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'69 Coupe Ground-Up / Rotisserie Resto " Now's the Time! "

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Discussion starter · #41 ·
Re: '69 Coupe Ground-Up / Rotisserie Resto " Now's the Time! "

cheby2 said:
Dang , got beat to the punch , again ! I was going to post some snide remark about the creature in your garage , but Steve beat me to it ! Must be getting old , now I'm -2 on the snide remark-o-meter !

Guys , that is a great idea on the wooden body cart , when you get through with it , you can morph it into a rolling shop table or something .:thumbsup: On the frame rails , if you are going to replace the trunk floor , I would look into just replacing the entire rail , but if you aren't . just replacing the rear section might be more attractive . There are so many build threads on here now , I can't remember what all you are replacing !LOL !

Keep up the good fight
Terry
Click to expand...
Terry

Thanks for the kudos on the cart. I could have welded one up, but I thought since storage is an issue for me, a wooden cart could easily be dismantled or "morphed" into something else for the future. I ended up changing my plans on it and making it wider so I can pass the 1-pc floor through the front opening in-between the car and the main lower frame of the cart. More pics to post later today! Stay tuned....
 
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Discussion starter · #42 ·
Re: '69 Coupe Ground-Up / Rotisserie Resto " Now's the Time! "

OH,, and unless someone on here has a SUPER CLEAN pair of used frame rails, I think new one are the right choice for me.

Here's the laundry list again, just as a reminder as to how big/deep this build is:

  1. Full rear quarters
  2. full trunk pan w.braces
  3. spare tire hold down bracket (GM NOS)
  4. inner tail panel
  5. outer tail panel (GM NOS)
  6. trunk drop-offs
  7. trunk weatherstrip gutter kit
  8. gas tank mounting straps
  9. under trunk support braces (GM NOS)
  10. inner wheel wells
  11. outer wheel wells (GM NOS)
  12. inner rear quarter panel walls
  13. rear filler panel
  14. fold-down seat hinge brackets
  15. One-piece floor pan
  16. front toe boards (L+R)
  17. inner rocker panels w/braces
  18. outer rocker panels
  19. Upper dash panel (GM NOS)
  20. radiator core support (GM NOS)
  21. Cowl tulip complete boxes L+R
  22. All 4 door hinges (GM NOS)
  23. AND NOW....both rear frame rails!!!!:eek::eek::eek::yes::yes::yes: (my split feelings)
 
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#43 ·
Re: '69 Coupe Ground-Up / Rotisserie Resto " Now's the Time! "

By the way....I have put the floor pan in my camaro both ways, thru the windshield, and from underneath. It is much easier to slide in from underneath. Your project looks like a lot of fun. Good luck with it.
 
Discussion starter · #44 ·
Re: '69 Coupe Ground-Up / Rotisserie Resto " Now's the Time! "

5speed502 said:
By the way....I have put the floor pan in my camaro both ways, thru the windshield, and from underneath. It is much easier to slide in from underneath. Your project looks like a lot of fun. Good luck with it.
Click to expand...
John

Hi, glad you are enjoying the thread so far. I have long journey ahead of me but am bound and determined to complete it the right way...

As I am finding new damages from rust, I am deciding to replace the whole panel instead of patching it up. *Thanks for the tips on installing the 1-piece floor board. I did measure the clearance inside the car, but you know how that goes. Without the piece in your hand, there always remains some doubt as to if it will work or not--especially with all of the contours the floor has. Good to know though! I already planned on sliding in the floor from the rear of the car actually. Since the front supports should be under the subframe bolt holes, and they measure approx 40 inches apart, there's no way a full floor can pass through that since it measures 47" wide. So what I am now planning is either passing it through the windshield or just building the mid and rear-most support stantions at a width of 48" apart from each other and having them simply bolt to the outside of the body cart frame. I have 6" x 3/8" lag bolts that will hold those onto the cart frame. That way it will allow me to pass the full floor through that opening at the rear end of the body cart. * You know what they say...."There's more than one way to skin a cat" LOL! --Terry and Tim should get a kick out of that one.l:)
 
