'70 Vert - waited long enough...

[gzig5]

At some point I'm going to have to deal with rust in this area. I'm hoping I don't need to remove that but if that's what it takes, so be it.

View attachment 133496

If anyone has any advice I'd appreciate it.

Looks like most of it is in decent enough shape from the small picture and if it's hidden, I would just stabilize it and move on. If it is too thin or holey for comfort, I attack areas like that a little bit at a time. Try and cut out small areas at a time and fab the replacement to stitch weld back in if you can't source a full or partial replacement part. Again, if it is hidden under an interior panel get it close. The final shape isn't that important unless you are OCD or doing a high end concours rebuild. I understand wanting it to be all original but if it's a support panel or something hidden under headliner or trim, I move on to bigger fish.

 

[Cuda416]

Looks like most of it is in decent enough shape from the small picture and if it's hidden, I would just stabilize it and move on. If it is too thin or holey for comfort, I attack areas like that a little bit at a time. Try and cut out small areas at a time and fab the replacement to stitch weld back in if you can't source a full or partial replacement part. Again, if it is hidden under an interior panel get it close. The final shape isn't that important unless you are OCD or doing a high end concours rebuild. I understand wanting it to be all original but if it's a support panel or something hidden under headliner or trim, I move on to bigger fish.

Thanks, unfortunately it's a vert only part that makes up the rain well and mounting point for the convertible top base. Basically, it's where the tack strip goes. There is "gutter" attached as well. No concourse here, and it appears to be surface rust but I'm worried about what's on the other side. This car sat in a single car garage for over 30 years rotting away from ambient moisture so it's likely there is corrosion on the other side and/or between it and what it's connected to. I'll know more when I dig into it.

 

[Cuda_mark]

Just taking a look at your thread and I wanted to let you know 2 things that I found when my 70 vert. First, the AMD floors had the wrong size seat belt bolt threads on the 2 inner holes. They were one size too big. No big deal but I couldn't use original seat belt bolts. Also, make sure you switch over the spare tire bracket to the vert only style. The one you showed in the link has a hardtop style.

 

[Cuda416]

Just taking a look at your thread and I wanted to let you know 2 things that I found when my 70 vert. First, the AMD floors had the wrong size seat belt bolt threads on the 2 inner holes. They were one size too big. No big deal but I couldn't use original seat belt bolts. Also, make sure you switch over the spare tire bracket to the vert only style. The one you showed in the link has a hardtop style.

Thanks for the heads up @Cuda_mark , I was aware of the spare hold down, but not the seat belt holes. That's good to know. Is it possible the case where they are larger on a 71? I know the floor changed, but maybe the bolts are stronger on 71+ cars? Just spitballing an idea.

 

[Cuda416]

Trying to get going again, had some things get in my way but they've passed now.

I'm looking for the height of two points of the frame rails and can't seem to find them.

1. Leaf spring shackle mounting hole from center to datum line
2. Height of the front-most bumper bracket bolt hole

Also, for the vert folks, the distance from the tip of the windshield frame to the top of the rear jam. I've measured 30" on both sides so I know they are the same, however I've seen the same measurement on a challenger vert at 29-1/2"

 

[Cuda416]

Finally making some real progress. Removed most of the floor, and trunk, left the transmission tunnel to act as a brace between the firewall and cross member. Outer rockers, like most of the car are completely shot but I'm hopeful for the inner rockers.

 

[marksmopars]

Inner does look ok in pic.

 

[NxCoupe]

Did you make the chassis jig from someone's plans or just sketch it out yourself?

 

[Cuda416]

Did you make the chassis jig from someone's plans or just sketch it out yourself?

It's my own design.

 

[Cuda416]

@NxCoupe , thought my previous response seemed a bit terse. That's what happens when I post half asleep, lol.

I tend to over engineer/complicate things that don't need it. I built it with the following guidelines.

1. Had be able to takt it apart to store.
2. Had to be rigid enough to move without disturbing the alignment
3. Had to be usable for any Mopar I would want to put on it.

Knowing what I know now, I'd probably just build one like Rick does at Carthage Classic Cars. Simple "I" beam rectangle with welded on supports as needed. I also like how he used an old k frame as his front frame rail location "jig". Kind of hard to mess that up.

Things I need to add to my current jig.

1. Pinch clamps for rockers. I'll need them for when the rear section is replaced and the car is no longer supported by the frame rails. Got this idea from another board member , then recently saw a post on a FB page doing the same thing. I was originally going to make some out of 1/2 plate cuz I didn't realize they made small pull clamps. I'd see the standard setup on a frame jig but these smaller clamps are perfect for my needs.

2. Something like what Rick does for the K-Frame but I don't think I'll be using a K-Frame. I'll likely use a k-frame as a jig to build a locator fixture. I'm thinking the same 2" .180 wall tube I used for the overall jig. I'll drill the mounting holes in the ends of some tube, bolt them to the k-frame then weld support structure. Once I add these two elements I'll post details.

 

[NxCoupe]

@NxCoupe , thought my previous response seemed a bit terse. That's what happens when I post half asleep, lol.

I tend to over engineer/complicate things that don't need it. I built it with the following guidelines.

1. Had be able to takt it apart to store.
2. Had to be rigid enough to move without disturbing the alignment
3. Had to be usable for any Mopar I would want to put on it.

Knowing what I know now, I'd probably just build one like Rick does at Carthage Classic Cars. Simple "I" beam rectangle with welded on supports as needed. I also like how he used an old k frame as his front frame rail location "jig". Kind of hard to mess that up.

Things I need to add to my current jig.

1. Pinch clamps for rockers. I'll need them for when the rear section is replaced and the car is no longer supported by the frame rails. Got this idea from another board member , then recently saw a post on a FB page doing the same thing. I was originally going to make some out of 1/2 plate cuz I didn't realize they made small pull clamps. I'd see the standard setup on a frame jig but these smaller clamps are perfect for what my needs.

2. Something like what Rick does for the K-Frame but I don't think I'll be using a K-Frame. I'll likely use a k-frame as a jig to build a locator fixture. I'm thinking the same 2" .180 wall tube I used for the overall jig. I'll drill the mounting holes in the ends of some tube, bolt them to the k-frame then weld support structure. Once I add these two elements I'll post details.

Thanks. I need to make one too, and I will need to parallel your design targets of being able to take it apart and store it out if the way, and also conform to different body styles and years. I have A,B and E body projects I need to get moving on. I appreucate you taking the time to explain and detail what you are doing.

 

[Cuda416]

Thanks. I need to make one too, and I will need to parallel your design targets of being able to take it apart and store it out if the way, and also conform to different body styles and years. I have A,B and E body projects I need to get moving on. I appreucate you taking the time to explain and detail what you are doing.

No problem at all. I look forward to seeing what you come up with.

 

[Cuda416]

Small non-progress update.

Turns out 1" threaded rod makes a really bad locator pin. Seems obvious now, but the threads catch the sheet metal as well as allow it to move ever so slightly.

Solution was simple, 1" bolts with the heads cut off and we're back to awesome again.

Next are the pull clamps I'm going to use to hold the car up by the rocker pinch when the frame/cross-member support isn't present, or just whenever I want some extra support for this thing. There will be some sort of support for these to bolt to that spans the jig somehow.