Got it one piece at a time... 51 chev

[LOW A D]

Tackled the cowl area in front of the door. There was no gap at all, door touched the cowl. Made a pass with a thin cutoff wheel and tapped the cowl edge ahead and welded up the cut

[LOW A D]

Welded up and weld ground smooth. Nice gap, now I can install the lower outer cowl patch.

[99 to Life]

great work, can't wait to get a wheel, bead roller, shrinker stretcher. I do everything the hard way!

[LOW A D]

Thanks for your comments 99! I have enjoyed seeing your projects. Your doing a good job with basic tools. I've done a lot of stuff in cold, dark shops with little equipment. I'm thankful everyday that I now have a bright, warm shop with some nice tools. There are always more tools on my wish list though!! You can never have too many tools or a shop that's big enough it seems!

[LOW A D]

Another thing I did today, off topic I know, but I bought a nice 1962 Impala! Original paint and interior, runs and drives. Since I know my truck will not be on the road this summer, this will be my cruiser this year

[99 to Life]

oh no doubt, its a never ending quest for tools and knowledge. My problem is not only dingy garages, but the fact that they are spread out. I have two work spaces and then a space in pittsburgh. I may buy a house soon which has a nice garage but its small, so there I go again, another 1 car garage to work out of, to spread my tools out! I have three welders and need more, double of alot of tools but short on alot of basics too.

things take time I know. If you didn't work in the depths of the dark you wouldn't appreciate what you have now as much. keep it up and enjoy your space!

[Advanced Design]

Low AD, awesome work on the metal! Firewall and floor looks really good and the gas fill patch is spot on. Going to enjoy following along.

[FarmerSid]

Good therapy working on the truck and car. Glad life is happy again for ya.

[reaper71]

Real nice metal work...Love the Impala!! Drop her and drive it!!

Mark...

[LOW A D]

Originally Posted by reaper71

Real nice metal work...Love the Impala!! Drop her and drive it!!

Mark...

Thanks. Yep,thats the plan! Its got a straight six with a powerglide! I'll leave it that way for now, but when my truck is done that 6 may disappear!!

[Advanced Design]

Nice ...gas filler patch looks good as does the gap. Oh hey, love the 62 Impala!

[*Kenny]

Nice job on the metal work! The impala is going to be the perfect cruiser

[LOW A D]

Thanks for all the comments guys. I'm really enjoying working on the truck again! Trouble is while I'm working on the truck I keep thinking about what i could all do to the Impala I just bought! I promised myself to just drive it as is till the truck is done! We'll see how that works out!

[reaper71]

Nice work on the gaps...I used the same technique on "orangepeel" and other projects in the past.
It's crazy how these vehicles left the factory with such lousy fitting parts!
Although they were meant to be Farm Trucks I guess..

Mark..

[99 to Life]

I'd say on the trucks yah they didn't spend the attention to that detail. But I'm still so impressed with the engineering and styling of these trucks. all the little detail pieces they had to made just boggles my mind. I have a 53' belair and the door shuts soooo smooth I just think to myself, the quality was awesome back then, esp for the standard.

[Flysocal]

Great welding. everything looks good

[LOW A D]

I've been working on getting my door gaps set to my liking and welding in my outer cowl patches and outer cab corners. As you all know, this requires installing and removing the doors several times. Adjusting the door each time you put it back on takes time and it is hard to put it the exact same spot each time. Maybe most of you already know this but if it can help at least one person, I will show you how I do it. Once I have the door adjusted to exactly where I want it, I drill a 1/4 inch hole through the hinge and through the door. I do this to both upper and lower hinge. This way, when you put the door back on, you line up the 1/4 holes and insert a 1/4 bolt through the holes. Now the door will stay put in exactly the right spot and you can put in the six bolts holding the door to the hinge without trying to balance the door on your knees. Once the bolts are all tight, simply pull out the 1/4 inch bolts. Hope this makes sense!!

[am0254338]

Hey that's a good idea...thanks!

[Titorod]

Nice start, definitely watching this in order to learn all those tricks like the door one. Thanks.

[Oldtruckwelder]

Nice thread, great skills !!
Glad you got back into your build.
JT from SC

[reaper71]

Low AD, We do basically the same thing except I drill and tap it for the 1/4 20 bolt that way it will not move on you, and locks it in place.

Mark...

[LOW A D]

I used to tap it too but I have found its faster to just drill a 1/4 inch hole right through and just slide the bolt all the way in. Seems to hold the door in place just as well and that way you dont need another wrench or socket. I remove the 1/4 inch bolt after the door is bolted on. Both ways work equally well but i find this way simpler

[RockinKees]

Great tip!
Maybe a dumb question, but I gotta ask:
I use new weatherstriping in the doors, do you adjust the doors with or without this new rubber??

[LOW A D]

I adjust the doors before i start welding in any patches.. As i weld in cab corners and the outer cowl patch, etc., I make the patches fit the door. Another little tip here, I always remove the door latch or striker before lining up the door because the latch can pull the door up or down unless it is perfectly aligned. After the door fits nice I set the striker and latch in the correct position. After new weather strip is installed you may need to make some minor adjustments but the door should stay pretty much in the same spot. Hope this helps

[RockinKees]

Originally Posted by LOW A D

I adjust the doors before i start welding in any patches.. As i weld in cab corners and the outer cowl patch, etc., I make the patches fit the door. Another little tip here, I always remove the door latch or striker before lining up the door because the latch can pull the door up or down unless it is perfectly aligned. After the door fits nice I set the striker and latch in the correct position. After new weather strip is installed you may need to make some minor adjustments but the door should stay pretty much in the same spot. Hope this helps

This sure helps, a lot!!
Thanks!!

I now know what to do