Category Archives: Camaro

Camaro

Feb 9, 2014 Update – Patch Panel

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I had some remaining work from the floor patch panel from last summer.  I had to get the old brake bracket off the old floor – will need to weld it to the new floor later.

Here is the bracket on the old floor:

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I started by drilling out the spot welds I could find:IMG_0525 IMG_0526

Then I used a body saw to cut it out with the old floor metal still on it:IMG_0527

Then I used my vice to hold it while I worked on getting the old metal off of it:IMG_0528

This body seam buster came in real handy:IMG_0529

You can see some of the spot welds I had missed:IMG_0530 IMG_0531

Used my grinder to smooth the old spot welds down:IMG_0532 IMG_0533Will put this in the blast cabinet and prime it before welding to the new floor.

 

Camaro

Dec 28, 2013 Update

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Fine-tuned the garage door to make it easier to open & close which has been a problem after the drywall (bowing the door guide).  Seems to be working much better now.

Also took advantage of the warm weather to cut up some pieces of metal for the next project which is to build an engine run stand for a built 454 I am looking at buying…  Still need to get some more materials for that project.  Cut this up outside while it was warm – otherwise the dust that is generated inside makes a mess of things.

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Also got some air-filled casters that I hope to put on the Rotisserie so this spring, I can roll the shell outside easier to power wash the bottom among other things.  Need to do some work with the Rotisserie later this winter.  Note: The other casters are for the engine run stand.IMG_0507

Camaro

Dec 11, 2013 Update

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OK, a couple of beers and researching how to remove the trunk torsion springs, I went outside and dove into the project.  I went out to study the situation and one thing led to another and before I knew it, I was able to remove the trunk torsion springs without doing any damage:

IMG_0498 IMG_0499 IMG_0500Basically what I did was to move each side to the lowest notch using a socket over the bar, then I removed the springs from the middle catch, and finally removed the springs from the last hooks using some vice grips and screw drivers.  I would suggest protecting the windows and body when doing this as they are under a lot of tension.  One person can do this, but an extra set of hands would make it easier.

 

Camaro

Oct 20, 2013 Update – Patch Panel

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Got some more body work done:

Patch panel ready for some primer to hold it over until Spring:

IMG_0418

Fabricated a piece to hold a plug I patched:IMG_0423

Clamped it to the firewall bracket:IMG_0424

View from inside ready for patch piece:IMG_0425

Fabricated plug:IMG_0426

Clean the metal for welding:IMG_0427

Place the fabricated plug in to but-weld:IMG_0428

Fabricate another piece for a lap weld:IMG_0430

First pass at welding:IMG_0431

A little grinding:IMG_0432

Lap weld other piece in:IMG_0433

Grind the welds down:IMG_0434

The piece is not flush with the car, so I decided to fill it in with more welds:IMG_0435 IMG_0436

More grinding shows some more welding was required:IMG_0437 IMG_0438 IMG_0439

View from other side:IMG_0440Treated the metal with Eastwood Metal Prep – will shoot some primer this next week.  Bought a dehumidifier for the garage which should help.

 

Camaro

Oct 9, 2013 Update

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Did a little in the garage tonight.  Decided to go with a lap weld for the drivers side hole.  The firewall bracket is on the opposite side, so I can’t get a copper backing behind it to help with welding it.  So today, I sanded it down and sprayed some weld-thru primer on it (after cleaning the metal).  Still need to cut and form the piece to cover it and weld it in.

Had to sand part of it with sandpaper manually as the disc couldn’t access some of the curves easily:

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Weld-thru primer:IMG_0422

Camaro

Sep 28, 2013 Update – Patch Panel

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Almost done with the patch panel.  Still need to grind the welds on the bottom and then spray some Epoxy primer on it:

IMG_0387 IMG_0388

After my first pass at welding, looking at it from the bottom showed some areas where the light was shining through that needed to be gone over.  So after grinding the welds, re-welding and re-grinding, I think it is finally acceptable.  Next summer, I will go over the floor and trunk with POR-15 Floor & Trunk kit which should get any remaining pin holes.IMG_0398 IMG_0404 IMG_0405 IMG_0406 IMG_0407 IMG_0408 IMG_0410 IMG_0412 IMG_0413

 

There are two small areas I think need patched.  Need to verify on NastyZ28.com that these are not factory holes and needs to be patched.  That should then wrap-up the body work until Spring 2014 when I sand and prime the main shell.IMG_0415 IMG_0417

Camaro

Sep 4, 2013 Update

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Latest updates on the patch panel.  Most welding and grinding is done, there are still a few spots to re-do:

IMG_0291 IMG_0292 IMG_0293 IMG_0297 IMG_0305 IMG_0313 IMG_0314

The welder wire got jammed up – had to fix the next day.IMG_0315 IMG_0316 IMG_0328 IMG_0329

 

Also located a plug I needed (still need to seam seal it in):

IMG_0304Also pictures of a dash I acquired for the interior:

IMG_0348 IMG_0349 IMG_0350Hope to not wait so long before the next update!

 

 

Camaro

Jun 16, 2013 Update

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Made some progress this weekend – got the patch panel tacked in place and started welding it in.

Final adjustments for fitting:

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All tacked in:IMG_0284

Started welding:IMG_0285

Bought a new work light from Menards – 500 Watt Halogen.IMG_0286Also removed the remaining wiring from the car.  Still need to put a few removed dash parts away.  I finally had to turn on the garage A/C as welding in a welding shirt, gloves, and hat tends to heat the body up a bit!!!