Metal work question

[74Satellite]

How difficult would it be to remove the marker lights on a 72-74 Plymouth and put in the flush markers from say a 70-71 challenger? Or a late 60's B-body?

Could I just cut out like a 4x6 section around the marker light and weld it into my car? Then just install the marker bucket and assemblies?

 

[Cranky]

How good are you at welding on sheet metal? That's what needs to be done...welded in but yeah, what you said should work. Do you already have the 70 Challenger parts. If the 72-74 metal is similar to the way the late model E bodies are...you should be able to do it.

 

[gearheads78]

As long as the contour of the metal is similar it should work out pretty good. The trick is not keeping the metal from warping. It WILL warp. Its knowing how to get the metal back to shape after you shrink it from the welding.

 

[welder47]

Id cut it out and flange the piece your putting in so it flushes with the exterior surface, then spot weld it in, a full weld is better but spot welds dont warp and besides your whole car is spot welded together at the factory anyway. Grind the welds down and fill to make it perfect. Fairly easy job to do.

 

[74Satellite]

How good are you at welding on sheet metal? That's what needs to be done...welded in but yeah, what you said should work. Do you already have the 70 Challenger parts. If the 72-74 metal is similar to the way the late model E bodies are...you should be able to do it.

Ive got a basket case 70 challenger that I can use the metal from. Just trying to decide the best way in going about doing it.

 

[Propwash]

Gravy........Just as long as you can weld sheetmetal, like mentioned above. Russ (Welder47) has a great idea with flanging the donor pieces. That way you can shape/conform the flange on the backside and don't have to worry as much about trying to line up a butt weld and having crazy mismatch.

 

[Meep-Meep]

It's almost guaranteed you will have a potato chip when your done. One approach would be to make a few tacks here and there then hammer and dolly it into shape then go some more. Weld a little then work it straight and so on. You can also make a few weld tacks to hold it then finish off with brazing or solder. Make sure you have a good lap joint and a very clean interface.