Team Camaro Tech banner
Cancel
Create thread New Garage Forums

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

Jump to Latest
2,481 - 2,500 of 3,620 Posts
#2,481 ·
Re: '69 Coupe Ground-Up / Rotisserie Resto " Now's the Time! "

this is the only pic of mine but i see a trend

 
#2,482 ·
Re: '69 Coupe Ground-Up / Rotisserie Resto " Now's the Time! "

My 67 was the same. The body Shop manager suggested just fixing the rust holes, but once the roof was cut off I was so glad we did it. The inner structure was all junked out, and the edges of the roof were paper thin at points from the rust. It would have rusted through from the inside in no time.
 
Discussion starter · #2,483 ·
Re: '69 Coupe Ground-Up / Rotisserie Resto " Now's the Time! "

stamatisg1977 said:
-great job!! i did attempt to scrape mine off but then i thought, why am i doing this? its getting replaced. but its good to see that it came off easy for you:thumbsup:
Click to expand...

Thank you... I decided to try the repairs and see how they come out or hard they are for me to do. If it turns out well, I will keep the roof. If not...:yes: heh heh...



Tim1968 said:
do it! (ben stiller voice from the starsky and hutch remake). And hmmm i wonder who got the idea of an LS1 in your head...haha. it took me all of maybe an hour to take the roof skin off. I think one of belairbob's builds has the shaved driprails, i remember talking to him about it and i really like the look. There are a few threads on here i have sifted through and it seems people just use a piece of welding rod and make about 30 million tack welds. I think it gives the car a nice modern look. oh well thats my $0.02. oh nice rat motor btw lol, im surprised you didnt use that as an excuse to go with a k&n filtercharger :p
Click to expand...

Ls1 does sound sweet! There are always good motors on Craigslist for sale locally, so it just may be in my future... I am probably going with 2nd gen sport mirrors, so the shaved look may be nice. I need to see if I am keeping the roof first. I also have the underlying issue of the minor rust going on underneath the drip rails. I just scraped them clean and lightly sanded out the rail channels next to the roof line, then applied a few apps of Ospho. I planned on leaving it overnight, and then sanding it off tomorrow afternoon to see how it looks. Hopefully the Ospho will seep into the crevices and seams along the roof rail to kill off most of it. I will honestly never know until I turn my Camaro into a sardine can and peel the lid off. ;)

Yea, that rat nest was nasty! Smelled like rotten flesh,-- wait a minute, it was! ewww.... Gamey too. Glad I found that when I did. :yes: Starsky and Hutch was a funny movie. I used to watch the original TV series as a kid just to see the cool muscle cars on the show--just like with The Dukes of Hazzard too. Another great one...





69z28freak said:
X2

Really nice job Todd and your roof looks much cleaner under the insulation than mine did. Like they say "six of one, half a dozen of the other". Do what ever gives you the most peace of mind and the biggest grin. Only cost difference will be the actual skin. With the replacement you have all the added time of removing the skin and all the preping for much more welding. With the repair you will be welding as well, but messing around a lot more with all those little patches. For the pin holes you just add some weld and grind down. . Sounds like a toss up to me!
Click to expand...

Thanks Mike. I know,... the roof main surfaces are pretty clean and straight. It's just the outer edges that concern me. Above both windshields and on top of the support braces. Funny thing happened today. My father came over and took a look at it and said this roof is clean! I looked at him and agreed, then pointed out all of the areas that need work, and then asked him his opinion. He said, ya know... it would be a quicker fix, and you know time is precious in your life right now, so you have to make a decision. He's right. He also asked, "What about drilling out the spot welds for each roof support while the roof panel is on? That way you won't have to remove the roof. Interesting, but I don't think I can get to every spot weld to remove them. I would end up having to maybe cut out the roof supports instead to treat them and the roof's interior, then re-weld them back in using buttwelds. Is that possible:confused: Not sure...

So I am thinking... What's another $400 in the grand scheme of things to lay out for a new roof and side drip rails? Right? It would do four things for me:
  1. Peace of mind knowing my Camaro is 100% rust-free
  2. Less time spent on replacing roof panel than repairing issues
  3. The easier option of saying NO to the vinyl top since the roof will be clean and straight for the paint job without having to remove all the studs and fill those holes too.
  4. MUCH easier to weld on the new full quarter panels! :yes:
SO!..... All in favor? I should set up a poll thread for this one and let you guys decide. I don't mind doing the work obviously, otherwise I wouldn't even consider it. :confused:
 
Save
Reply Quote Like Like
Discussion starter · #2,484 ·
Re: '69 Coupe Ground-Up / Rotisserie Resto " Now's the Time! "

stamatisg1977 said:
this is the only pic of mine but i see a trend

Click to expand...
The missing roof in this pic reminds me of Darth Vader in Return of the Jedi, when he is dying and removes his mask to talk to Luke for some reason. :p I can hear his ill-breathing now...... "Hhhhooooohhh--heeeehhhhh. hhhhoooooohhhh--heeeeeeehhh". Lol!

