Rust war gose on

[48-kb1]

Hi friends. Well I finally bite the bullet and attacked the major Rust on my 65 vert. What a mess. Looked like a bomb went off ! It's amazing what some people can rig up stuff with. 1/2 inch of hard ass undercoat and a 6x8 piece of vinyl siding So with my trusty Dewalt Ocolating tool anda scraper blade 8hrs. Later had both sides cleaned up with a nice surprise the passenger side is in really good shape so now it's time to remove the old rusted gas box and replace with a good used one I got a few years ago from a nice man name John in Arizona. With it also will replace the tip top parts of the wheel well that wouldn't weld to easy then I just need to filling the lower flat areas and then tackle the wheel arch inside and out
P.O.did some fiberglass replacements and I've got to find some good steel one to replace. He filled the inside arch 1"plus thick in looks like fiberglass and bondo it's got to go ! So sorry for the long version of all this ,but if anyone has some steel wheel archs Please PM me. Thanks always

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Not sure if I told you guys this is the first time for me on this extensive rust repair. but momma didn't raise no quiter

[SpyderMan]

Keep chipping away at it!!

[Dennis66]

Always enjoy seeing someone's progress. How are the rockers and doorposts?

[48-kb1]

The rockers are good except the first foot at the front door posts tell me if you agree. Hoping to be able to replace just that section or is that not good ?

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[48-kb1]

I also have all new floor panels to do but I've got to get the front suspension finished and get it back on all 4 wheels then I'll know more of how much to replace on the inner rockers. Please advise if I'm not on target. I just got the power plant back in for proper weight distribution and block stands 16" tall for each wheel to set on so I can get under it. Trying to get prepared seems to be a major portion of the work

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[Dennis66]

Rockers, and particularly the "A pillar'' (IIRC, what they call the windshield / front door hinge area) are critical on a convertible. I will let others chime in who have a bit mor knlowledge on it and the repair of these areas. It is my understanding that repair pieces for convertibles are not available (new), HOWEVER a person with enough determination, skill, and equipment can fix anything.

[48-kb1]

I can get the 3 pieces for the rockers from Jeff at corvair ranch but not by the foot. Pricey but you know. THERE'S NO TURNING BACK NOW but I'm hoping to fab. Some pieces and get my friend the metal man to help me get some good welds. I'll see what the gurus here say. I sure appreciate all you guys helping me. Once I get this I'm pretty sure they rigged the under windshield metal also. I have a new one but that looks like a nightmare to do for a rookie. Probably see if someone on the site might know a good person to take it to.

: from Corvair Ranch.

[66vairguy]

48 kbl --- I admire you efforts and ambition. On the car repair shows I'm amazed by the crap people use the patch "rusted" cars.

Even out West LM convertibles have rust issues. The extra braces below the front door pillar are dirt and water traps. The convertible windshield frame is prone to leaking water down the inside of the "A" pillars. Of course the added "Z" bar in the rockers is a problem. Check the area in the rear below side windows as the convertible top "built in leak" below the flexible back window drains into a drip gutter that dumps into the rockers, or sometimes below the rear seat!!

You might want to weld in braces in the door frame while working on the rockers to keep the body aligned.

Good luck.

[Project65]

48-kb1, I’ve done EXTENSIVE rust repairs on my ‘65 sedan. Too much list, but basically the entire car. Yes, inner and outer rockers, and the door A pillars. The inner fenders and the gas box. The sedan rockers are different than the convertible rockers; however, you can use a similar approach.

Post questions as needed for guidance. You should be able to get good guidance here.

Look for good donor sections if possible. Check out The Corvair Ranch and they might have a donor area better than yours. The front subframe and rear tail sections on my sedan were from a ‘65 convertible that I picked up from the Ranch.

I actually found it easier to rebuild the entire inner fender by removing the entire outer fender. I’ve built everything back with clean steel.

Welding in cross bracing as was mentioned may certainly be advised. I welded in bracing when I replaced my rear quarter panels.

My rebuild thread is in the “members rides, projects and builds” section.

Good Luck!