replacement panel. As above, this means that the floor/inner/outer seams that join will be all new metal.
It goes without saying that the torque boxes will also need to be replaced, but there are only a couple of places selling these at the moment and I've not been able to identify the make or part numbers, so wasn't able to find them at Jegs or Summit. Plus, with one already sourced at half price, I only need one more and the shipping is pretty low for that.
So, the order has been placed with JEGS for the floor pan and inner rocker. (http://www.mkb.cc/forum/smileys/up.gif)
Where's the welding smiley?
Quoting: Jamieg285
I'm hoping to be able to clear a bit of space in the garage, but it's already overflowing.
You need a shed ! - Or two !! (http://www.mkb.cc/forum/smileys/up.gif)
Quoting: Roadkill
You need a shed ! - Or two !!
Got a shed, but that's pretty full too. The last remaining space in there was taken up by the Corvette wheels I got at the end of last year.
It's not very weather proof either. (http://www.mkb.cc/forum/smileys/down.gif)
I think my first project should be a real good clearout (http://www.mkb.cc/forum/smileys/confused.gif)
Quoting: F Body
Must be approaching the point where you have to decide if patch repairing is feasible
Well the passenger floor/sill area will be all new panels. Just got to work out how much, if any, of the original floor to retain, as from under the front seat back is all OK.
Core support is a different matter. As there isn't a new replacement available, and I don't have £400 to buy a ready restored one, I'll have to repair it in patches myself.
Inner fenders will be replaced when funds allow. Had I known how cheap I could get them in through STS I would have done them earlier. For now I think I will weld/bolt in some gussets to hold it together.
Quoting: F Body
It's starting to look as if a complete strip down will be needed to sort the rot out
Yeah, I know. I can't do the full strip down now, but I'm giving it a good go at the bits that don't need more money right now, and the rest will be done another time. The important goal right now is to get it MOT'd and back on the road.
Another weekend where I spent more time dealing with fence panels than the car (http://www.mkb.cc/forum/smileys/down.gif)
I did get a couple of hours though. I've removed the hood latch mechanism to try and make lifting the nose off a bit easier. Had another go at trying to remove the battery tray, but still no luck. Have taken to spraying rust penetration oil on it regularly in the hope that it will help.
Quoting: Jamieg285
It all measured up OK, but I did spot that the rear most holes where the body mounts go are a bit mis-shaped, so these will need to be repaired. A couple of patch plates and a suitably size hole saw have been sourced.
I forgot to take a picture of the original hole in-situ, so here's the remains after I cut it out:
(http://www.mfatw.com/Pics/2014Surgery/Day5/FrameOldHole.jpg)
As you can see it's not particularly round. It looks like the previous owner tried to repair it by welding directly onto the edge of the hole, easier to see on the underside.
(http://www.mfatw.com/Pics/2014Surgery/Day5/FrameOldUnderside.jpg)
Anyway, I cut the right sized hole in the new plate, lined it up over the old one and clamped, before cutting through both old and new together. I was then able to butt weld the patch in and grind it down.
(http://www.mfatw.com/Pics/2014Surgery/Day5/RepairTopside.jpg)
After grinding I can see that there's a few spots that need going over again. View from underneath shows that the penetration wasn't ideal all the way round, so I'll maybe attack it from underneath, or just re-cut and re-do the thin bits.
(http://www.mfatw.com/Pics/2014Surgery/Day5/RepairUnderside.jpg)
I'm hoping that there will be enough clearance for the mount bushing on that lower right corner. I think that is part of the original frame, so it should be OK. Need to wait until the shipment comes in in April so I can trial fit it. That said, I hope to have the old frame off the car by then, so would be able to test fit the old bush.
I'm getting close to being ready to lift the nose off, and I'm hoping that I can manage it on my own. I suspect that I'll get it off OK, but may need help carrying it down the alley way without knocking it against the wall.
Quoting: Jamieg285
newly acquired trans plug, to keep the fluid from spilling out.
Simple and effective. (http://www.mkb.cc/forum/smileys/up.gif)
Quoting: Jamieg285
I even managed to keep the car looking reasonably presentable for the neighbours
Big girl ! (http://www.mkb.cc/forum/smileys/tongue.gif)
Good progress !
I must admit I do miss having a nice smooth driveway to work on. I'm getting too old for gravel. (http://www.mkb.cc/forum/smileys/old.gif)
Quoting: Roadkill
Simple and effective.
Oi, who you calling simple (http://www.mkb.cc/forum/smileys/tongue.gif)
Quoting: Roadkill
Big girl !
We had a few years of problems with them after the last one. They've calmed down a bit in the last couple of years and I'm trying not to provoke them.
Quoting: Roadkill
I must admit I do miss having a nice smooth driveway to work on. I'm getting too old for gravel.