Thanks for the inspiring "topless" photo. :D
 
Save
Reply Quote Like Like
Discussion starter · #2,485 ·
Re: '69 Coupe Ground-Up / Rotisserie Resto " Now's the Time! "

Tim1968 said:
do it! (ben stiller voice from the starsky and hutch remake). And hmmm i wonder who got the idea of an LS1 in your head...haha. it took me all of maybe an hour to take the roof skin off. I think one of belairbob's builds has the shaved driprails, i remember talking to him about it and i really like the look. There are a few threads on here i have sifted through and it seems people just use a piece of welding rod and make about 30 million tack welds. I think it gives the car a nice modern look. oh well thats my $0.02. oh nice rat motor btw lol, im surprised you didnt use that as an excuse to go with a k&n filtercharger :p
Click to expand...

Tim--- Hey! It was great to finally get to speak over the phone the other day. Sorry if I rambled and kept you from working on your friend's truck. I just never get to speak to someone on the same level about Camaros that often and couldn't stop. :D I think I could actually talk about our Camaro builds all day if I was able to (time-wise).

Great to see you on here again lately. it's like old times again. Now get in the garage and get back to work on that sweet '68! "You can do it!" (Rob Schneider quote) :D lol!
 
Save
Reply Quote Like Like
#2,487 ·
Re: '69 Coupe Ground-Up / Rotisserie Resto " Now's the Time! "

6781camaro said:
Tim--- Hey! It was great to finally get to speak over the phone the other day. Sorry if I rambled and kept you from working on your friend's truck. I just never get to speak to someone on the same level about Camaros that often and couldn't stop. :D I think I could actually talk about our Camaro builds all day if I was able to (time-wise).

Great to see you on here again lately. it's like old times again. Now get in the garage and get back to work on that sweet '68! "You can do it!" (Rob Schneider quote) :D lol!
Click to expand...
yeah man absolutely, it was good catching up. and dont worry about it i had the bluetooth on so i was multitasking. you will see some progress soon, i have to keep the garage clean for maybe one more week while i put the rx7 motor together. but once that is bolted together and i can seal it up i can start cutting and grinding away on the 'maro again.
 
Discussion starter · #2,488 ·
Re: '69 Coupe Ground-Up / Rotisserie Resto " Now's the Time! "

Awesome. You're a brave man working on a Mazda. I once owned a 1988 Maxima, which was a sweet car, but whew!---changing out that timing belt was a chore and half! Talk about a tight engine bay-- and transverse too. I had to work sitting on the concrete floor through the pass side wheel well. Not fun. Those cars have their engines poured in at the factory. :D Looking forward to seeing you back at it again. Get started before that white stuff starts to fall again. (I miss it in a way). No real seasons here in Florida since we have Summer and Winter; that's it... but we get more outdoor time for sure.
 
Save
Reply Quote Like Like
#2,489 ·
Re: '69 Coupe Ground-Up / Rotisserie Resto " Now's the Time! "

Hey Todd I think we all know which way this is going to go. You have come so far not to go all the way. Beside you are going to have newest, all new sheet metal car on the planet! And remember, it is only you that is going to know that, there lurks no rust below those panels!!!! How many of us will ever get to say that?

Under every roof skin lurks exactly what Tim just posted. Evil rust vermin, intent on destroying our world and wiping the Camaro race for good! Only master Blaster can protect us from this grim fate. Or perhaps a handy delivery of a fresh sheet metal order!
 
#2,490 ·
Re: '69 Coupe Ground-Up / Rotisserie Resto " Now's the Time! "

I went ahead and ripped my old roof off, The rust that was on the inside waiting to come out was just a breath away. I will never regret doing it. All alont the sides hidden under the supports the roof skin was paper thin from the rust hidden inside. I did not go back with Vinyl. I love my car and my money too much to have to rip it apart again later.

Image

Image

Image

Image

Image

Image

Image
 
Discussion starter · #2,492 ·
Re: '69 Coupe Ground-Up / Rotisserie Resto " Now's the Time! "

Thanks Chris, Mike, Tim, and all that have posted. It looks like my mind is made up.:yes: .......Stay tuned! I've got a little more work to do than was originally expected. :D
 
Save
Reply Quote Like Like
Discussion starter · #2,493 ·
Save
Reply Quote Like Like
Discussion starter · #2,494 · (Edited)
Re: '69 Coupe Ground-Up / Rotisserie Resto " Now's the Time! "

So, I've been planning my attack for the whole roof replacement, and found this kit that I would like to buy so I can spotweld the new roof back in place along the seams as factory--plus it includes an attachment for studs. This kit is used with the Lencospot Mark II spotwelder that I already own, so I think it would be a sweet addition to my tool box. :D Does anyone know where I can possibly get it cheaper before I order it? Thanks guys. I feel alot better now that I know what I am doing with the roof panel. I will try to salvage it as best as I can while removing it though. Maybe someone would be interested to use part of it--who knows?

