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#1
11-05-2001, 11:25 PM
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Just starting a resto on a 69 coupe and I'm a novice. Front fenders and interior are gone, but original motor and rest are there.
Floor pans, rear quarters, and seams between the trunk and rear wheel wells are rusted and need to be replaced. I don't know the first thing about welding -- where and how does one learn to weld? Local schools are out cause of my day job. Is it feasible to think I can get some books, slide into my local Sears, purchase what I need, and practice, practice, practice? Any advice on this or other resto tips is appreciated.... Thanks, John
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69 Firebird/TA clone |
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#2
11-05-2001, 11:25 PM
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Just starting a resto on a 69 coupe and I'm a novice. Front fenders and interior are gone, but original motor and rest are there.
Floor pans, rear quarters, and seams between the trunk and rear wheel wells are rusted and need to be replaced. I don't know the first thing about welding -- where and how does one learn to weld? Local schools are out cause of my day job. Is it feasible to think I can get some books, slide into my local Sears, purchase what I need, and practice, practice, practice? Any advice on this or other resto tips is appreciated.... Thanks, John
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69 Firebird/TA clone |
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#3
11-07-2001, 04:16 PM
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disassembly is easier than reassembly.
For each part: decide to clean/steelwool or replace. Ccass can help you out.
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12.24/111.6MPH/1.76 60'/28"/3.54:1/SP-TH400/469 R96A/236-244-112LC/1050&TorkerI//3850Lbs//15MPG/89oct Sold 2003: 12.00/112MPH/1.61 60'/26"x3.31:1/10"/469 #48/245-255-110LSA/Q-Jet-Torker/3650Lbs//18MPG 94oct Sold 1994: 11.00/123MPH/1.50 60'/29.5"x4.10:1/10"/469 #48/245-255-110LSA/Dual600s-Wenzler/3250Lbs//94oct |
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#4
11-07-2001, 08:06 PM
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<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Half-Inch Stud:
disassembly is easier than reassembly. For each part: decide to clean/steelwool or replace. Ccass can help you out.<HR></BLOCKQUOTE> I'm documenting everything during disassembly to include pictures, notes, diagrams, etc. Replacement is the strategy of choice -- I want to end up with a nice ride. Ccass may not know it yet, but his name is penciled in for a LOT of parts! [img]/infopop/emoticons/icon_wink.gif[/img] Are you familiar with http://www.network6000.com/index.html ? This guy sells books and videos on welding... Thanks, John
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69 Firebird/TA clone |
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#5
11-08-2001, 01:55 AM
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The main thing is to buy a nice set of ViseGrip brand vise grips. They make ones specifically for welding body panels. These are important tools to have when doing patch panels and 1/4'ers. Learning to weld from a book is hard. It's real easy to warp panels from too much application. There's also ways of shrinking metal with an acetylene torch, when the metal has stretched. You might find an autobody school that has night courses. I learned from an autobody school. Read as much as you can on the topic. Ask lots of questions and read what you can from restoration magazines. But you really learn more from actually doing it, and watching a professional do it. Alignment is very important before you actually touch the metal with a welding tip or rod.
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 "Life is what happens to you while you're busy making other plans." "More tears are shed from answered prayers, than unanswered prayers" |
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#6
11-08-2001, 10:21 AM
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jcruz,
forgeddabout doing your own metalwork this first time. Classic mistake on starting a project without the tools to finish. Again, Consider that many decor parts come up fine with steel wool. Spend your money on body panels first, weatherstrips, emblems, then paint. Hopefully you forgeddabout interior until after the body and engine are done. Then car inspection, Registration, drive it, and NOW upgrade the interior if you think it needs it. I toothbrushed the seats and doorpanels, they just to good to recover. Dash related parts are common pickins from others on this site. Redo your harnesses manually while the body is in paint. Add ground wires to tail harness bulbs. Add ground wire path to headlight ground wire lugs. You will love the results that you can do.
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12.24/111.6MPH/1.76 60'/28"/3.54:1/SP-TH400/469 R96A/236-244-112LC/1050&TorkerI//3850Lbs//15MPG/89oct Sold 2003: 12.00/112MPH/1.61 60'/26"x3.31:1/10"/469 #48/245-255-110LSA/Q-Jet-Torker/3650Lbs//18MPG 94oct Sold 1994: 11.00/123MPH/1.50 60'/29.5"x4.10:1/10"/469 #48/245-255-110LSA/Dual600s-Wenzler/3250Lbs//94oct |
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#7
11-08-2001, 07:53 PM
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Sounds like I'm somewhat on the right track and I appreciate all the advice.
I've considered trying to get in with a local shop -- I'm not above sweeping floors if I can hang out and learn enough about welding to do my own work. I've already gotten a few of the body panels and yes, I'll complete the body and engine first. The interior only has 1 bucket seat from a 68 and a headliner -- the rest is gone except for a couple of door panels in really bad shape, a dash panel that someone invariably cut up to put a different radio in, and few other things like the floor vents. Actually, it seems the job will be somewhat easier since I'll have to replace everything else. Again, many thanks for the advice -- I'm sure to have many more specific questions as I go along.... John
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69 Firebird/TA clone |
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