Advice on panel replacement

[440WIP]

I've got a '72 Duster that I am determined to do the bodywork on myself. I am not a body man by any stretch, but I feel I am capable of learning and have a pretty good eye for detail. I need to change the drivers side 1/4 and the tail panel. Right where they join at the corner is where all the rust and damage is the worst - there's not too much left to rebuild onto.  I don't think they should both be removed at the same time for alignment purposes, but I don't know. Which one do I do first, or do I remove both at the same time?

[loiq]

Can you post some photos of what you're talking about?

[doug 371]

you have to get the parts first. never do anything to a 1/4 panel until u see what u have to start with

[eldubb440]

you have to get the parts first. never do anything to a 1/4 panel until u see what u have to start with

     have the parts ready to go before cutting the car.  id look for a nice donor section. 

[440WIP]

I have two donor tailpanels (neither is perfect - but acceptable) and an aftermarket 1/4 panel. Tailpanels are a scarce commodity as they were  single year specific and no re-pops are available. I'll take some pictures tomorrow and try again to post some pictures. I keep missing a step somewhere and they just never want to get posted. I' ll maybe let one of my kids try - they've already forgotten more about computers than I know 
Daryl

[440WIP]

Here's the pics.

[attachment deleted by admin]

[eldubb440]

if you have the parts, go ahead and cut it.......id tack the tail panel in place first, cut the nasty area of the quarter away........you probobly have some patching to do on the trunk pan, and the lower quarter extension will need replaced (or repaired if not available).........hold off on all major welding until ALL the panels are on and lined up......you will find it only fits one way, its not that hard, good luck!

[kuztomz]

if you have the parts, go ahead and cut it.......id tack the tail panel in place first, cut the nasty area of the quarter away........you probobly have some patching to do on the trunk pan, and the lower quarter extension will need replaced (or repaired if not available).........hold off on all major welding until ALL the panels are on and lined up......you will find it only fits one way, its not that hard, good luck!

As everyone states, if you have the parts go for it ...

It looks like the deck lid fits well, the gaps look even and such so that's your starting point for aligning everything in the back, make sure your drivers door fits and shuts just right before removing the quarter, that'll guide you in front.

Be sure to look over everything before you cut, it's easier to cut again to remove a panel then it is to weld everything back if you took too much (avoid the whole "I've cut it down three times and it's still to short" syndrome  ), use the replacement parts as a guide .... clean the used parts up to the factory seams first.

When welding (you're mig welding right?) make sure you don't weld too long in any one place, short welds spaced apart will cause less warpage and less work cleaning everything up, cool welds with a blow gun rather then water.

If you want, if you have a question about something in particular or want to shoot over more photos if you're unsure of something I'd be willing to offer any advice I can. I did this for many years

[west]

damn daryl,makes the demon i sold you look cherry 
is it a real 340 car?

[doug 371]

the problem with that aftermarket 1/4 is it wont replace ur old 1/4 all the way to the tailpanel seam...so cut that old 1/4 off in mind that ur still gonna use part of it

[440WIP]

Doug - Thanks for the reminder about the panel being short - I had heard about that.

West - Yep, its an original 72 "H" code 340 4/spd, 8 3/4 suregrip w/3.55 gears, front discs, sharktooth grill, white bucket interior, originally a TB3 Basin blue (will be again). I think it has the potential to come back. Except for the crap on the rear corner and for sure the spare tire well (and probably the D/S trunk extention), the rest of the car is watertight and rust free inside and underneath. It came as a non-runner, but my son and I got it going a few weeks ago. Needs a fuel tank for sure and probably lines too. While the bodywork is being done we plan to yank the 340 and rebuild it with some beef to a stock compression ratio, except that we'll be putting a B&M 144 supercharger on it (already sitting in the garage). It all fits under the hood as nice as can be. In case you were curious, we decided to forego the 413 in the Demon I got from you, and just go with a stock '67 440 instead.
Daryl

[west]

sounds like it will be a nice car,and it's definately worth the effort with those options