[rusthater89]

What does the inside of a 1978 Firebird rocker panel look like. Is it simply a box or is it the kind that has a piece of metal in between?

[bigdog7373]

Your profile picture is classic.

[tech69]

never did one for that year but there's usually an inner and outer rocker. Might sound like a lot but it's a pretty bare minimal structural design. In newer cars you might find rocker covers and the outer sheet metal isn't even classified as an outer rocker, the outer rocker would be underneith, then there's an inner rocker too. So for sure on classic cars it's a lot less to deal with.

[rusthater89]

Originally Posted by bigdog7373

Your profile picture is classic.

LOL, My girfriend had an evil hamster so I got the fruit.

[rusthater89]

Originally Posted by tech69

never did one for that year but there's usually an inner and outer rocker. Might sound like a lot but it's a pretty bare minimal structural design. In newer cars you might find rocker covers and the outer sheet metal isn't even classified as an outer rocker, the outer rocker would be underneith, then there's an inner rocker too. So for sure on classic cars it's a lot less to deal with.

Looking at it I just see a few spot welds. So I figure I could drill them out and when I am done fixing it up I can just weld it back in place. The top part however looks like it is an extension of the floor.

My garage is a mess from sandblasting. When I am done i'll post some pics of it.

[Mirror Image]

it should be weled at the floor where the door opens and in the front below the door and at the bottom of the rocker and it will be weled to the bottom of the quarter it will also to the floor under the quarter

[deadbodyman]

Since thats a unibody car there will be an inner structure but the outer rocker will pop right off once the welds are drilled out...look where the weather striping slips on the lip theres at least three layers of steel pinch welded together you dont have to drill out all three layers, just the top one to remove the outer rocker.same with the bottom pinch welds...getting it seperated from the 1/4 bottom will be a little tricky if you want to save the rocker,why do you want to remove it?

[rusthater89]

Originally Posted by deadbodyman

Since thats a unibody car there will be an inner structure but the outer rocker will pop right off once the welds are drilled out...look where the weather striping slips on the lip theres at least three layers of steel pinch welded together you dont have to drill out all three layers, just the top one to remove the outer rocker.same with the bottom pinch welds...getting it seperated from the 1/4 bottom will be a little tricky if you want to save the rocker,why do you want to remove it?

I want to be sure there is no rust anywhere.

[tech69]

Are you replacing the outer rocker cause of rust? Be sure to plan your welding attack before drilling out spot welds. You don't want to drill them out on the bad side and realize it when you're welding. Been there before...

[rusthater89]

Originally Posted by tech69

Are you replacing the outer rocker cause of rust? Be sure to plan your welding attack before drilling out spot welds. You don't want to drill them out on the bad side and realize it when you're welding. Been there before...

Hopefully I can drill the spot welds out carefully and possibly reuse the rocker. It seems solid but I can see rust inbetween the seam at the bottom.