[409guy]

I have a 1963 SS impala i have cancer in the lower parts of my front fenders and i wanted to know if i can get a tip on doing it my self. I also have some cancer around the back window i think i might have to go to a body shop for that one, but if you guys have any tips than it will help me out alot. Thanks

 

[Halloweenking]

I am a body tech. How bad is the cancer? depending on how bad it is and where it is on the front fenders is how you will go about it. If its not to bad and in a open area you can weld in a patch panel, or if its pretty hopeless you could just buy the new front quarters and not concern yourself with the welding and cutting. the rear windoe is about the same way, if its not that bad patch it with some sheetmetal and a welder, smooth it oover with some dynaglass and your home free. Feel free to message me with any questions you might have.

 

[409guy]

the cancer is not that bad on the front qtr panels but the problem is that i would not be able to bend the metal in the shape i need.. do you have any advice for that? well if you do that would be really cool. i am also tubbing my rear end i am goin to use it as a daily driver and use it for a little street/track racing. this is my first restoration.. well it is my 1st car, my parents bought it for my 15 b-day back in january. we are doing a frame off retro-restroation now it is completly gutted i dont have any floor pans or interior. could you give me any tips on how to do any restoration work that would cause a big problem. like what steps to take and what i should and shouldnt do myself. well any information on restoration, tubbing, 409's or any thing in my car category would be awsome
Thanks a lot
-Charlie (a.k.a 409guy)

 

[Halloweenking]

409's I lovem, the '63 impalas are great, has a '63 'vert, it wasn't rodded though, it was painted candy root beer with white interior, lowerd a tad and had thin whitewalls with Radir wheels, 396 that ran like a raped ape. wasn't al that nice, just freshend up to look tthat way.

where is the rust exactly, Is it just serface rust or has it eaten its way through? If its through, all you can do is if its good sized, patch it, or do it the easy way and buy some new fenders, or you could fill it with dynaglass, i like the patching or new fenders better, but if your on a budget with no way to do either just sand blast the spot and fill it, or use some of that rust converter in cans and fill it.

Well to me i do everything robotically anymore, but I don't know you or whoevers helping you skill level, most everything I can think of you can do at home if you have the tools and a bit of know how. Suspentions need exstra attention for safety and comfort. Floorboards are simple, interiors easy, wirings not fun unless you get a nicely labeled kit. alighning doors take time but are easy. other than that I think you'll be fine.

I'd have to advise against tubbing it if your going to drive it daily, I'd just get some nice rims and tires and forget about the tubs, but thats me, if you like it do it, its your car, have fun with it, just keep in mind the gas money, its a very important thing when its your first car, mine had a mean 327 with 4:11's in the rear, I spent more time at home then I did when I had no car.

 

[dinger]

growing up in duluth, mn., the rust capital of the world, i started working in a small body shop at 14 to have a place to work on my car and learn how to fix rust, all the cars had rust, some as new as 2 years old. eastwood has a lot of fairly inexpensive tools, buy a metal flanger, vise grip type or one to fit into an air chisel. kleckos (sp?) to hold your metal in place, various body vise grips to hold also, there's also a gas welding rod that uses very little heat (for warpage), check out your local welding supply places. bending metal? look around, work bench tops, a vise with an anvil on the end, an inflated tire for a round bend, use your imagination, like i said, look around. i've used the rounded concrete curb to shape. nothing is safe ..lol. a car as old as yours might be hard to find rust free parts, yet it might not be old enough for aftermarket guys to remanufacture, probably would be expensive also. back window sheetmetal, wrecking yard would be my first choice, probably would be a tough find. your car has the basic rear window shape as the full size olds and pontiacs, possibly a caddy also. rust reformer works well for the pitted areas where it's not rusted through. practice on those front fenders, rust is probably on the bottom where it meets the door? hey, find or build some patches, hows a bout a tilt front end? might be bit much if you're just starting, it sure would look wicked though. good luck.

 

[409guy]

hey guys thanks for all the info, i was thinkin abou doin a tilt front end but i heard bad stuff about them so... that idea is out. but on the front fenders it is all the way rusted out. there is about a 6 in tall space were it is all just rusted away.but i was wondering if a 63 biscayne door would fit on my car? well i have to go now but i mght have more questions.
thanks again
-Charlie (aka 409guy)

[ May 16, 2002: Message edited by: 409guy ]</p>

 

[Halloweenking]

A biscayne door, nope (I know how you feel) Biscaynes have window frames, SS's don't so they won't work but alot of the other things will, actually most everything. I would say if you absolutly positively can't make a patch for your fenders, either buy two new ones, find them at a salvage yard, or get a whole fiberglass front clip. Feel free to send me an e-mail or personal message for any other questions.