[Quarter Flash]

Since I extended my chassis out to 100” I had to extend the front side of my wheel wells. Since I did my rear wheel wells a few months ago it was easier the second time around. I stitch welded the panel in place first and now I will go back and solid weld the panel in place. My thinking on the stitch welding was to hold the panel in place firmly so it didn’t shift when I solid welded it. That’s probably armature thinking, but this is my first build. I will also have to do some restructuring of the fiberglass nose piece. Notice the bad fit between the lower front of the left fender and the nose. I don’t know of another way to fix the problem other than to simply cut the problem out and rebuild (from scratch) the part that does not fit. Suggestions welcome

Bob

[baddbob]

That looks like a Monza? You've got the idea right, tack it untill it is completely welded allowing it to cool between welds, move around so the heat isn't concentrated in one area, you can hammer and dolly as you go to keep warpage down.

[35WINDOW]

QuarterFlash,

Nice work, I can't wait to see your Project completed and your Wife smiling from that first big run!

For me, I've learned to not grind much until I've completed the Welding-in my early attempts, I found that I would want it to be perfect and grind the Metal too thin, so I really practiced at grinding only the Welds (sometimes that Roloc Disc wanders you know ).

Now I will Weld 'er up (allowing sufficient time between Welds to cool), Hammer and Dolly the Panel so it's straight, grind carefully, and sometimes if you hold your Mouth just right you can't tell it's been welded !

[Quarter Flash]

It is a 80 Monza. Take a look at my journal. I have done a lot of work. Drawback to my journal is I don't get any feedback. This being my first build of any kind sometimes I don't know the questions to ask. As in your advice to keep spotting it until I fill it all in. When I did my quarters (see journal) I had a lot of problems with warpage. Mostly, I have figured out what to do by reading other peoples journals and posts, but it doesn't always directly relate to what I'm doing or not enough explanation for an armature. Good points also from 35Window on grinding the welds. Oops your right I hadn't thought of that.

Bob

[35WINDOW]

Bob,

In terms of warpage, I was over in the Body Shop of the Dealership that I work in, and one of the Top Tech's there told me about giving the Welds a shot of air to cool them down. I'm sure they do that to meet flat rate times.

This is nothing really new, but it was to me at the time, and I reported it here-lots of discussion, but it will help somewhat in that you will cool the area down around the Weld before the heat really spreads-won't completely help with warpage, but it will help some-

Good luck-I have kept track of your progress (from afar), and to be truthful am quite jealous-I think all of us would love to have a Drag Car as nice as the one you are building-

[Quarter Flash]

It is always great to get suggestions on how to do or to do things better. I have received a lot of great advice from this site and I appreciate it immensely. It is also great to hear someone say you did a good job. This builds ones confidence and motivates for the long haul. Thank You

Bob

[Quarter Flash]

Thought I would post some pics after doing the basic fiberglass work and fitting.

B