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Discussion starter · #45 · (Edited)
Re: '69 Coupe Ground-Up / Rotisserie Resto " Now's the Time! "

Well guys, with the way this morning turned out (water main emergency repair and major computer crash!) and the threat of these Tornados / rain we've had down here, nothing was done today, so far, except for cart mods and thinking. *I am also in the middle of placing an order for my new rear frame rails and front eye leaf spring hardware that I need to replace. I already have a new set of shackles, bushings and cushions ready to go. Oh! and I found a new driver side shock tower patch panel in my collection--how convenient...! That is the good news for the day. ---I am currently using my wife's laptop to do this update, so no access to my computer's hard drive for pics....

To explain this morning....:pout:My son and his friend were simply having a catch in my next door neighbor's front yard, when his friend missed one of my son's throws. Not so bad, right? Well it wouldn't have been a big deal if the ball didn't knock into the cheap thin-walled pvc waterline riser--(coming from the main valve) that feeds their sprinkler system and house! :eek: My son ran into the garage and told me the great news, and I just remained as calm as possible and shut off the main immediately before we had a public swimming pool on our property! So, to make a long story short... I had to buy a pair of couplers, a main knife switch, 5 foot of 1" pvc, some pvc glue, and eat a healthy piece of cheesecake to relieve my tension!--thank goodness for Thanksgiving leftovers! It took me about 2 hours to repair it since I like to wait for the glue to set before releasing all that pressure on it, and now it's fine...finally. My son is footing the bill of $27 for the materials since he threw the ball. I am proud of him for owning up to this. I also called the owners of the NEW home to let them know that everything was taken care of. (an elderly couple getting ready to retire bought this new house next door) I miss the empty lot and privacy but hey... it'll be nice to have new neighbors.

As for the new cart mods--- Originally I planned on passing the new 1-piece floor through the front opening in the body cart, but since the front cart supports need to be under the forward subframe mounting holes, I needed to change things. I am now making the front two verticals of the body cart so that they line up vertically with the two subframe perches at approx 44 inches wide overall. (using 4x4's as the verticals and a 44" wide 4x4 sitting across them). The two supports at the front ends of the rear frame rails will now mount to the outside perimeter of the body cart and meaure 55 inches wide (outside to outside--also using 4x4's for the verticals and a 55" 4x4 sitting across them.) The verticals will be bolted into the side rails of the body cart at three points on each, in a triangle to gain stability and strength. I will also use 90* angle irons to further support these verticals.(at the mid supports and the rear-most supports as well) Having the two rear-most supporting points of the body cart positioned under the front end of the rear frame rail and also positioned under the middle of the horizontal section of the rear frame rail. I positioned the casters so that they directly support these mounting posts. Now with these width-expanding mods to the cart, I can easily pass the 1-piece floor through the rear opening of the cart. Since I will be using 6" angle braces on each of the rear supports, there will be plenty of clearance to accomplish this feat.

If the rain lets up, you know where I'll be, but until then, I cannot move anything out of my garage since it is raining. Ho hum...:sad:

Will post more pics as it happens!
 
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Discussion starter · #46 ·
Re: '69 Coupe Ground-Up / Rotisserie Resto " Now's the Time! "

Well, today was just one of those days...no progress and bad weather. I guess it could always be worse though. At least I have a Camaro to work on and I got to spend some time with my son today. :) See you guys next weekend. I will check in during the week to keep in touch with your restos.


***At least I can look forward to getting my 1-piece floor, inner rocker panels, cowl tulip boxes, seat track mounting frames, and trunk gutter set delivered this week! Can't wait....:hurray: Hmmmm. ...where am I going to store those?:confused:

Oh, can anyone use a pair of these Brand new Electric life model # GM89-K front power window regulators and motors? I will not be using them and was going to list them for sale. I ended up finding a stock pair instead of buying them. These are faster and quieter than the factory regs and motors, but not cosmetically the same. --They do use the factory holes though, so no drilling or mods to your doors. I paid $300, but the price will be sweet... PM me if interested...

