I purchased a repro header panel for my 68 Camaro because the old one was dented. It seems like over time they get dented from leaning on them when working on the engine. I was wondering if it would be a good idea or not to put a layer of body filler on the underside of the new panel to keep it from denting or oilcanning. Does this sound like a good idea? Any thoughts would be appreciated.
Thanks,

I doubt it would provide any significant strength. In fact it would be prone to pop off due to the pressure from the other side. Use a thick fender pad when working under the hood!

Probably too late now, but I would always try to use the GM stuff. I'd prefer a 'dented' then fixed header panel over a brand new repro.

There are companies that do spray welding, and could build up the back side, but it's costly. I'd find a nice used one on Ebay or Hemmings

I went with a used header. My original was too rough. I'd steer away from using repop for body panels. Repops are too thin and tough to fit.

eBay has them all the time if you don't mind doing some sanding and maybe rust repair.

header panels almost never rust , they just get dented like you said , repo 1/4's and door skin's are used all the time with good luck and because (NOTHING ELSE EXIST'S) but on the header panel just fix your old one ,,, :D

I am glad they make repo part's but I will use old GM junk whenever possible

Maybe in Kentucky they don't rust. ;)
I've got one that's rotted thru in both front corners.

On the subject of header panels... mine got tweaked a lil do to a "foot slipping off the clutch at a stop sign incident" It looks great, but the point is about an 1/8" to the rear of where it should be. Not enough for the hood to hit it, just enough to narrow the panel gap in the center. I was planning on replacing it with repro, could it be saved?

Anything's possible Jim! graemlins/thumbsup.gif
If you're patient and gentle, try putting your knee in the center and pulling the two wings towards you.... SLOW. Or center it around a pole and do the same thing to save your knee. ;)

I'd think that the two fenders might be pushed back or in slightly at their header mounting points also. Something to check for at least.

makes me wish I'd tried straightening it while the car was together... bumper was in an inch, just hitched it to the truck and gave it a lil pull, good as new now. Don't know how I'll get any leverage on the thing without it just folding up on me... but I'll try it

Keep it flat on the floor and wrap a towel around a pole, like in your basement. See if you can hang onto each end and massage them back a 1/16" or so each. Maybe it didn't even get bent inwards, and it's just the 4 mounting holes that got tweaked.
Or does it look physically pushed in?

No, it's physsically pushed in... only in the center. a tiny dimple on the point at the front, easily fillable. The hood to header gap is perfect at each end (1/4") but only a 1/8" gap in the center. Bumper was pushed in too but thats fixed. Lower valence is pretty trashed,so is the verticle support behind it.

I sure did feel silly... was rolling up to a stop sign, with a pizza on the pass seat, pizza started to fall, and when I reached over to catch it, my foot slipped off the clutch...lol was some sorta foriegn car ahead of me, but we won't go there!

You dented your Camaro on a foreign car!?!?! :eek:
You must have caved the entire rear half of his car in man!! I'll bet there were plastic and glass parts flying around for a whole city block!! Did they need neck braces and physical therapy afterwards? ;)

rotflmfao!

Believe it or not, just scratched his bumper. AND IT WASN'T DENTED... well maybe just a little bit....