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Old 10-17-2018, 11:20 PM
Gumby83 Gumby83 is offline
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Default '57 Cheiftian Windshield Pinchweld Repair, need opinions/options please!

Hey guys, i got my first poncho! bought it from a farm, running and driving (had a leaking rad, valve covers and front pinion seal on the diff) its been swapped with a chevy 350 and a TH350 trans but i went and pulled the windshield out to get it replaced (was cracked badly) and the pinch weld was destroyed via rust (i could see it, just didnt want to see it). now i need your guys help with opinions and ideas on how to fix it. i have a mig welder and can weld in a patch or something but i am at a loss on how to do it since i don't really have much fabrication experience. my end goal is to just get this car road legal and work on it a bit at a time.

here is an album with the rust
https://imgur.com/a/LAnJheH

  #2  
Old 10-18-2018, 12:52 AM
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Jack Gifford Jack Gifford is offline
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Is the roof as rusty as the underside of it appears?
How does the underside of the panel under the rear window look?

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Old 10-18-2018, 01:27 AM
Gumby83 Gumby83 is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Jack Gifford View Post
Is the roof as rusty as the underside of it appears?
How does the underside of the panel under the rear window look?
The roof, on the inside is mainly surface rust and bits of headliner, the underside of the rear window is in great condition.

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Old 10-18-2018, 11:15 AM
694.1 694.1 is offline
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Guessing that is a Canadian Pontiac? The pinch weld is going to be the same as 55-57 Pontiac & Chevy, I'll bet there are reproduction pieces available. Try a Tri-5 Chebby source
And Welcome!.

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Old 10-18-2018, 02:17 PM
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dataway dataway is offline
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I'd say that's fixable. Specially if you can find a pre-made patch.

At my shop I'd just put some 20ga steel in the press brake and bend up a new length of window channel, and as much of the backing (other side of the pinch) as necessary and splice them in. Tedious, but doable. Personally I'd TIG it with silicon bronze, but doable with a MIG, just more finish grinding and such.

If they don't make a patch, and you are confident making a drawing, could probably get a local fab shop to bend you up something.

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Old 10-18-2018, 05:39 PM
Gumby83 Gumby83 is offline
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its a bent/curved piece, i figured i would have to hand-hammer/form the part but a fab shop sounds like a really good idea but i dont know how they could get the curvature. Is there a place i can buy a reproduction roof in canada? and yeah, its a canadian car


also, just found this. would it work for me?

https://www.kijiji.ca/v-classic-cars...ationFlag=true


Last edited by Gumby83; 10-18-2018 at 05:51 PM.
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Old 10-18-2018, 07:13 PM
Gumby83 Gumby83 is offline
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i found a boat load of 57's i can rob for my window channel, fingers crossed boys

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Old 09-12-2022, 09:48 AM
55Wagon 55Wagon is offline
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I fear I will have this issue when I pull my wind shield. I have a leak on drivers side and fear the channel. How did you repair yours?

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