Front fender not aligning
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 174
Likes: 6
From: McDonough Georgia
Front fender not aligning
1970. My front fender never fitted correctly so today I finally had enough and decided to see what's behind the problem. That's when things started to go bad because the more I dug the worst things got.
I knew my front left fender had bodywork done, but I didn't know a plastic strip and styrofoam was part of the repair.
At this point I have a large gap between the door and the body. I'm not sure what is missing??? I looked at the images on the following site http://www.corvette-restoration.com but I'm still not clear what exactly is missing.
Here are a few images:
I'm not a body person so any assistance will be greatly appreciated...Thanks.
Al
I knew my front left fender had bodywork done, but I didn't know a plastic strip and styrofoam was part of the repair.
At this point I have a large gap between the door and the body. I'm not sure what is missing??? I looked at the images on the following site http://www.corvette-restoration.com but I'm still not clear what exactly is missing.
Here are a few images:
I'm not a body person so any assistance will be greatly appreciated...Thanks.
Al
Last edited by ONeill202; Aug 3, 2013 at 07:54 PM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 3,264
Likes: 3
From: Vero Beach FL
It appears that someone has cut the corners off the top of the surround to repair the lower corner of the birdcage. It looks like they used some sort of foam to seal it up. Does the car leak?
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 3,264
Likes: 3
From: Vero Beach FL
That piece of cardboard is replacing a sort of gutter that is missing. My guess is because it was rusted. What year is your car? To correct this mess you are going to have to remove the corners again and be prepare to weld.
I do not have a photo of the rust I cut out but rather the repaired corner. The White color is epoxy primer.
I do not have a photo of the rust I cut out but rather the repaired corner. The White color is epoxy primer.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 174
Likes: 6
From: McDonough Georgia
Thanks for the help.
Last edited by ONeill202; Jul 14, 2013 at 08:59 PM.
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Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 174
Likes: 6
From: McDonough Georgia
The windshield was replaced a few years ago. The installer noted on the receipt that surface rust was present on the frame. My plan is to remove the windshield next to inspect for rust. I maybe opening a bigger can of worms, but it needs to be done.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 3,264
Likes: 3
From: Vero Beach FL
Yes. It belonged to a man in Florida that has since passed away. He was an architect and wanted to restore a corvette as a retirement project. He did a lot of work but much still needs to be done. I haven't welded since high school so I'm sure to be rusty. Can you recommend a portable welder (mig) that I can purchase for this project?
Thanks for the help.
Thanks for the help.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 174
Likes: 6
From: McDonough Georgia
I thought I'd share a few more pictures of the horrors I keep finding. Any chance someone might have the metal piece I need for this job? I'm not a metal worker and cutting all of this out of 16 gauge sheets of metal seems terrifying to me.
Last edited by ONeill202; Aug 3, 2013 at 08:13 PM.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 31,302
Likes: 4,391
From: Westminster Maryland
Hi ON,
The water that caused the rust you've discovered needed to go some where.
Hopefully it ran down the outside of the hinge pillar, but to be sure take a look at the BOTTOM of the hinge pillar through the kick panel area to be sure it's still solid.
Now's the time to know the truth.
Good Luck!
Regards,
Alan
The water that caused the rust you've discovered needed to go some where.
Hopefully it ran down the outside of the hinge pillar, but to be sure take a look at the BOTTOM of the hinge pillar through the kick panel area to be sure it's still solid.
Now's the time to know the truth.
Good Luck!
Regards,
Alan
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 174
Likes: 6
From: McDonough Georgia
Hi ON,
The water that caused the rust you've discovered needed to go some where.
Hopefully it ran down the outside of the hinge pillar, but to be sure take a look at the BOTTOM of the hinge pillar through the kick panel area to be sure it's still solid.
Now's the time to know the truth.
Good Luck!
Regards,
Alan
The water that caused the rust you've discovered needed to go some where.
Hopefully it ran down the outside of the hinge pillar, but to be sure take a look at the BOTTOM of the hinge pillar through the kick panel area to be sure it's still solid.
Now's the time to know the truth.
Good Luck!
Regards,
Alan
Thank you for the reply. I've inspected the entire pillar area and it's truly amazing that there is no additional rust. There is, however, one more area of interest and that is along the rear of the center roof support. I've included a few pic below for your review and advise. I'd like to buy the metal that is needed for this area as well.
At some point some well intended person noticed all the rust and filled every crevasse with silicone caulking and styrofoam. It's been a dreadful job cleaning all the silicone out.
Thanks!
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 31,302
Likes: 4,391
From: Westminster Maryland
Hi ON,
If the hinge pillar is solid you're very fortunate.
The location where the center brace meets the steel halo looks like it will need some attention. There is some access from below but it looks like you MAY need to open it up from the top side too. It depends how serious it turns out to be and how thorough you want to be.
Regards,
Alan
Original appearance with no leak.
If the hinge pillar is solid you're very fortunate.
The location where the center brace meets the steel halo looks like it will need some attention. There is some access from below but it looks like you MAY need to open it up from the top side too. It depends how serious it turns out to be and how thorough you want to be.
Regards,
Alan
Original appearance with no leak.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 174
Likes: 6
From: McDonough Georgia
Hi ON,
If the hinge pillar is solid you're very fortunate.
The location where the center brace meets the steel halo looks like it will need some attention. There is some access from below but it looks like you MAY need to open it up from the top side too. It depends how serious it turns out to be and how thorough you want to be.
Regards,
Alan
Original appearance with no leak.
If the hinge pillar is solid you're very fortunate.
The location where the center brace meets the steel halo looks like it will need some attention. There is some access from below but it looks like you MAY need to open it up from the top side too. It depends how serious it turns out to be and how thorough you want to be.
Regards,
Alan
Original appearance with no leak.
Al
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 174
Likes: 6
From: McDonough Georgia