Joe's Camaro

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09-09-2006, 07:03 AM
Dave Severson

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Joe's Camaro

Well, a new shop project begins. An old friend of mine is starting on his Camaro, it's like an '86 that he picked up at a very right price. Plans include a 430 horse sbc, 350 tranny, frame ties, suspension upgrades, new paint, and a general sanitizing of the entire car. Well, it looked good after removing the old power train and the interior. Been some other hands in it over the years, but not too much cobbling to straighten out. Then I pulled the carpet, and here's what I found on the driver's floorboard and footwell. Because of the unibody construction of the car, I'll be cutting out about half of the bad stuff, replacing it with new sheet metal, then do the other half. Had a unibody structure "take off" on me once when I was young and dumb, took about 3 hours on the frame rack to get it all pushed back to straight. Should be a fun project. I know it's one of the years considered to be a "loser" in the world of Camaro's, but it's Joe's car and he has some very specific ideas about how he wants it done....
09-09-2006, 07:14 AM
Itoldyouso

Reminds me of one reason I left the North. Guess you guys out in the Mid-West get this too. Actually, this one isn't too bad, compared to some, like the Falcon pictures RJ and CJ used to post.

Dave, just a suggestion, why don't you keep this thread going as a how to as you replace this stuff. I'll bet a lot of guys could benefit, especially with the good work you do on things. Even incorporating all of the stuff you do to the car until it is finished would be neat to see. I know it's a pain sometimes to stop working, wash your hands, take a couple of pictures, then sit down at night to post what you did that day, but I and alot of others would love to see it.

And, I think there are one or maybe two guys on here who actually are Chevy guys............:D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D

Don
09-09-2006, 07:16 AM
Dave Severson

Kind of planning on it, Don. Unfortunately, over the year's I've done more then my share of panel replacement. This damage appears to have started at day one in the factory when some clown neglected to properly seal one of the seams in the wheel well...... The rest of the car is solid, just the driver's floor and footwell is rusted.....
09-09-2006, 07:25 AM
Itoldyouso

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I pulled up this picture from RJ and CJ's posts, when I saw these the first time I had to go have a drink.:eek: :eek: :eek: :eek: :eek: I HATE RUST.

Don

Do the FLINTSTONES come to mind.
09-09-2006, 10:24 AM
shawnlee28

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:LOL: Here is some sunny cali pics!!!:eek:
09-09-2006, 06:53 PM
southerner

:eek: I can see where you get your signature from shawnlee
09-10-2006, 08:14 AM
Dave Severson

Years ago when the older cars wore more plentiful a guy didn't have to bother with the rust repair required projects. Now all the good ones have been picked over and it's down to the not so good ones that need the extra work. Still better then just letting them all get crushed.
09-10-2006, 03:46 PM
cffisher

And the price just keep going up. More times than one do I wish I had back the cars I've put in scrap yards over the years.:eek:
09-12-2006, 04:58 PM
Dave Severson

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Well got a bit more done on the Camaro. Patching rust has never been one of my favorite jobs, but if you want to keep the car and fix the rust so it doesn't come back ya gotta do it.

Just some pics for the guys who haven't done the patch panel thing and shy away from a car they want because of the presence of rust.

First, I make a template for the area I had to cut out. This one happens to be for the inner side of the rocker panel on the driver's side. Then trace the pattern onto 20ga. (thickness of your choice, this is what GM originally had on the Camaro) and cut it out. The holes punched in it are for spot welds, about twice as many as GM had in it. Then I scuff the patch with 36 grit on both sides and etch primed and por 15 the back side of the patch. After this, just tack it in place, do it bit of pinging and dingin to make the patch match the contour of the rockers, and weld it in.

Next I'll replace the rusted area on the upper foot well, then add the last piec of flooring. Hope the pics help show the process.
09-12-2006, 07:09 PM
pat mccarthy

i love RUST:D you should be happy you have a rocker to stick that steel on i would :LOL: i have done so much of this stuff . the last one i did was a 55 chrysler that had no frame rail on one side and made the hole thing from front of the kick up to the back of the car i wish i had photos of that it look like it was not touched.hang in there dave make shure you do not get lockjaw:eek:
09-12-2006, 07:52 PM
Dave Severson

:LOL: :LOL: Know what ya mean on the lockjaw. As the quality of project cars continue to deteriorate, it's important to keep your tetanus shot up to date!!! The single most important thing to have in your tool inventory BEFORE starting on a panel replacement is a very good fitting set of goggles to wear over your safety glasses!!!!!!!
09-12-2006, 08:02 PM
Itoldyouso

