QuestionGoing to install rockers(and more) in my 57 T Bird.Planning a frame off restoration.
Reading thru some of your other posts,you recommend an inch of metal overlap on body panel replacement.
Do you recommend the overlap for rocker and dog leg installations?
Is the overlap for structural integrity?It would be a cleaner look to butt weld the two pieces with minimal overlap.
Car is currently fully assembled for weight in the right places.
Should I weld the pieces in up the lift or on the ground?
Also could you elaborate on "weld thru primer"?Its a new find for me.
Thanks for your expert guidance.
John
AnswerDo the car supported on the wheels, like on jack stands . Put them under the rar axle as far out as possible, put them under the front a arms. Keep it as true to normal ride height as possible. DO NOT DO THIS ON AN UNDERBODY LIFT!! It will tweak the body, and once the car is on the ground, things won't fit up right. Weld thru primer is okay, but it makes welds spit and pop. I mark welds, and take a little grinder and grind off the primer where the welds go, especially plug welds. Butt welding critically damages sheet metal, through warpage and heat. It weakens the metal. That it why you overlap rust panels. If you are skilled enough, only overlap a half inch, and use a panel flanging tool wherever possible on the overlaps. This creates a little shelf, and a recess for the new panel to fit into. Besides, butt welding is difficult, you never seem to get the panels to line up perfectly. That creates little viods that must be filled with weld, that creates more heat, that weakens metal. Do you want to risk your rockers cracking the filler over them when you put the car up on a hoist? Or worse, the seam splitting due to over grinding of the chicken crap welds all along every seam? It's up to you, my friend. Bill
