I'm fixing to take on a 69 camaro project that has had several attempts at being restored by my cousin. My question is the original dash was rusted and replaced with what I believe is oem metal, but instead of butt welding the piece in they overlapped it about 1/2 inch or so. Should I just by a replacement dash and start over....??

has anyone gone through this process before....?

on 67-8 the upper metal dash panel is overlaped by the factory.... not sure about 69 but probably similar.......
on my site is a 67 convert I am doing the dash on rt now

i had mine done last year.

the way it was (properly)done.
they laid the new upper dash on top of the old one.
they scribed lines where the new one ended on the old one.
then they cut the old upper dash panel out with a cutoff wheel.(on the scribed lines)
(youll need to support the lower section of dash while cutting at this point)
they then attached metal tabs on the lower panel at the cut points. (welded them in)
then placed new upper dash on resting on those tabs.
they then welded the upper dash to the tabs then welded the seam between the upper and lower dash.
after grinding and primer and paint you could not tell there was a repair to the dash AT ALL!:)

thanks