Block paving isn't exactly smooth, but at least it's level and solid. There is a 1/2 metre wide strip of gravel down the drivers side of the drive, which is a pain. I'm glad I don't have to work on a full driveway of it.
Quoting: Jamieg285
Now the bad news. I rechecked the rear frame after removing the bushes, and found significant rust hole
Looks very familiar. I'm still tackling the rear frame rails on mine(http://www.mkb.cc/forum/smileys/down.gif)
Quoting: Jamieg285
I hit it with a disc sander, and learnt that these don't like edges
DA's work better on edges, I find, although tend to be less aggressive.
I'd recommend a 3M "strip n clean" wheel . . . they're pretty cheap on eBay and take off EVERYTHING, leaving only good metal behind.
I used the purple ones on the Camaro, after my brother recommended them to me . . . probably the best thing he's ever done for me !
Quoting: Roadkill
I'd recommend a 3M "strip n clean" wheel
Rolocs. (http://www.mkb.cc/forum/smileys/tongue.gif)
I've seen them recommended in the US, didn't know you could get them over here. I've ordered one and will see how it goes.
How resilient are they, is one likely to last or will I need more?
Quoting: Jamieg285
How resilient are they, is one likely to last or will I need more?
They wear down pretty slowly . . . obviously the more force, the quicker they'll wear.
I think I used 2 on the camaro.
The thing that kills them quick is sharp edges (like the inner lip of a wheel arch).
Quoting: art b
jeez you have your work cut out for you [quite literally] there Jamie
Yes, but I'm having fun with it though. Bit like a big jigsaw puzzle at the moment, although I'm missing some pieces and the instructions (http://www.mkb.cc/forum/smileys/confused.gif)
Quoting: Jamieg285
always remember to wear your gloves when working around sharp metal
Pfft, years spent man-handling sheet metal onto guillotines and presses soon hardens the tips of your fingers up !
I really can't work with gloves . . . which is totally stupid as I'm in charge of telling dozens of people to wear them.
(http://www.mkb.cc/forum/smileys/rtfm.gif)
(http://www.mkb.cc/forum/smileys/tongue.gif)
Quoting: Roadkill
Fair play for keeping going . . . I think I would've run a mile by now !
Ultimate admiration for you Jamie, your dedication to sorting the Camaro is Epic,,, truly Epic.
When this is finished and you're driving your Camaro again the smile on your face is going to hurt it'll be so huge.
(http://www.mkb.cc/forum/smileys/beavisnbutthead.gif) (http://www.mkb.cc/forum/smileys/rock.gif) (http://www.mkb.cc/forum/smileys/beavisnbutthead.gif)
Quoting: FUBAR
It would drive me stir-crazy-mad that the new panels are rusting before you've even put them in though
its the genuine 70's look...(http://www.mkb.cc/forum/smileys/tongue.gif)
Quoting: FUBAR
Very well done rebuilding this car Jamie
Technically, I haven't rebuilt very much of it yet, mostly taking apart and cutting up. (http://www.mkb.cc/forum/smileys/confused.gif)
Quoting: FUBAR
It would drive me stir-crazy-mad that the new panels are rusting before you've even put them in though...
I know, far from ideal. It could though be worse. I've read a number of posts about people that had panels with the black EDP, which had rust underneath which ate through the paint some time after installation. At least I can see this and sand it off before painting.
Quoting: Roadkill
Good stuff - the welds are looking increasing better.
Ta. Should be really good once the pans are done. I dread to think how many hours that will take.
Quoting: Jamieg285
I'm not sure which way to go now - Drivers floor and rocker, followed by the quarter, rail then tail? or carry on with the rear panel (all bar the final patch piece, rail then floor and quarter, with the tail finished last.
I've been playing in photoshop with an image of the replacement panel, lined up against the rear of my car, to show me where the back is double skinned, to help me understand how all the joints interact at the back.
(http://www.mfatw.com/Pics/2014Surgery/Day46/BumperOff2.jpg)
As you can see, it doesn't extend up that far, in fact it doesn't go above the trunk floor.
Armed with this info, I am now planning to cut back the outer panel a little more, to give me access to repair most of the lower section of this panel. It will end up being a bit of a patchwork, which is more work and less pretty than swapping the panel, but I don't have the funds for doing it properly.
I won't complete the rear section after that, but will then move onto the rear frame rail.
Not sure how quickly it will get done, as there's loads on the calendar in the coming weeks. I will get an odd 30-60 minutes here and there, so will have to make the best of that time.
Quoting: Jamieg285
You know that things are moving too slowly when you have to check your own progress thread to remind you where you got to last time!
Story of my life !!! (http://www.mkb.cc/forum/smileys/rofls.gif)
That said, progress is progress, however little. (http://www.mkb.cc/forum/smileys/up.gif)