[gizmoSS]

I just bought NOS quarters for my '70...I'd like to hear from anyone who's installed them before. I intend to install them myself, and have, or have access to, O/Ac and MIG welders and am reasonably competent with them. However, since the panels were originally installed with spot welds, I'd like to go that route. Does anyone have any experience with spot weld guns similar to Eastwood's catalog #19089, which attaches to a stick welder?

Scott
gizmoss@erols.com

[Dave Birdwell]

Don't do it! Use a mig welder, preferably one with .023" wire. Drill 1/4 inch holes in the new panel and plug weld them. Take a good look at the locations of the welds, and match them on the new panel. Use a spot weld drill bit to cut out the old welds. Be sure to only drill through one panel. Grind away all the paint and seam sealer.

[elcamino72]

Dave is correct. Take your time, it will take you a while and it will take some patcience. You should be pleased w/ the result when you realize how much money you saved.

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Bryan Shook
Burgettstown, Pa
Favorite Quote - Some people have shrinks. Some people have their garage.
www.geocities.com/motorcity/speedway/6673

[Austin]

I agree with Dave although the correct size to drill for spot a spot weld is 5/16 (slightly larger than 1/4) This size weld is the size that will meet I-CAR welding strength and durability testing. They (I-CAR) say that 1/4 usually fail the test.

[Dave Birdwell]

True, 5/16 is the I-CAR recommended size, but on the older cars I have never had a problem using 1/4 inch holes. Plus, I use Fusor in alot of places, inside the trunk w/s channel, in the outer w/h to 1/4 seam, and where the roof drip rail is on the '70-72 Chevelles.
Good penetration is the key to any weld. You'll be able to see it on the back side of the panels. If you weld alot, you'll know what you see.

[CHRIS SILVA]

Hi there Hopefully the qtrs. you are cutting off are not damaged and except for rust in good shape if so find every factory weld will include spot,plug,and brazing. Drill starting with a 1/8 inch drill bit then going to a 1/4 inch drill bit or on some cut them out useing heat to remove the brass at the top of the qtrs. Then fit the new panel to the car, starting at the door and ending at the trunk lid being sure to fit everything incuding the tailight and bumper.Take your time,be sure to clean off all the old welds
when you are happy with the fit, grind both of the sufaces CLEAN then spray with weld thru primer this will prevent rust from starting.some people complain about this saying it makes welding difficult, thats true at first but once you get use to it you will never do without, especialy you realize this stuff works, it stops rust from starting on those new panels you have just installed.When the primer is dry use self tapping sheetmetal screws with 1/4 inch heads to hold the panel in place this lets you see what its going to look like and try all the parts on.If you can find a body shop with a pro spot welder, any certified toyota shop will have one. That way you can match the original factory welds,be sure before removal to make note of original welds, how many,what type , how far apart they are all this makes a difference between a qtr. thats obviously benn replaced and one that looks factory. Also don't worry about showing up at a body shop with qtrs ready to weld, if preped right they shuld be happy to do it.
Once its back to you with a little grinding and a small amount of bodywork, you will be ready for primer then seam sealing.Don't forget to look at all of it before starting you will want to duplicate it, including seam sealer Good luck.