1964 Rusty Bucket transformation

[Crumley]

I haven't posted lately due to doing honey due lists (Halloween Decorations and building Halloween props). I did manage to work on the Belvedere on Friday morning, so here is a update on the build. The right side trunk extension is fitted and tacked in. The lower fender well (outer) has been cut and fitted, but not tacked yet. A trial fit of the 1/4 panel has been done and it is looking good. Will need to do a little trimming on the 1/4 panel at the B pillar to get the panel to sit correctly. Here are a few pictures:

 

[Homstead]

Looking good! Keep at it!

 

[Crumley]

A quickie update. I did get to work on the Belvedere some today. The 1/4 panel has been put on and taken off at least 4 or 5 times. I have trimmed, tapped with a body hammer, cut and bent everything from the new fender well, new trunk extension and new 1/4 panel. With that said the AMD panel is actually fitting quite nicely.

While doing all of this I noticed that the bottom angle at the back of the new inner fender well, trunk extension and 1/4 panel wasn't lining up correctly......at this point, I realized I may have installed the trunk extension a little too high on the new trunk pan.....with that said, it is looking like I will be cutting the tacks installed by me on the new trunk extension loose and readjusting everything...I am not looking forward to this, because I have put some tacks in the wrong place (re cutting spot welds and grinding)....and so it goes, the pleasures of a 1st timer doing 1/4 panel body work. I am laughing to keep from crying.... For the picture hounds out there here are a few pictures:

 

[Crumley]

Well I have cut the trunk completely extension loose...did a little trimming a the B pillar on the 1/4 panel and where it meets the bottom corner of the rear window.

I have run into a bit of an issue with the trunk extension, the rear of the outer fender well and the 1/4 panel. The forward angle on the trunk extension and rear angle on the outer fender well do not match. So I have loosely installed the outer fender well, have gotten the 1/4 panel to fit correctly and completely removed the trunk extension. Now things are beginning to fit more correct. I have cut the trunk extension in half, to try and get the angles correct....it is being a bit of a pain. I may need to cut the trunk extension yet again and add a filler piece to get the area to line up correctly.

The 1/4 panel fits great, the door gaps are correct and the body lines are correct. I will need to get the rotary file out and enlarge the openings for the door striker bolt holes. See attached pictures.

 

[Crumley]

Well, Halloween is now out of the way...we had a good time at a party at our house...back to work on the 64. I have continued putting the 1/4 panel on and off at least 100 times..lol. But I think everything is now correct. Previously I got to happy with the cutting wheel and cut to much metal off of the inner fender well, so I had to make some patch panels.

All patch's made and welded in.



Now it is on to punching holes in the 1/4 panel to get it tacked into place.

I have a question, do they make a metal to metal epoxy that comes in a small syringe type tube? I really don't want to buy a double cartridge tube of epoxy and the application gun ($$$$$) to install what little epoxy that will be needed to epoxy the 1/4 panel at the B pillar. I think that epoxy would be better than tack welding the panel at the passenger window, epoxying this area it will keep it from warping the 1/4 panel at the back passenger side window.

 

[Coronet 14]

Very nice work

 

[Crumley]

Well I had some additional time to work on the the 64 today. I figured that while the 1/4 panel was off, it would be good time to work on the manual window. A heck of a lot easier access. The window mechanism has been soaking for about a week in the parts cleaner. Everything in is dang good shape to be 51 years old. There are no signs of cracked poly bushings. It cleaned up rather well. I have greased everything, cleaned and painted the raw metal. I also primed the inner structure and the new 1/4 panel. I will shoot some rattle can paint on the inner structure and 1/4 panel. The color will be a close approx to what the body color will be.

