[Onebad79malibu]

I am starting on my tub job on my 1979 Malibu,does anyone have info on where I make my first cuts on removing the material behind seats.?Thanks for any info

[1971BB427]

I would start by cutting the inside edge off the existing wheelwell. Cut it along the trunk floor mating area, and then along the top of the curved wheelwell. You should then have a half moon shaped piece you removed.
Once you've got that out you can cut in towards the frameon each end, and then along the edge of the frame. After that the first piece you cut out can be located and tacked in at the new inside edge. Then a strip that is wide enough to span the gap can be made up and tacked to the inner wheelwell, and the relocated inside piece.
Then it's just a series of tack welds until it's all solid welds, and seam seal the welds and paint. I can usually do a mini tub in a few hours total.
Here's a tutorial that will help. It mentions drilling out all the spot welds, but I never do that as it just isn't necessary if you cut along the floor instead.
http://www.hotrod.com/techarticles/b...e/viewall.html

[Onebad79malibu]

Thank you for the info!!As soon as I figure it out,I will post some pics of the build.Im headed to kc tomorrow to pick up a new welder and a plasma cutter to make the job easier.

[1971BB427]

Great! Wish I had a plasma cutter! I do mine with a battery powered sawzall! Sometimes that is easier, as a plasma cutter requires bare metal to cut.

[NEW INTERIORS]

Originally Posted by 1971BB427

Great! Wish I had a plasma cutter! I do mine with a battery powered sawzall! Sometimes that is easier, as a plasma cutter requires bare metal to cut.

It will cut though the paint once you get it going.. Mine does..
But yes it doesn't like paint..
Here's a few shot's of a car I did..might give you some ideas..

[Onebad79malibu]

Yeah I've got the trusty saws all ready to go as well just in case.Thanks for posting the pictures,they are a big help.I checked out the areas 1971BB427 mentioned,that and the pictures are exactly what I was looking for to get started.

[68NovaSS]

Here's a couple of photos from doing my Nova, the cardboard layout helped a lot. Mine looks particularly ugly because I back-halved the car as well. The plasma cutter was nice to have.

[Onebad79malibu]

Thanks 68novass!I appreciate the pics,its nice to have a visual.

[Onebad79malibu]

Hi all!Well I made it home with the new mig and plasma cutter.Can someone give me some info on the size of tires I should be using on my Malibu?i would like to stuff some 31x14.50x15's under it.Im running a well built 383 stroker that I'm sure will handle whatever I put under it.Im running 295/55/15 drag radials on it now but I'm thinking I want to do my tubs to handle bigger than that.They fit nicely,but I don't like the stance,but since I already have them I'm thinking maybe just a mini tub to push them farther under the car,and with the new frame rails and rear suspension I can lower the rear down to where I want it.im going to tub and narrow it either way,but just not sure how much yet.Thanks for all the great and helpfull info!

[68NovaSS]

Here's another pictorial "how to do it", if you bought a kit you probably already have some instructions.

[SSedan64]

May find some more Pics & tire Info here >> MalibuRacing.com Forum • Index page

[1971BB427]

Hard to say what you can put under it for tires until you finish the tubbing, and whatever axle narrowing you might do. Once that's all done you can measure from your hub surface and figure out what you have for clearance, plus what offset you'll need.
I use a simple piece of wood bolted across two axle studs. Make it long enough to swing inside the rear wheelwell, and it will allow you to measure the max diameter of the tire, plus measure in and out from the stick to get total tire width, and offset.

[NEW INTERIORS]

I always buy the tires I want to stuff under what ever I want to build... Set the tires in place and build everything around the tires... I learnt that from some pro chassis builder I know... But everyone does things different.. Here's a few I have done..

If you do it any other way then this... Make sure you do you math right.. Are you will end up with the tires to far out, Or like some people WAY to far inside the lip of the fender.. Good luck..

[1971BB427]

Originally Posted by NEW INTERIORS

I always buy the tires I want to stuff under what ever I want to build... Set the tires in place and build everything around the tires... I learnt that from some pro chassis builder I know... But everyone does things different.. Here's a few I have done..

If you do it any other way then this... Make sure you do you math right.. Are you will end up with the tires to far out, Or like some people WAY to far inside the lip of the fender.. Good luck..

Very good point! Nothing will ruin the look of a car more than a tire wheel combo that doesn't sit right. Some cars look better with tires tucked in, and some look better hanging out. Regardless of what you choose, it needs to be right for the car.
I've always disliked the look of cars with big tires tucked too far in, but I like old cars with some tire hanging out, if the body design works for that setup.

[NEW INTERIORS]

Originally Posted by 1971BB427

Very good point! Nothing will ruin the look of a car more than a tire wheel combo that doesn't sit right. Some cars look better with tires tucked in, and some look better hanging out. Regardless of what you choose, it needs to be right for the car.
I've always disliked the look of cars with big tires tucked too far in, but I like old cars with some tire hanging out, if the body design works for that setup.

Very true... I think if your building a gasser,, They need to be out,, But if your on the ground,, I like them as close to the inside lip of the fender that you can get away without any rubbing.... I see so many pro street cars that the back tires are 3'' inside the lip... That points to me someone didn't know what they was doing..