Quick body panel question.
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2017
Posts: 6,944
Likes: 1,490
From: New Jersey
Quick body panel question.
Hey guys. I have a rather stupid question. The front quarter (fender or whatever it is) next to the battery tray, the one you have to remove to replace the battery, was there a point in production where the lower bolt hole between the rocker and panel was notched to allow the panel to come completly off? I ask because I have heard that on the later cars you loosen that one and the panel pops off but on mine it is clearly a complete oval. I only ask because it scares me how much you have to bend the panel to get the battery out and that seemed like a good update. I'm just curious as I don't care all that much but wanted to know. These are things I think of when I'm bored. 
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Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2017
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Likes: 1,490
From: New Jersey
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From: Plano TX
4+3,
My '84 was the same way (no notch - complete oval) - which I thought was odd. After owning an '89 and an '88 that both had the notch, I couldn't believe what a PIA the '84 was to remove the panel as I was expecting it to have the notch and simply slide out once the bolt is loosened (as described in the service manuals). Once I realized the panel wasn't coming off, like you, I didn't feel comfortable with how I had to bend the panel. I ended up loosening the rocker panel screws enough where I could properly remove the panel. Once off, I got my Dremel and made the notch, so I don't have to deal with it again...
auto_cran
My '84 was the same way (no notch - complete oval) - which I thought was odd. After owning an '89 and an '88 that both had the notch, I couldn't believe what a PIA the '84 was to remove the panel as I was expecting it to have the notch and simply slide out once the bolt is loosened (as described in the service manuals). Once I realized the panel wasn't coming off, like you, I didn't feel comfortable with how I had to bend the panel. I ended up loosening the rocker panel screws enough where I could properly remove the panel. Once off, I got my Dremel and made the notch, so I don't have to deal with it again...
auto_cran