Check it out:

https://www.brweldingsupplies.com/cart/cart-contents.cfm


Here is the kit I am talking about...


Image




They also carry the drip rail spotweld tips #A-145 and the stud welding tips #SPK-103 for the vinyl top mouldings separately. I had no idea these things were even available for my Lencospot welder. Pretty cool... Steven-- If I order the drip rail tips, I may as well order the stud welding tip too, so I will keep you informed if I need to borrow your stud gun or not. Thanks again...
 
Save
Reply Quote Like Like
Discussion starter · #2,495 · (Edited)
Re: '69 Coupe Ground-Up / Rotisserie Resto " Now's the Time! "

So, after eating dinner and mulling it over......... I'd say I am committed--and glad I am. :yes: Now I just need to air chisel out the spot welds along each upper window opening, and separate the front upper corners where the lead is, and bingo! I am on my way to a new roof and drip rails! Check it out....


Image


Image


Image


Image


Image
 
Save
Reply Quote Like Like
Discussion starter · #2,496 ·
Re: '69 Coupe Ground-Up / Rotisserie Resto " Now's the Time! "

I forgot to mention that in just about every hole I just drilled, rusty dust came out in addition to the metal drillings. That tells me I have chosen the right path. The path to the light side of the force. :D "Obi Wan has taught you well".

*If anyone sees a nice deal on a new roof and drip rails.,,,,, let me know! :)
 
Save
Reply Quote Like Like
#2,497 ·
Re: '69 Coupe Ground-Up / Rotisserie Resto " Now's the Time! "

Wow Todd how many holes did you drill, and how long did it take you? Knowing you, I knew you make that chioce. Your car is so rust free and pure, there is no way you could soil that perfection with the thought of that evil rust waiting inside the roof like an evil sleeper cell, just ready to attack when you least expect it. Do I detect some blasting in your near future?
 
Discussion starter · #2,498 · (Edited)
Re: '69 Coupe Ground-Up / Rotisserie Resto " Now's the Time! "

"Evil sleeper cell"..... LMAO.. That was hilarious.

Yes, I already have a pile of things that I will be blasting in a cabinet blaster, but this job calls for a visit from the infamous "MASTER BLASTER!". I am so curious to see what the insides of the roof supports look like now. I hope I can sleep :D. If had a detached garage, the roof would have been off already. HECK! if I had a detached garage I'd be out cruising in my Camaro now because it would be done already. Lol!

I didn't count, but it must have been around 30 holes per side if I had to guess. It only took about 40 minutes or so to do after I ate dinner and put the twins to sleep. I started out with a nice new 1/8" drill bit for the first round of trigger pulling, and then widened up each hole to 1/4" to ensure that the spotwelds would break free. I heard a few POP loose as I was moving along down the line. Pretty exciting.

I've been on the lookout for a the best deal on new drip rails and a roof as of earlier today. I do want a nice-fitting roof though. I have seen Dynacorns and Goodmarks so far. I wonder how the AMD roof is or if they even make one. I guess I can always check out their site and see.

Tomorrow's another day, and my Camaro my go topless! Stay tuned.
 
Save
Reply Quote Like Like
#2,499 ·
Re: '69 Coupe Ground-Up / Rotisserie Resto " Now's the Time! "

6781camaro said:
While searching for a roof locally, look what popped up. I'm not considering it at all, just thought it was cool looking....

Image
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1967-69-camaro-firebird-roof-_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQhashZitem2eb02caa2fQQitemZ200524212783QQptZVintageQ5fCarQ5fTruckQ5fPartsQ5fAccessories



Image
Click to expand...

I don't get it Todd? What's wrong with that roof? Looks like it's got it all, then some!!!:hurray: :beers:
 
Discussion starter · #2,500 ·
Re: '69 Coupe Ground-Up / Rotisserie Resto " Now's the Time! "

69z28freak said:
I don't get it Todd? What's wrong with that roof? Looks like it's got it all, then some!!!:hurray: :beers:
Click to expand...
What I meant was, why even consider buying a used roof when all the same rust most likely lurks in that one too, right? It most likely needs the same blasting and repairs as mine I would bet. I just got a kick out of the picture. It's amazing what people would do to a car.
 
Save
Reply Quote Like Like
2,481 - 2,500 of 3,620 Posts
About this Discussion
3.6K Replies
171 Participants
Last post:
tp_smith
Team Camaro Tech
posts
2.4M
members
90K
Since
1998
A forum community dedicated to 1st generation Chevy Camaros owners and enthusiasts. Come join the discussion about performance, builds, restoration, modifications, classifieds, troubleshooting, reviews, and more!
Full Forum Listing
Explore Our Forums
Bench Racing Engine Body Shop Performance Brakes, Suspension & Steering