Re: Keegan's 55 Clipper Deluxe
Posted by Keegan Chaput On 2010/2/21 23:00:32
Rocker panel #1.
Started the drivers side today with the hopes of having both sides done by the end of the week.
I was lucky enough to have the outer panels included with the purchase of the car. I'm sorry to say I don't know who made them, but they look like they will do nicely. They are a little long (better than the alternative) but other than that the fit seems good.
I started with inner panels. They're 18 gauge sheet with a broke 90 that fits up against the underside of the floor pans. I chose to make them in two pieces because it was just plain easier to fit. They are a little taller than needed, but the excess will trim easily once its all welded in.
With the inner panels temporarily in place I sized up the outer panel. The panel doesn't have a cut-out for the center door post, so I had to bend the sheet metal back a bit to go around it. You can see in the photos the panel will need to be shortened, as it sticks quite a bit past the front of the door.
Once I was happy with the fit and location, I took it down to prep the panel for welding. I dug out my handy little hole puncher and used the 5/16 die set to knock out holes on the top and bottom for plug welds. I figure every 2.5 inches should be plenty strong enough.
I want to get a couple coats of weld-through primer on the inside of the panels before I weld them in. I also plan on drilling some drain holes as well to hopefully make this a one time repair.
I was surprised by how much the look of the car changed with just the addition of the rocker panel. Sometimes you can work for days or weeks and not get that sense of accomplishment that can come from such a simple thing as hanging a single piece of steel.
Attach file:
(96.31 KB)
(113.69 KB)
(104.95 KB)
(91.01 KB)
(78.53 KB)
Started the drivers side today with the hopes of having both sides done by the end of the week.
I was lucky enough to have the outer panels included with the purchase of the car. I'm sorry to say I don't know who made them, but they look like they will do nicely. They are a little long (better than the alternative) but other than that the fit seems good.
I started with inner panels. They're 18 gauge sheet with a broke 90 that fits up against the underside of the floor pans. I chose to make them in two pieces because it was just plain easier to fit. They are a little taller than needed, but the excess will trim easily once its all welded in.
With the inner panels temporarily in place I sized up the outer panel. The panel doesn't have a cut-out for the center door post, so I had to bend the sheet metal back a bit to go around it. You can see in the photos the panel will need to be shortened, as it sticks quite a bit past the front of the door.
Once I was happy with the fit and location, I took it down to prep the panel for welding. I dug out my handy little hole puncher and used the 5/16 die set to knock out holes on the top and bottom for plug welds. I figure every 2.5 inches should be plenty strong enough.
I want to get a couple coats of weld-through primer on the inside of the panels before I weld them in. I also plan on drilling some drain holes as well to hopefully make this a one time repair.
I was surprised by how much the look of the car changed with just the addition of the rocker panel. Sometimes you can work for days or weeks and not get that sense of accomplishment that can come from such a simple thing as hanging a single piece of steel.
Attach file:
(96.31 KB)
(113.69 KB)
(104.95 KB)
(91.01 KB)
(78.53 KB)
This Post was from: https://packardinfo.com/xoops/html/modules/newbb/viewtopic.php?post_id=47888