[Shandara]

Well my little project just grew a bit, should have known it was coming. At any rate stripped the interior out and removed the miscellaneous tin junk that was patched into the floor by tar, rivets and spot welds. In all fairness the guy did hide things better than I gave him credit for(previous owner). With newer interior carpet and plenty of undercoating I thought I had a orange sized hole behind the drivers seat and a a hole about softball size behind the passenger seat when I bought it. So for the picture junkies here's what I found.

As found under the carpet plenty of patches.






The only attempt at welding by previous owner, only spot welds every 11/2"



All the misc junk




OK on to my dilemma, having found this much rust and unfortunately its into the toe boards and under the rear seat as well. I'm thinking I'll have to sell the floor pans I bought and buy a full floor (was leaning that way already) So being as I already have a full trunk pan replacement is the there any thing else in the region under the rear seats I should be looking at before ordering? I do have the inner and outer wheel housings, trunk drops, glass-lite filler panel(glass to trunk) and the taillight panel and inner valance repair panel. and although I do see a little rust on the inner rockers it does not look like its eaten though, I'm wondering because I'm on the fence if I do order them is it easier to replace the floor or rocker 1st? and what process do those of you that have been here suggest for order of replacing things? Here's a couple of shot of the outer rockers I would appreciate feed back from anyone that's been here before me .







And yes that is snow she had to sit outside covered for a few days while I made use of some of my woodworking tools to build a custom oak staircase. Sorry this is a little long winded but my supplier is a 12 hour drive away and I would like to cover my bases and figure this out before ordering and driving down there, so I'm not selling new parts at whole sale costs again , while I adjust my plan of attack. Thanks in advance for any advice you can offer.

[fordpowerjoke]

I think the complete floor is definitely in order. The pics don't show any significant signs of rocker damage, but I would almost bet once you get into tear down you may find yourself doing rockers. I didn't have to do the floor or rockers since mine was rusted almost all in the rear of the car. I am sure "master blaster" Todd will chime in hear soon and give you some very creditable advice on the order for the plan of attack. If you listen to him closely there is alot to learn from his trial and errors. Tons of great advice on here and make sure you use us for any advice needed. Good luck! Misery loves company! Jeff

[Clean Cut Creations]

Looks to me like the same skip-welding bandit that patched your floors also did the same with some replacement rockers. At least it looks that way in the last 2 pics.

This tends to happen when you pull a loose string on the metal sweater your car is made of. It starts to completely unravel. Now you have to deal with the sloppy repairs of the P.O......

[67speedfreak]

Good call, does look like rocker skins were added.

[Shandara]

It would not be terribly surprising to find that the outer rockers have been replaced in the recent past. The car actually looked fairly solid when I viewed it originally. It has new fenders, the steel cowl hood is solid and the same for all the front end sheet metal. Rear quarters looked good and could find very little evidence of body filler, however there is a small difference between left and right rear wheel well that has me wondering if one of the quarters was replaced (at molding height the left wheel opening front to back edge is 1" more than the left one). That aside it is a 40 year old car and a father son project and I have enough experience and the tools plus the drive to rip it apart and bring her back from certain slow death by the ever persistent rust. My biggest concerns are:

1. Trying to save myself some extra down time and delays by poking into and hidden areas as suggested before ordering parts again and making the long haul down to Hot Rods & Classics in Chilliwack BC.
2. Try and put together a good solid order of attack as per recommendations from those brave soles that have been here and done it already.
3. Try to stay one step ahead of any possible pitfalls that could derail the general plan (IE. any bracing issues or alignment issues that might bite me in the rear later if not looked after up front).

And I really do appreciate any feed back and suggestions from the talented people that I have seen here on this site. I found the site though Terry's build thread and since then have registered and started following several of the builds (Todd's, Stephen's, Chris's and several others closely as well as just generally searching the site and reading the new posts almost daily). So with that said I'll give you a little more info in case it helps with any thoughts. I bought the car for my son and myself to rebuild from ground up.
I do have a Millermatic 180 in the shop and do know how to use it. the general plan was to have a solid fun cruiser with updated suspension and brakes keep a clean classic body appearance (cowl hood and rear spoiler stay I will be adding a front spoiler). I plan to rebuild a 350 I have sitting in one of my CJ7 projects its a 3970010 block out of a 72 vette 4 bolt (would ultimately like to have between 425-475hp at the flywheel). and keep the 5 speed that is behind it now. The interior I'm a little undecided on I like the original look but also like my creature comforts and have had thoughts of updating it to 4th gen stuff ( gauges and controls will be updated with after market products). I like the rally rims but would like 17's so they are probably going.

