Body replacement order. [Archive] - Team Camaro Tech

: Body replacement order.


dragon0123
Sep 11th, 05, 02:15 AM
These are the pieces ill be needing to replace.. In which order should I be replacing these pieces.?? Ive never replaced any panels such as these so any help is appreciated..

full Firewall section.
Full Floor
Full trunk floor
rear inner wheelwells
rear outer wheelwells
full quarters.
Roof from donor car.


Thanks

Toby Keen
Sep 11th, 05, 06:05 AM
The best advice I can give you is don't cut anything until you have the replacement parts in hand. As for assembly, I would do the cowl panel and floor panels first. The roof, wheelhouses and 1/4 panels are going to be an all at once operation, for the most part. It's a pain but you MUST trial fit everything first. Screw the parts together to make sure they fit properly. Measure everything at least twice, dis-assemble and then do it all over again. Weld the holes up when you weld the panels in place. Make sure your doors and windows fit perfectly at every step of the operation.
This is obviously a major overhaul you are undertaking and is not for the faint of heart, but it is doable. Don't get in a hurry and be meticulous. You could also buy and study body assembly books. The First Gen Camaro assembly book in particular. Get a good mig welder and practice weld on some old sheet metal, also.
If you know an ace body man, getting him to guide you through will be a big help. If you don't know one. consider hiring one, who comes highly recommended, to stop by once a week or so to lend advice. It will be money well spent in the long run.

dragon0123
Sep 12th, 05, 09:21 AM
Are there any good web sites that detail cutting out a panel and welding it back in? Pics help..

dragon0123
Sep 12th, 05, 09:30 AM
I was figuring on working on the front firewall and work my way back. Along the floor. going to the trunk, then the wells and quarters and finaly the roof.

The frame is currently off the car, should it be on? does it matter,? im thinking in terms of lining up subframebody mount holes.

dragon0123
Sep 12th, 05, 12:47 PM
OH boy Ive got way too many questions for this.. Also... for those of you that have done a full floor replacement.. Am I going to have problems with the body flexing when I take this whole floor out.?? A freind of mine said that I may want to weld the doors closed to prevent that?? any truth to that..??

67CruiseMasterCamaro
Sep 12th, 05, 12:52 PM
I would suggest using this order:

Lower cowl
Upper cowl
Floor
Trunk
Wheelhouses
Quarters and tail pan

Please note the the last part is installing the rear clip. If it were me, I would do the trunk before I removed anything else (quarters, wheelhouses). The trunk pan is surrounded by everything else and is a great starting point to align everything. To do the trunk pan, you will have to remove the tail panel. Others might disagree, but this is the way that many of us have found to do it. If you click the link on my sig, there are alot of pics for reference. 67LSRS has alot of pics on his web pages too. Shoddy, has done a convert and his pics are handy also. There are many more, but this will get you started. One point though, remove the front subframe and rear axle. It will be alot easier to replace that sheetmetal. If you have questions, just ask. We are always willing to give advice such as this. Good luck.
I was figuring on working on the front firewall and work my way back. Along the floor. going to the trunk, then the wells and quarters and finaly the roof.

The frame is currently off the car, should it be on? does it matter,? im thinking in terms of lining up subframebody mount holes.