Image
 
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Discussion starter · #47 ·
Re: '69 Coupe Ground-Up / Rotisserie Resto " Now's the Time! "

Just a quick question to throw out there:

When I install my rear quarter panel inner walls (where the window regulators mount), I will have to remove these quarter panel jamb structures. Aside from just taking measurements, is it obvious where it gets rewelded to on the new panels? I don't want to screw up my doors and their alignment by removing them. I am also a little concerned about the condition of the pass side unit. I don't think these are repro'd. Any tips welcome...


Image



Image


Image


Image
 
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#48 ·
Re: '69 Coupe Ground-Up / Rotisserie Resto " Now's the Time! "

Todd, make sure you measure carefully on these pieces. They literally can act as a placemarker for the new quarters. You are right to be concerned about moving them around. Measure,measure measure!:yes: I'd measure from the outer wheelhouse to the support,and also from the inner structure to the support for a frame of reference. The new quarters will be spot welded to these in the jamb area,but again, if you slide it these too far forward or back, it could, in fact alter the door gap. Also, you are correct in that these pieces are not reproduced, unless you go with one of these babies:

Image


:eek:
 
Discussion starter · #49 ·
Re: '69 Coupe Ground-Up / Rotisserie Resto " Now's the Time! "

BelAirBob said:
Todd, make sure you measure carefully on these pieces. They literally can act as a placemarker for the new quarters. You are right to be concerned about moving them around. Measure,measure measure!:yes: I'd measure from the outer wheelhouse to the support,and also from the inner structure to the support for a frame of reference. The new quarters will be spot welded to these in the jamb area,but again, if you slide it these too far forward or back, it could, in fact alter the door gap. Also, you are correct in that these pieces are not reproduced, unless you go with one of these babies:

Image


:eek:
Click to expand...

Bob,

Thanks for the advice on these. I will take as many measurements and photos as possible before removing them.

That unit that you are showing in the photo is awesome! I had no idea they repro that. Fortunately, my roof rails, roof, doors, and A pillars are nice and clean. Even the rear sail panels are excellent too. (that's about it though) LOL!
 
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#50 ·
Re: '69 Coupe Ground-Up / Rotisserie Resto " Now's the Time! "

Todd , I think I would try to fab up some sort of jig that would span from maybe the wheelwell in the rear to the front door jamb area , and possibly have a vertical piece that butted against the rocker and drip rail from the outside . It would have to be a one-off ,made to fit type of thing , but I think it would work . Kind of like what I did when I did the Guldstrand mod on my subframe in my thread .

Terry
 
Discussion starter · #51 ·
Re: '69 Coupe Ground-Up / Rotisserie Resto " Now's the Time! "

cheby2 said:
Todd , I think I would try to fab up some sort of jig that would span from maybe the wheelwell in the rear to the front door jamb area , and possibly have a vertical piece that butted against the rocker and drip rail from the outside . It would have to be a one-off ,made to fit type of thing , but I think it would work . Kind of like what I did when I did the Guldstrand mod on my subframe in my thread .

Terry
Click to expand...
Terry,

Are you referring to the quarter jamb supports that are shown in the photo on my car, or the huge assemblies that Bob posted in his pics?

I am only removing the quarter jamb supports that sit behind the door jamb. I planned on getting some 1x1" square stock to brace from rear quarter to quarter for the width, door jamb to door jamb(front to rear direction) on both sides, and then a lateral brace spanning across the kickpanel areas as well. So basically I will be forming a square of 1x1" stock inside the interior walls. Would that be enough to do the trick? I just have to strategically locate them so that I can still weld in the rear inner quarter panel lower wall sections, the full one-piece floor, and the inner rockers. Whew! what have I gotten myself into?:confused: LOL!
Thanks!
 
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#53 ·
Re: '69 Coupe Ground-Up / Rotisserie Resto " Now's the Time! "

Todd, It is looking good! I think that you are right (as are all the other guys) about replacing that quarter support. You have the right idea... Good job so far and keep it up!

btw, do you still have your interior installed in the car? You may want to think about removing all of that stuff so it doesn't get all of the rust and junk on it... but I guess if space is at a premium, I should shut my mouth, but definately remove when you start welding!
 
