My 74 build progress

Please keep posting...this is good stuff.

I always appreciate the time and effort that members take to post project updates with photos!
Even if there are no/limited comments, I have a strong belief that these types of posts will be helpful to other members in the future.
Keep up the good work

Looks like you are doing a good job of attacking all the problem areas. You will end up with a solid car good for another 50 years.

Yeah. I forgot how difficult butt welding sheet metal is. I have much to learn in this discipline. Im sweating the quarters and they are on the “not too distant” horizon. Im very reluctant to flange on curved panels but those things are going to miles of stitch welds otherwise.

Eastwood makes a tool “Perfect” something or other that puts a bevel on the edges for butt welding. Thinking of trying that. Seems like a sound strategy with less distortion.

In the meantime, my floorpans and fuel cell came in. I can go to work on them. The fuel cell will bring on more fabrication. Im considering using round tube for the structure...because i have some.


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I was the same way with butt welding but practice will get you there. The tough part is when you're butt welding up to metal that looks okay but you cant see how compromised by rust it is on the backside thus burning through. Frustrating!!! You probably know this but avoid doing flux welding and do true MIG with argon. Stitch welding is the only way to go with these projects. I did do some lap welding of the floor pans in the beginning without flanges welding both sides and properly sealing. Came out looking great and I have no regrets. You are doing a great job eliminating the rusted parts out. It's all worth it in the end. I had to do the exact same section on the cowl as you did. The Nova's all seem to rust the same way.

You may have already figured this out but do all the interior body work that you can while the car is on it's side. It's great being able to go through the windshield opening and being able to stand inside. I missed a couple things and now I'm hating life trying to contort myself inside the car.

Whoops...i meant passenger side.


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kimmer71 said:

Yes! I was in there a good bit today. Ive already done the seats. Still have cage bars to fully weld too. Anything else i may be overlooking? Appreciate the heads up.

Heres where i am at the end of today. Managed to get all (Driver side FP, toe kick) the rot cut out. Cleaned up some flanges. I keep a small shop vac nearby to periodically clean up my mess and keep the car clean.

I’ll start piecing it back together tomorrow night. 20ga for the toe kick and 14 ga for the body mount. Not sure if I’ll need to roll any beads in the toe kick. Ill see how the panel shapes up first.


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Checked out the rest of your build today, not much more I can offer you're doing a great job. Your build is quite extensive, looks awesome.

Perfect use for file folders.

Man you just keep banging away at it. Good job!

BLYOTH said:

Man you just keep banging away at it. Good job!

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Thanks man - more tonight! Not sure how long this new-found determination will last but I'll run with it for as long as it does.