opinions wanted on how to fix my 71 cuda

[black69]

I finally (after 5yrs of storage since I bought it), brought my black cuda home to get it on its way to being preserved and running (as a survivor). Its 100% original (rust was a day 2 option). It cleaned up fairly nice.

Any ideas if a plasma cutter or a grinding wheel would be precise enough to save the top part of the rear quarter above the center line? please see pictures. I plan to find someone local to take his time and save as much original metal and paint on the car.

-bob

http://i358.photobucket.com/albums/oo29/xxxblack69/DSC04979.jpg
http://i358.photobucket.com/albums/oo29/xxxblack69/DSC04995-1.jpg
http://i358.photobucket.com/albums/oo29/xxxblack69/DSC04976.jpg

[Postsedan]

Bob,

If we only could have had our date 4 years ago....man time flys. Best of luck with your car.

Dan

[black69]

dan,
I would do the work myself if you would set me up with the right way to cut out the old metal in my situation. I can also burn the hours to get a patch panel to fit the removed material, but then again, what is the right method. Then I would like to take it to someone to tack in and then finish. Then I could finish it and paint it (that I can do). Maybe you can show me the tools to buy to atleast do the cutting. A plasma cutting tool would also be a nice gift for myself (if that makes sense too).

[Schonyenko2]

It appears that you may also have outer wheelhouse issues, and maybe some trunk drop issues. Slicing at, or below the body line is possible, but not if you need to replace the outer wheel house. You may be best to go with a full qtr, or a skin. A lot will depend on how bad the outer wheel house is. FWIW

[firstgenaddict]

Just about anything can be fixed...especially if your own labor is being expended. I believe you are thinking along the correct lines as far as preservation.

[Postsedan]

Bob,

I sent you a pm.

Dan

[BARRY]

HI FIX IT RIGHT buy a new quarter and inner a get it done by a body man spend the money ONCE

[firstgenaddict]

BARRY I think he wants to preserve as much of the original paint and integrity as possible. Given the state of the rest of the car I would make every attempt to section and repair the car correctly retaining as much original paint as possible.

Use a pump and the safest rust remover to clean up the bad metal this will help and determine just how much needs to be cut back. The Rust remover is as gentle paint which does not have oxidized metal behind it, if it does the remover will dissolve the rust and the paint will float away.

[69Tom]

I also believe Easwood has some gel-type rust remover that is good for surfaces that are difficult to get at.

As stated above, that outer wheel-well could prove to be troublesome by needing replacement, and may determine how much of the quarter you need to cut.

[Lynn]

1. Remove radiator cap.
2. Have an assistant hold cap.
3. Put car in reverse, back up about 20 feet.
4. Drive a nice Camaro under the cap (be careful not to run over your assistant).
5. Replace cap.

YOU'RE DONE

[black69]

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Lynn</div><div class="ubbcode-body">1. Remove radiator cap.
2. Have an assistant hold cap.
3. Put car in reverse, back up about 20 feet.
4. Drive a nice Camaro under the cap (be careful not to run over your assistant).
5. Replace cap.

YOU'RE DONE</div></div>

I tried this, but the fire coming out of the cherry bombs under my nice camaro scared my assistant away when I started to back up.....:)

[njsteve]

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: black69</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Lynn</div><div class="ubbcode-body">1. Remove radiator cap.
2. Have an assistant hold cap.
3. Put car in reverse, back up about 20 feet.
4. Drive a nice Camaro under the cap (be careful not to run over your assistant).
5. Replace cap.

YOU'RE DONE</div></div>

I tried this, but the fire coming out of the cherry bombs under my nice camaro scared my assistant away when I started to back up.....:)

</div></div>

And he couldnt find the correct Ford &quot;Caution Fan&quot; sticker for it. :-)

But seriously,

I would do what needs to be done in order to correctly remove the rust and not worry about skimping in order to salvage an extra few inches of original black paint. There gets to be a point at which it is better to have a nice, solid, original car than an original paint, albeit rusty, car.

[70-SS/RS-L78]

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: njsteve</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: black69</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Lynn</div><div class="ubbcode-body">1. Remove radiator cap.
2. Have an assistant hold cap.
3. Put car in reverse, back up about 20 feet.
4. Drive a nice Camaro under the cap (be careful not to run over your assistant).
5. Replace cap.

YOU'RE DONE</div></div>

I tried this, but the fire coming out of the cherry bombs under my nice camaro scared my assistant away when I started to back up.....:)

</div></div>

And he couldnt find the correct Ford &quot;Caution Fan&quot; sticker for it. :-)

But seriously,

I would do what needs to be done in order to correctly remove the rust and not worry about skimping in order to salvage an extra few inches of original black paint. There gets to be a point at which it is better to have a nice, solid, original car than an original paint, albeit rusty, car.</div></div>

I agree with Steve, Do it right and put the full quarter on, You can probably get away with piecing the outer wheelhouse but why do something you will regret later..
That Cuda looks like a real nice car.
Also; I would not put a plasma cutter to that quarter unless you have plenty of fire extinguishers handy with a few friends on Fire Watch….