Order of Operations?

[EngineerDoug]

Hello all,

I have finished restoring the front end of my '68 Coronet and will soon be moving to the rear of the car, where most of the rust damage is. I have the body shell on a dolly, and have replaced the torsion bar crossmember, front pans, and installed subframe connectors + torqueboxes.

The quarters, trunk floors, and rear crossmembers will be replaced, along with the tail ends of the rear frame rails. I am thinking through the order in which I should remove and then replace these major structural pieces. The rear frame rails are already supported by verticals welded to the dolly. Let me run this past you folks for your consideration:

1) Cut out old trunk floor + extensions.
2) Cut out rear crossmember.
3) Cut out frame rail ends & replace.
4) Cut out quarter panels.
5) Replace trunk floor + extensions and secure with temporary screws.
6) Replace rear crossmember and secure with temporary screws.
7) Replace quarter panels - clamp in place.
8) Once everything is fitted, weld it up.

My thought is that the rear frame rails supply much of the support for the rear of the car, so keeping them supported will provide a base upon which to build. Getting the trunk pans fitted and in place will be a lot easier before the quarters go on, so they will be fitted next. The quarters will be last, and everything that precedes them can be adjusted as needed before final welding.

Does this chain of events make sense? I know that the back end of this thing is essentially a big puzzle, and the major parts support each other. Note that I will be replacing complete quarters from the sail panel on down.

Thanks!

 

[PurpleBeeper]

In my opinion, your order of operations is dead-on.

 

[Mike67]

Never had to do that much but have read several post here of others doing so, specifically the trunk pan. If you have a 1 pc pan the only way to get it in is by removing the rear tail panel, which sounds like youve taken into account.
Good luck and document each step with pics and share!

 

[EngineerDoug]

Roger that - thanks.

 

[1967coronet]

Think of it as building a house, frame is first then on you go, your list looks pretty good. One thing is to never fit your qt without the door and trunk lid on the car and adjusted.
once the qt is fit you can make a couple tack welds here and there then pull them { doors & lid} back off.

 

[moper]

I'll just add - take a bunch of very accurate measurements before anything gets cut away. You want it back, and in the same spot. Don't finish weld anything until the measurements are the same, and don't forget to trial fit the trunk lid...

 

[ckessel]

Unless you are an engineer working for, say CALTRANS. Then it would all be backwards starting with the paint being done first, then end it with rust repairs. Kind of like how they pave roads and do the underground AFTER the fresh road is in. Yup, your list is sano!