Great start to what promises to be a very informative thread Dave. I know it slows the work down to take pictures, but you are certainly going to provide a blueprint for others who might not have the experience of doing this. I wish I had someone posting this sort of stuff when I was first learning. Not that I know anything YET.:HMMM: :HMMM: :HMMM:

Don

Speaking of rust, my shower is starting to develop rust spots all over the bottom from when I shower after grinding stuff on the T. Sort of funny to see all that there, and I guess I am going to have to buy some of that CLR I see advertised on TV to get it totally cleaned up.:LOL: :LOL: :LOL: :LOL: :LOL:
09-12-2006, 08:04 PM
pat mccarthy

hey i even know what them old gm cars smell like when you weld on them :3dSMILE: and even know what they tast like when grinding on them and it duz not tast like chicken:whacked: :LOL: :LOL:
09-12-2006, 08:09 PM
pat mccarthy

Don

Speaking of rust, my shower is starting to develop rust spots all over the bottom from when I shower after grinding stuff on the T. Sort of funny to see all that there, and I guess I am going to have to buy some of that CLR I see advertised on TV to get it totally cleaned up.:LOL: :LOL: :LOL: :LOL: :LOL:[/QUOTE] so this you would drink ? to clean your drain out don:eek: come to think:confused: of it maybe that is that is what is wrong with me :whacked:
09-12-2006, 08:14 PM
Dave Severson

Quote:

Originally Posted by pat mccarthy

Don

Speaking of rust, my shower is starting to develop rust spots all over the bottom from when I shower after grinding stuff on the T. Sort of funny to see all that there, and I guess I am going to have to buy some of that CLR I see advertised on TV to get it totally cleaned up.: :LOL: :LOL:

so this you would drink ? to clean your drain out don:eek: come to think:confused: of it maybe that is that is what is wrong with me :whacked:[/QUOTE]

:LOL: :LOL: I dunno.....at your age Don, you sure the rust is from the car?????????:LOL: :LOL: :LOL:
09-12-2006, 08:16 PM
pat mccarthy

:confused: :confused: :LOL: :LOL: :LOL: :LOL: :whacked:
09-12-2006, 08:22 PM
Itoldyouso

You know Pat, now that you mention it, those couple of cold beers taste especially good when I get home from the shop at night. Must have something as you have suggested to do with flushing the rust out of my throat. :cool: :cool: :cool: :cool: :cool: :LOL: :LOL:

Don
09-12-2006, 08:24 PM
Itoldyouso

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dave Severson

so this you would drink ? to clean your drain out don:eek: come to think:confused: of it maybe that is that is what is wrong with me :whacked:

:LOL: :LOL: I dunno.....at your age Don, you sure the rust is from the car?????????:LOL: :LOL: :LOL:[/QUOTE]

That's really funny, I like that.:LOL: :LOL: : If I wanted this kind of abuse I could have stayed with my last girlfriend.

Don
09-12-2006, 08:28 PM
Dave Severson

Heck, if you're looking for some ex girlfriends, let me know. Be glad to send a few your way!!!! Soon as I gave up chasing women found out I could afford another race car. A man has to have his priorities, ya know?????:LOL: :LOL:
09-12-2006, 08:43 PM
pat mccarthy

yes your right all i need is a good runing big block. ok more than one.:3dSMILE:and my dog :3dSMILE:
09-12-2006, 08:56 PM
Itoldyouso

You guys are exactly right. Just today my ex-girlfriend called me out of the blue (I moved out of her place over a year ago) and we kind of talked about having a drink some evening and catching up on old times. But, you know, I really don't want to do it. She is one of the nicest women I have ever known, and most guys would feel honored to go with her, but I just know how it would start all over again.

For the first time in my life I can be totally selfish with my time and money,and I am really enjoying that freedom. I remember the few nights I would get over to my shop, I would either feel guilty because she was sitting home alone, or I would get the cold shoulder when I did get there. It is just easier this way.

I may change that way of thinking somewhere down the road, but for now it works. And, my cats never complain about all the money I am blowing on these stupid cars.:LOL: :LOL: :LOL: :LOL: :LOL: :LOL: :LOL: :LOL:

Don
09-15-2006, 08:06 AM
Dave Severson

Tee Hee Hee...... Good doggie!!!!!!:LOL: :LOL: :LOL:
09-15-2006, 08:18 AM
Dave Severson

2 Attachment(s)

Anyway, back to the Camaro. built the piece that welds to the inner rocker panel and the floor welds to it. Yup, could have been built as one piece, but a flanged and welded joint is stronger then a flat floor. Bent it at a 90, flanged one side for the floor to attach to, punched holes in the other side to weld it to the innner rocker panel....Only thing left to fab now is the center piece of the floor and the upper panel for the footwell. But it's a weekend and time to go racing, so probably won't get back on it til next week.....
09-15-2006, 08:24 AM
Itoldyouso

Doesn't even look like the same car already. Funny what changes happen in the hands of someone who really knows what they are doing. It is going to be a pleasure to watch this car come together on this thread.

