Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunter's Campfire 1969 Roadrunner revival

Is the car done yet?

yes, all done.

And thats the truth....

The many, many tack welds that it takes to cover a 7' 4" weld.







After a little grinder and sander work.

Dave, when you do the welding along the seam, the idea is to not make it a solid weld? I understand the spots are to reduce the heat, but a solid weld is not required?
Thanks.
R.

End result is a solid weld. (my choice)

But it's a slow road, buzzing short tacks to keep the heat down and trying to make all the tacks come together as one in the end.

I press in a special filler (I use evercoat metal 2 metal) in the seam to seal any pinholes etc then overlay with poyester glazing filler to blend any minor weld seam rippling.

very impressive, Dave. It's really starting to come together nicely.

Dave-
I'd like to bring my rolled truck over. When will you have time?

Ah that's right, you had the slightly wrinkled big bad ford right?

Gotcha. I have a panel to try out, hence the question. Is the solid thing the way to go, or can a fella call it close enough with what you have shown so far?
I can say, I have never learned so much about car body work as I have from your threads.
Thanks again.
R.

Looking good Dave, It's starting to look like a car again.

Main reason for posting is to bump it back to the top.

That is one Looong seam, Dave.
Longer than a Smart Car!

Nice job!
I would have so many waves it would make you sea sick to look at!

You tack untill there is nothing left to tack. keep moving to an open spot between tacks untill there are no open spots left.

Makes for one damn ugly weld but it's the only way to keep from warping the panels, especially on a long weld seam.

Have you ever tried bonding body panels on? I've used a 2-part epoxy that runs through a mixing nozzle on quarter panels, rocker panels and door skins. You do have to make a few short welds in high stress area, usually top and bottom corners, and clamp in place while it sets up. What I like about is that it's virtually warp free and you don't give corrosion a place to start. I know what a pain it is doing those individual spot welds the lenght of the quarter panel.

I researched it quite a bit as it gained popularity with the collision repair guys. A friend of mine was a pretty big fan of the adhesives out of the gates. But I've talked to too many in the classic restoration field that have regrets about trying it on large panel seams.

Mostly to do with darker cars like black cars soaking up heat in the sun and thermal expansion incompatibilities. Basically the seam mysteriously showing itself in certain conditions.

I don't mind the old school methods.

Especially since the entire body of this car is basically critical torque structure which is important when you plant 400 + HP to a pair of sticky tires and the engine tries to lift the drivers side engine mount at the same time it pushes down on the passenger side and it basically tries to twist the car like a beer can. (I don't quite make 400 HP right now but it would be pretty damn easy for me to get there with a few bucks)

This has been a great thread, Dave.

Welding the trunk latch box and tail pan braces back in.









Doing some sanding outside.



Trouble with the door handle holes..



[img]http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e364/northerndave/roadrunner%20stuff/102_5999.jpg[/img]

Going to have to do some welding there.

dave I hate to mention it, as I know you're doing your best


but something about that long weld doesn't seem kosher to me.

I've done a little welding (very little) and while I'll get the little tack spots like you're showing but about every 3rd one I seem to get a gaping hole where I was trying to weld.

might be quicker to just use an ice pick or nail punch now, well if you want it to look like ole 2legit's handiwork.

you can thank me later, keep yer chin up son, glad i could help

oh and did you already sand the tack spots, mine look more like the tip of an ice cream cone from the DQ

don't worry bout going back and addin em, too much work, just keep it in mind for the next project

lol! ok I'll get after that asap.