For the picture hounds out there:

 

[Crumley]

I had a little time today to mess with the 64. The back window mechanism has been installed and sorta adjusted. It is operating (going up and down) like it is suppose to. Seam sealer has been applied and rattle can paint has been sprayed to give the metal a little protection. I had to do a little rotary filing on the door striker bolt holes in the 1/4 panel. Hopefully now the door striker can be installed. There are a few more holes to drill in the 1/4 panel to tack thru. I didn't think it would be a good idea to install the 1/4 panel today. The seam sealer is volatile when exposed to sparks....looks like a next week project. A week should

give the seam sealer plenty of time to cure.

 

[Crumley]

A little update on the build, the right side 1/4 panel in now installed....yay. The door striker was temporarily installed to make sure the door closes properly. Now it is on to drilling out a bunch of tacks on the left side 1/4 panel. For the picture hounds out there see attached:

 

[Basket case]

sure can't tell you're a first timer. you got some mad skills and you're not wasting any time. looks great!

 

[Riverdawg]

Very nice work and thanks for the pics. [emoji106]

 

[miller]

Top notch work! Looking good!!

 

[Crumley]

Thank y'all for the compliments. This is my first time doing this much sheet metal work. What is going to be a challenge is the right and left cowl area around the glass and windshield wipers. I will be in purchasing a shrinker/Stretcher and box brake to tackle this repair. This will be a big learning curve for me.

 

[Homstead]

Looking might fine!

 

[Crumley]

Didn't get much done on the Belvedere this weekend. I have been taking care of honey do projects.. I did manage to get the paint and primer wire brushed off all the way around the left side 1/4 panel. This makes the factory tack welds more visible. I have begun the process of drilling out tack welds along the door striker area and have worked my way down to the rocker panel. I believe a little work done while you can is better than getting nothing done.....Here are a few pictures.... well I noticed that the pictures have down loaded sideways???? I have tried to edit and correct them but, I must be computer challenged. So you will need to turn your monitors 90* to look at the pictures....lol



- - - Updated - - -

Well apparently the pictures that were 90* out are to big for the forms format..I have resized them, now you won't need to tilt your head nor rotate your monitor...lol. See attached pictures..

 

[malex]

That Plymouth looks to be in a lot better shape than most of them and the work that you are doing is very good!

With my 64 when I was at your stage I also reworked the front of the wheel opening to make space for a taller tire. I run 315/60's and there wasn't adequate room. I believe that you said you were going with a 295 so you will be ok for space. If you plan on going with a taller tire that may become an issue for you.

I also installed a roll bar when I did my 64. I made the bar so that it is tucked in behind the post. I allowed just enough room for the interior panel to slide in place and the bar is neatly tucked away. However, my rear window cranks can only make a half revolution so my rear side windows stay up. Your car is a hardtop so a different situation but perhaps something to watch for if you put a bar in. A few pics on these areas mentioned.

 

[moparstuart]

coming along nicely

 

[Crumley]

moparstuart and malex thank you.

malex I read the build on your car....its awesome. Sometimes I wonder if I should have done a sedan as opposed to a hardtop, alot less chrome (to late to turn back now). Your car is spot on. I see what you are talking about the front of the rear fender well and larger tires. If I decide to go to the larger 315 size tire, I am thinking that 3 or 4 vertical cuts could be made and the area pushed back and re-welded.

I keep bouncing back and forth on putting a roll bar in the car. If I decide to installed a roll bar I will try and keep the rear windows functional.

I did manage to get out to the shop and work on the 64. Still drilling out tack welds. I have currently gotten the tacks drilled out from the door pillar around the bottom rocker panel, fender opening to the tail light. For those that like to look at pictures see attached:

 

[ckessel]

Panel adhesives were used on PT Cruisers and some others to bond the quarters to the car. Factory done. I only remember the adhesive being sold as a double tube setup with special tips on the end that does the mixing. SEM, 3M, Wurth and others make it. Got any connections at a body shop? Maybe someone has a partial amount of it they can hook you up with. It doesn't go bad in the tubes unless its old. When you used it, you tossed the mix tips after you are done as it hardens up in the tip. Make sure everything is set when you use it as you have no room for error if you have an oops moment.

 

[camtra]

Good work!!