[TMack63nova]

The passenger side wheel well on my 63 Nova has a hole rusted through the material. This goes into the area by the floor vent. So how do I go about completing the repair??? The drivers side is soft but there is no holes so I will replace or repair this side also.. I'll be standing by waiting for the tips of the trade.

Thanks in advance!!

:ragtop:

 

[PCPete]

Replace some metal

It depends on your goals, skill levels, patience and tools available. If your goal is to be 100% correct you are looking at some serious cutting and welding. The worst plan would be to fill it with bondo and call it good. So, if somewhere in the middle is where you want to go, then there is still some cutting out to do. Get the rusted area really cleaned up on both sides and then you can make some patches out of 18ga sheet stock and weld them in. I'd use met-al filler to smooth it out a bit and protect the area, then seal and paint it. It's not an easy area to work, and be sure to keep the drain holes open so water will drain through.

Let us know what you are thinking as an overall plan and we can provide more concrete ideas.

 

[TMack63nova]

It depends on your goals, skill levels, patience and tools available. If your goal is to be 100% correct you are looking at some serious cutting and welding. The worst plan would be to fill it with bondo and call it good. So, if somewhere in the middle is where you want to go, then there is still some cutting out to do. Get the rusted area really cleaned up on both sides and then you can make some patches out of 18ga sheet stock and weld them in. I'd use met-al filler to smooth it out a bit and protect the area, then seal and paint it. It's not an easy area to work, and be sure to keep the drain holes open so water will drain through.

Let us know what you are thinking as an overall plan and we can provide more concrete ideas.

Thanks for the information!! I would like to do it right so that it's done and I don't have to come back to it. I'm not a body guy but I can get if done with the right instructions. So give me all the ideas you have.

Thanks!!

:ragtop:

 

[65novaken]

if it was me,i would all undercoating and see how much area needs to be cut out.its not that bad of a job......if i can do it anyone can

 

[TMack63nova]

if it was me,i would all undercoating and see how much area needs to be cut out.its not that bad of a job......if i can do it anyone can

Yes, I will get rid of the undercoating and see just what I'm dealing with. I want to get this repaired so that I don't have to come back to it. I'm also in the process of swapping in a 327.

Thanks!

:ragtop:

 

[EARLYIIS]

Here is what I got into on my 64 if you haven't seen it. Hopefully yours is not very bad, can be a bit of work to fix this area of the car.

http://www.stevesnovasite.com/forums/showthread.php?t=120501

http://www.stevesnovasite.com/forums/showthread.php?t=120065

EarlyIIS

 

[Kid63]

Agree with the guys above. That's kinda what had to be done on mine but ended up just replacing everything. When you strip it down to metal show us what you're working with

 

[TMack63nova]

EarlyIIS & Kid63, thanks for the information!! I don't think mine is that bad, but until I tear into it I just don't know. I'll post pictures when I get into this part.

:ragtop:

 

[skrymir]

You need to pull the fender and look at the bottom near the rusted out part. I dont think I have ever seen one rust out through the front before the sides get rusted out.

 

[asteeler4life]

FINDING A DONOR PIECE IN GOOD ENOUGH SHAPE TO PATCH IT IN, WILL BE HARD! I DID AND RECOMMEND THE 18 GUAGE SHEET METAL ROUTE. I PATCHED MY FLOORS AND SOME AREAS ON THE UNDERSIDE!

 

[TMack63nova]

I'm almost afraid to start tearing into it. With my luck it would become a full out repair.

:ragtop:

 

[asteeler4life]

IF YOUR LUCK IS ANY LIKE MINE, LEAVE IT BE!

 

[voodeuce]

i did it the easy way!

 

[Kid63]

i did it the easy way!

Plug it with chewing gum?

 

[Kid63]

I'm almost afraid to start tearing into it. With my luck it would become a full out repair.

:ragtop:

It's gotta be done before it gets worse! I learned the hard way to do it right the first time round.

 

[voodeuce]

Plug it with chewing gum?

yup, heres the link i forgot. it even tells you where to get the best deal on the chewing gum.

 

[PCPete]

Fear

It's the only thing stopping you. It's also a great time to add to your tool box. You tube has lots of videos of body repair and metalworking.

 

[FST_FWD]

Generally if it's rusted through you can count on multiplying the size of the repair area 3-4 times. That heavy undercoat is not doing you any favors, once that heavy tar starts to dry out and split it's a water trap. Once you find out just how big the repair area is if done right you can panel bond in a patch without welding if it's not to large.

 

[voodeuce]

Generally if it's rusted through you can count on multiplying the size of the repair area 3-4 times. That heavy undercoat is not doing you any favors, once that heavy tar starts to dry out and split it's a water trap. Once you find out just how big the repair area is if done right you can panel bond in a patch without welding if it's not to large.

x2, i totally agree with FST_FWD.:yes:

 

[Kid63]

Have you gone into fixing this area yet? i didn't have any pics of this area to post for you