Don
09-16-2006, 08:58 AM
Dave Severson

1 Attachment(s)

Well, got the main section of floor cut out, bead rolled, and welded in. I'll be getting at the upper foot well next week. Still have to coat the top and bottom with Por 15, then put some seam sealer on all the joints then it will be a floor again.
09-16-2006, 11:05 AM
Itoldyouso

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Dave: You're coming along so fast, thought you might like another rust project.

Actually, this is a picture from RJ and CJ's gallery. The first time I saw this I thought OMG.:eek: :eek: :eek: :eek: :eek: :eek: :eek: :eek:
He has more enthusiasm than me.:D :D

Don
09-16-2006, 12:01 PM
Dave Severson

Heck the nastiest part of the job is allready done, cutting the rusty stuff out of the car is the worst part!!!!
09-16-2006, 12:26 PM
cffisher

AMEN !!
Cutting out the rust is the worst part
09-16-2006, 12:38 PM
Matt167

if I remember right he's putting a tube frame under that Falcon, just using the body.
09-17-2006, 10:52 AM
Dave Severson

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Just thought I would throw this pic in here, too. This is a shot of what's left of Joe's Camaro after I took a few things apart to facilitate the rebuild... Not in too bad of shape overall. Should be a very nice car and up there in the Super Cruizer level when it's finished....
09-27-2006, 06:15 AM
Dave Severson

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ok, got the floor in and coated with Por 15. Nothing left to do with it now but some seam sealer before the interior goes back together. Got the frame ties on, control arms and panhard bar should be here today and the engine & trans should be ready in another week or so. Got to start cleaning up the engine compartment and get it looking spiffy for the new engine. Next project on the body is taking the roof apart and turning it into a T-Top car... Anybody need any 305 TPI parts? Won't be using them with the new engine.

Anyway, here's the floor all put back together.
10-17-2006, 06:45 PM
Dave Severson

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Geez, hope I can get this to print correctly. It's the engine dyno sheet for the new 5.3 engine going in Joe's Camaro. Just got back from the road trip to pick it up. 430 horse fuel injected should make it run fairly strong!!!

Can't get it to load. Anyway, the peak numbers are at 5400, lines are nearly flat from 4200 to 5600, stay strong right to the rev limiter which is set at 6200. I'll try to get some pics of the engine tomorrow if time permits. Looks great, too!!!!

had to put it in JPG, not what I had it in. I think some fairly nice numbers for a street engine.....
10-17-2006, 07:30 PM
Itoldyouso

Just yesterday I was wondering how you were coming on this, as you hadn't posted for a little while. Sure is different than picture number one!!:D :D

Looks really good. I've never used POR15, but it lays down a nice coating doesn't it?

Very nice.

Don
10-17-2006, 07:34 PM
Dave Severson

Got it painted under the hood, waiting for the rest of the suspension pieces to get here so we can put them on. Then it's out to the big shop and switch roofs with a donor car, Joe wants T-Tops!!!! After that it'll be time for the new engine and transmission...... Lots of work left to do.
11-16-2006, 02:36 PM
Dave Severson

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Well, the suspension is all back on. Ended up having to put a couple patch panels in on the rear behind the back bumper support, and on the right quarter panel behind the wheel well. A few more parts to put on, then it's out to the body shop for the conversion to a t-top car. Here's a pic with the new parts on the car. Progress is good, Joe is happy but as with any customer I've ever had, impatient as all get out!!!! Told him the other day I have two work speeds.... If he doesn't like this one, he certainly won't like the other one!!!!!!:LOL: :LOL:
12-19-2006, 09:27 PM
sleeve396

Hysterical!!!! I know that taste!! My 68 has been parked soo long I think a possum is getting squatters rights to it!
12-20-2006, 03:11 AM
Dave Severson

Quote:

Originally Posted by sleeve396

Hysterical!!!! I know that taste!! My 68 has been parked soo long I think a possum is getting squatters rights to it!

Man, you gotta watch them possums!!!! They'll file for abandoned vehicle title and wind up owning the car!!!!!:LOL: :LOL:

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