Right now where we are at, is my son and myself have stripped out the bad patch work found more rust than would like and could use thoughts on what I should be poking at to ensure I cover my bases before ordering more sheet metal. Additionally being as I'm probably 3-4 weeks away from going down to get the stuff would like to keep her more or less solid enough I don't have issues with the body sagging or other damage because of what I remove or pull apart in the in term. And I have been taking a ton of photos as I go, documenting locations and measurements etcetera of the disassembly and recoding anything I can think of, that I might want to reference when putting her back together.

[6781camaro]

Kevin

Hi and welcome aboard with your new build. I just read through the thread and get the feeling of dejavu here. Nice looking car, but what really lurks beneath the smoke and mirrors (like I had on mine). Yours appears to be in much nicer condition to start with though for sure (I mean fo shizzle--for you Jeff...)--inside joke.... Anyway, I would first remove as much as possible to expose the most common areas for rot, then make a judgement on what to replace and order. Whatever you do, make one big order of sheet metal, not several small ones like I did. I was impatient and excited to finally start my build after waiting since 1996, and ordered what I needed as I discovered it. Lots of moolah spent in shipping for no reason. Make a list as you go along.

Those original outer rockers are most likely still in there and are toasted since he quickly tacked on some outer skins I see. That's what happened with mine too. I even had two sets of rear quarters on my car! So, dig dig dig until you are satisfied with the condition of the metal, then order away. We are all here to help so ask away... We've all probably been there recently on our cars... Have fun!

[prostreet69camaro]

You are going to replace the floorboards and the rocker panels? So you will probably repaint the car also? I would take the car apart. Remove all trim moldings and glass. Have the car media blasted. This will show how bad the body really is and if there is any shoddy body work below the paint. If there are any panels that need replacement you will be able to see and make a big order for the parts.

Not saying the body is bad but look at how the previous owner did the work on the car and there might be more hidden.

The car that I am doing for a friend he has had for 28 years. I remember back when he had a friend doing the body work 25 years ago. He finally had the money to restore it and sent it to my house and I looked at it and said hey not bad. Well we media blasted it and I had forgotten all the repairs on the car. Needless to say both quarters, dash, back window valance, wheel tubs, outer trunk extensions, pass. fender were replaced.

[Shandara]

corrected

[Shandara]

The media blasting idea has been one I'm on the fence about for a while now would love to have it done but there are a few location issues involved. Up in this part of the world (don't read this wrong I love BC crystal clear streams and rivers, snow capped mountains, wicked fishing, quading, sledding etc etc etc.) media blasting is pretty much limited to sand blasting fine for a frame or heavier iron but not so much for sheet metal. I do have a line on a good media blasting shop in the lower mainland but that is 13 hours away in a part of the world that gets more than its share of rain. So thinking I'm either investing in the equipment and doing it myself or having to haul it down have it done then try to figure out how to protect it on the trip home to my shop. Keeping in mind my trailer is not of the enclosed variety. As per my original post I do have a lot of tin already and I'm seriously thinking of ordering the following.

new full floor (does this meet up to my new full trunk pan?)
inner rockers
ouer rockers
toe boards
inner lower rear quarter repair panels
frame rails
possibly quarters depending upon shape once stripped

would rather she was solid and took time to get her done than have issues down the road. And my son as good a kid as he is, although he ultimately will own the car, does not have the same amount of drive and mech aptitude as my self at the moment (hes 12 and just getting around to girls, but I'm hoping this project will rub off on him) so would like to ensure he does not have to revisit a in depth restore anywhere in the next 10-12 years to allow him to grow into his own with out the pressure of a major project.

Todd I have been following your thread as well nice work btw, and I thought I may have had a better starter but you know how these things work out on a 40 year old car lol







Mike you are correct the intent is to totally strip it and repaint it, a little undecided on color atm between a blue I like and cortez silver with black stripes.

[6781camaro]

Kevin

Do I ever.... My car was running and driving, but not in nearly as nice condition as your looks in the photos. That is awesome looking! Maybe take it slow, and really scrutinize what you can patch vs. replace. Your Camaro looks pretty solid and clean from the photos... One of my favorite color combos too. I was considering Cortez Silver for mine, but I think I am still leaning towards the original Frost Green. (code 59 for '69)

Really nice car though! I didn't picture it like that from the earlier posts. (maybe just enjoy it for a while as-is?) I should have done that with mine.