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Discussion starter · #54 ·
Re: '69 Coupe Ground-Up / Rotisserie Resto " Now's the Time! "

project 68 said:
You may be interested in this.
http://partsindustries.com/product.php?productid=158
A stamping of the inner lower rocker support by Goodmark I think.
Click to expand...

Mike,
Hi. yes, I already picked up a pair of those for the car when I ordered my full quarter panels. They are an excellent match and stamped quite well! Very simple to blend into the upper half.

Thanks for looking out...
 
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Discussion starter · #55 ·
Re: '69 Coupe Ground-Up / Rotisserie Resto " Now's the Time! "

Zulu28 said:
Todd, It is looking good! I think that you are right (as are all the other guys) about replacing that quarter support. You have the right idea... Good job so far and keep it up!

btw, do you still have your interior installed in the car? You may want to think about removing all of that stuff so it doesn't get all of the rust and junk on it... but I guess if space is at a premium, I should shut my mouth, but definately remove when you start welding!
Click to expand...
Stephen.

Thanks for the compliments. I am a middle school teacher so I will be making most of the progress on weekends/holidays/and especially summer! (can't wait!!!!:hurray:)

I have had the car completely stripped apart down to the shell since 1997. The only things still "sitting" the car--due to the lack of workspace, are my two front bucket seats and a box of bubble wrap. Everything else is already removed and safely tucked away in totes or bubble wrap.

This weekend, I will be finishing the bodycart and mounting the shell onto it. Then I will brace up the interior walls and shell using 1x1" square stock to prevent any twisting or flexing. I am going to try to start EARLY Sat morning to get a good jump on the whole thing. (need to make up for lost time this weekend from rain and a nasty hard drive error in my desktop computer--still on the wife's laptop)

Regards,
Todd
 
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#56 ·
Re: '69 Coupe Ground-Up / Rotisserie Resto " Now's the Time! "

No probs... I am spending too much time on here and not enough time in the garage! Haha! I need to go now!
 
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Discussion starter · #57 ·
Re: '69 Coupe Ground-Up / Rotisserie Resto " Now's the Time! "

Zulu28 said:
No probs... I am spending too much time on here and not enough time in the garage! Haha! I need to go now!
Click to expand...
I know what you mean! LOL!

Well... I just surrendered my computer to the shop so they can figure it all out. The shop owner said that more than likely it was a virus. It is stuck in a loop when I start it up and won't let Windows boot up at all. It keeps ending up at the black and white screen where it offers about 4-5 options of how to start, and none of them work and all end up sending me through the "loop of death" again....:sad:

Anyway, she was extremely confident that she will fix it, and it was only a flat rate of $90 no matter what. Whatcha gonna do????
 
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#59 ·
Re: '69 Coupe Ground-Up / Rotisserie Resto " Now's the Time! "

Yeah Todd, I finally got out to the Garage and actually got pretty far. I think that I spend way too much time trying to get over my fear of doing something to really mess it up and need to just try to figure stuff out as I go... But I did get a lot of stuff done tonight so I am happy! I have a dead line now of getting it to a roller before I move this summer... I could move it the way it is now, but it would be a LOT easier if it were a roller by then!
 
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Discussion starter · #60 ·
Re: '69 Coupe Ground-Up / Rotisserie Resto " Now's the Time! "

Stephen,

You hit the nail right on the head! I think since joining this site and seeing others go through certain replacement processes, the fears have slipped into the past. Ya know, you search high and low for a car that you like, and so it just kills you to cut it apart in fear that it may not work out. I think that is one of the main reasons why it has taken me this long to finally get going on mine.

Glad to hear you made some nice progress. I am jealous and going through major withdrawal with mine since I won't have any garage time until this weekend. Keep up the pace! No reason why you shouldn't make your goal.

My own goal for mine is to have all the sheet metal work done by this summer and get it all into a rolling primered shell--ready for paint. If I keep plowing away at it every weekend, holiday and day off, I think it is entirely possible. I am not in a rush by any means, but it sure would be nice to drive her again! The last time I turned the key was in 1997...:sad:
 
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