67 Coronet 440 on the Rock

[Rockylguy]

Floor and gas tank has arrived, thanks National Moparts and AMD. It will be at least a couple of weeks before I start at the floor. In the meantime, I'll be searching threads here for some idea as to the best way to proceed and any tips that may help. I have done some panel and floor patching on other projects but replacing a complete floor section will be my first! Any tips from members would be greatly appreciated.

 

[Sixtynine_Bird]

Take your time with it don't rush it so you don't mess it up.
Take measurements on were it is supported on the frame then report them on the new floor. Mock up the floor before drilling the holes to see if your marks are correct. Then remove the floor, drill the holes and then mock it up again, and if everything fits then start welding.

If you have to cut some edges or anything else to make it fit (before taking measurements and drill the holes), once again take your time, it is way better to cut several times the extra piece of metal to make it fit than cut it in one shot and once you mock it up after cutting, see that you cut it too short...

Hope this will help. if you want here is a link to my thread where you can see how I did with my trunk floor kind of the same process. (post #14 & #15)
https://www.forbbodiesonly.com/moparforum/threads/69-bird-resto.123762/

 

[Rockylguy]

Hi....it's been awhile since I last posted. Without going into details, my busy life, and my father's passing, got in the way of work on the Coronet. That being said, I have spent the last few days getting the floor out, fixing some of the rotted places and getting ready to install the new crossmember and floor pan supports. Here are a few pictures to show the progress. I plan on spending the next couple of days enjoying the peace and tranquility of drilling, cutting, grinding, welding and the occasional beverage break!!!

 

[Rockylguy]

Another day's work complete. The new transmission crossmember is laid in place so I could check measurements and everything is good. My welding is getting better but I'm considering getting a tank of gas prior to starting on body panels!

 

[Rockylguy]

Update!!!! Floor is completed, finished cleaning welds and put a coat of Por15 on welded areas yesterday afternoon. This was a new experience for me but enjoyable and I would tackle floor installation again. That being said, it was a lot of work but the end result is what is important.

 

[Rockylguy]

More work completed, more discovered needing fixing, more fabrication, more welding, more sanding.....more, More MORE!!! And I'm enjoying it.... cutting out the bad and putting in the good! The first picture shows the metal I'm using to make patches, the roof out of a 66 Newport I scrapped. After installing the floor pan and then removing hardened undercoating or rock guard ( whatever the previous owner coated the inner wheel wells with to a depth of 1/4 inch in places) I had to patch both driver and passenger sides.

 

[Rockylguy]

Note the picture in the last post showing the patch on the driver side firewall being held by clamps and two screws. I'm using sheet metal skin bonding to bond the patch to the existing fire wall metal. I did weld in a few spots!
Looking at the front fenders, you can peal off the layers....showing two previous restorations/paint jobs on lower body. The first involved welding a small patch over the bad using "bronze" rods and gas. The second patch covered the first and was mig welded almost to the chrome line...both sides the same.
Passenger side rear wheel well (behind seat) also needed attention....not started at the quarter panel yet!

 

[Rockylguy]

Just some update pictures on repair to fenders. I had to make replacements for the rotted lower fender braces and weld them on both sides. The passenger side was rusted completely and missing but I had enough of the driver's side to get the angles and measurements.....then made the mirror image for the passenger side.....so to speak!! The fender patch took some work but I'm pleased with the result. The last couple of pictures show the passenger side prior to "Rust Removal" and where I am now....making the lower fender patch.
I just edited and uploaded the picture showing metal I attached (bonded) around the "Good" sections of the fender to aid in the fix!

 

[Rockylguy]

"Splash Guards" can be bought but why not use as much original metal as possible and spend quality time pounding and shaping.....and several hours later....done!
Maybe I'm wasting time and energy to repair things instead of spending money to buy replacements, but isn't this part of the "fun"???

 

[Rockylguy]

Another update by pictures....lots of work and I like the result! The fender from 66 Newport I scrapped came in handy again!

 

[Rockylguy]

The cornering is now better...

 

[Rockylguy]

Rear corners are good but lots of fabrication to do on rear quarters. I have removed all the factory undercoating (That was a job!!!) and have the entire floor cleaned and painted with POR 15, except for rear wheel wells. Floor pictures to follow. Working on trunk interior and starting to make the rear quarter patches from good old 66 Newport roof and fender metal.