[Shandara]

Thanks Todd,

I have had her for a year now we did some minor engine work when we got her, new carb, msd elect dist to replace the points system etc. but she still has engine issues and being as the floors needed doing, wanted to get right in there and clean up all the issues. The body did look super straight and clean other than some blistering on the glass-lite to trunk filler panel and some surface rust down low on the bottom edges. The engine issue is enough of a pain to make not worth driving atm so we are going to go through my 350 and 5spd in the CJ and replace the 350 and powerglide in the car (rather be rowing the gears anyways) and every young lad should at least know how to drive a standard. We did get to put a few mile on her last year which was kinda cool.

I can see what you mean by "tacking out skins over the rocker" I had not actually looked them over quite that close before you said that (other issues more pressing). But that would explain some of the door to quarter and fender alignment problems that where evident although not so far gone as to make me second guess the purchase. All things done and said shes a fair starter, body was good, interior in fair to good shape (except headline but the guy had a brand new one in box came with the car), the missing upper grill trim he had as well brand new GM part plus new tach, car cover and a few other goodies. I still need to track down the upper windshield molding. I knew I was getting into a project, was what I wanted for me and the boy, now I'm just trying to plan a course of attack to cover all bases.

[prostreet69camaro]

Kevin,

Instead of media blasting you can also strip it with aircraft stripper. More labor for you and a little bit more of a mess. But you can do it at your house / shop. You can also DA it with 40 grit DA paper but more labor and electricity. I would do one of these instead of traveling 12 hours to get it done.

[6781camaro]

Originally Posted by Shandara

Thanks Todd,

I have had her for a year now we did some minor engine work when we got her, new carb, msd elect dist to replace the points system etc. but she still has engine issues and being as the floors needed doing, wanted to get right in there and clean up all the issues. The body did look super straight and clean other than some blistering on the glass-lite to trunk filler panel and some surface rust down low on the bottom edges. The engine issue is enough of a pain to make not worth driving atm so we are going to go through my 350 and 5spd in the CJ and replace the 350 and powerglide in the car (rather be rowing the gears anyways) and every young lad should at least know how to drive a standard. We did get to put a few mile on her last year which was kinda cool.

I can see what you mean by "tacking out skins over the rocker" I had not actually looked them over quite that close before you said that (other issues more pressing). But that would explain some of the door to quarter and fender alignment problems that where evident although not so far gone as to make me second guess the purchase. All things done and said shes a fair starter, body was good, interior in fair to good shape (except headline but the guy had a brand new one in box came with the car), the missing upper grill trim he had as well brand new GM part plus new tach, car cover and a few other goodies. I still need to track down the upper windshield molding. I knew I was getting into a project, was what I wanted for me and the boy, now I'm just trying to plan a course of attack to cover all bases.

I would say that it is a beautiful foundation to start with. More of a "finisher" in my opinion than a starter. I think you will be quite pleased with it in the end. My son is 10 yrs old, and just doesn't seem to have the patience right now to hang out and learn on it with me. I tried many times and offered, but he just slips away to his friends. Enjoy the build. Can't wait to see her done.

[Shandara]

Originally Posted by 6781camaro

I would say that it is a beautiful foundation to start with. More of a "finisher" in my opinion than a starter. I think you will be quite pleased with it in the end. My son is 10 yrs old, and just doesn't seem to have the patience right now to hang out and learn on it with me. I tried many times and offered, but he just slips away to his friends. Enjoy the build. Can't wait to see her done.

LOL I know the feeling had to use a little psychology my youngest to motivate him, told him which ever of the three of them (2 boys and a girl) did the most work with me on it would ultimately get the camaro. They also have to show me they will act responsibly and that they can look after it properly.

Oh I got to say I like your little helper that slithered in the other day now you just got to teach him to retrieve your dropped bolts, sockets, etc.

[6781camaro]

Originally Posted by Shandara

LOL I know the feeling had to use a little psychology my youngest to motivate him, told him which ever of the three of them (2 boys and a girl) did the most work with me on it would ultimately get the camaro. They also have to show me they will act responsibly and that they can look after it properly.

Oh I got to say I like your little helper that slithered in the other day now you just got to teach him to retrieve your dropped bolts, sockets, etc.

Funny.... That's kind of the same psychology I use with my wife. I tell her that for every time I hear her complain that I'm in the garage, it postpones her first drive in my '69 Camaro. Works like charm!

To me, the only snake that's worth keeping is a toilet snake. Lol!