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#1
08-22-2006, 11:41 PM
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Is this a stupid idea?
First off I'm half in the bag so bear with me
 Anyway, I've got a 65 Bonne and I recently took the windshield out to find my dash is rotten! Now I got to thinking...if I could find another dash I could just cut mine out, drill out where its spot welded to my cowl and weld a new one back in from a donor car if I could find one. I'm sure if I took to my time I could patch in pieces here and there but just thought it would be quicker with replacing the dash. Does that make sense and is that stupid? I'm a rookie at all this.  The following pic kinda shows ya what I've got to deal with here.... 
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#2
08-23-2006, 12:42 AM
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Another rookie idea here also, but I would suspect that any donor that is ready to give up the dash is probably in the same shape (or worse) as yours. I would also be worried about alignment problems and not getting it back in where everything would line up again. You would have to be on the money side to side, front to back, even the proper tilt of the complete unit. It would seem that bending small pieces up and replacing sections at a time would allow everything to stay in place and be at least as strong as a complete replacement. Even my California cars have a lot of problems around the windows and we have always just done spot repairs on the channel.
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#3
08-23-2006, 08:00 AM
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Looks like a very ambitious project for a beginner but finding a dash shouldnt be that hard
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#4
08-23-2006, 09:01 AM
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Dave,
Your thinking is very correct. Your best results are to replace a factory panel with a factory panel. Yes, it's a bit more work, but your results will be excellent. When I replace a floor pan, trunk pan or any other panel, the first thing I do is blow out the spot welds with my plasma cutter and take the old piece out as it was put in by the factory. With a spot weld drill bit, you'll have to grind the extra layer off to get it flush and then plug weld the the new piece back in. Works fine - last a long time!! Be sure to cut out more than you need from the donar car and take your time back in your shop and remove the excess by drilling out the spot welds. You should be able to purchase a spot weld drill bit (looks like a very small hole saw) at any automotive paint supply store. Once you've replace the dash, you won't be able to tell it's been replaced. Take your time and PM me or email if you have questions. I am the POCI and PontiacRegistry Paint and Bodywork tech advisor. -r-
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Never trust anything that bleeds for five days and won't die. |
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#5
08-23-2006, 10:21 AM
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I dealt with the exact same windshield base metal rustout problem on my 65 GP....I cut patch panels from the cowl of a 65 Buick Wildcat parts car, that in this area, was in way better condition. The body metal there is identical between brands (both being Fisher body). Very tedious but the results were worth it..and this is not a place for bondo or fiberglass. Also cut metal from the Wildcat's quarters to patch my fenders..the curve in the metal was an exact match. So yes, my Pontiac is about .1% Buick now.
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#6
08-23-2006, 08:40 PM
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I also don't think you are off base or over ambitious. That '66 4 door parts car I just posted pictures of has a great dash section like what you are talking about that I plan to use in the same way. Other areas of the body were rusted, but the dash & windshield area were nice. You never know what you will find in the donor car that is usable.
I have seen other guys tack in a temporary piece of sturcutal steel in the non-donor car to keep the body stable while they cut out the old & put in the new section. I think this is a really good idea. Undoubtedly, if you have that much rust, there are forces at work not as new. I would wager that when you cut the dash out of your desirable car, it will want to go in a non-factory direction. As 64 Droptop says, cut plenty of extra material from the donor car. Take lots of pictues & scribe marks all around the old dash before removal. Oh, & keep partying for inspiration.
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"If you do everything you'll win" -LBJ 13 Smiles per Gallon: 66 Bonneville wagon 66 Bonneville 2d HT - In perpetual progress 2005 GMC L-33 |
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#7
08-23-2006, 11:11 PM
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Dave, I'm tellin ya, you should've taken that whole 4dr of mine home with ya...price would have been double what you invested in the front clip alone, but... actually I am just yanking your chain. The dash on the one you got your clip from was even worse...I urethaned the daylights out of the holes, ran a bead all the way around and reset the window (fully realizing that the car had become a Wisconsin daily driver anyway).
BTW, I like the artwork on the '65 Bonne hot wheels car!
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RediRad circuit designs, branding and intellectual property are for sale. Serious inquiries only. |
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#8
08-23-2006, 11:21 PM
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If I had a way of getting the 4 door home I would have gladly taken it off your hands
I found what looked like an old junkyard not far from home actually so I may take a trip out there tomorrow to see what they have weather permitting?? And thanks again for the parts Matt  I still believe my ol' 65 is worth fixing so I'll keep gathering parts. I'm hoping to finish off my garage this winter and pick up a few more things then dive into this  Oh and my sig was made by one of my buddies
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