First things first, I'm a total amatuer at body work. And my fabrication skills aren't the greatest either. The fenders behind the front wheels are bad so I decided to buy some replacement panels from year one. I cut the fender to the hight of the replacement panel. I also cut the brace from behind the fender because it was very rusty. I made an attempt to lengthen the brace that I cutoff with some light guage steel I had around. I slid in the replacement panel. I'm having a really hard time aligning the panel so that my doors do not hit it when I open them. There is also a big gap from inside the wheel well to the new panel that the trim wont cover up. Basically, I'M FED UP. I do not have much patience when it comes to body work. :rant: My dilema now is, should I take the car to a body shop so they can fix all the rusty spots. Also some rusted spots under the wheel trim. The back behind the rear wheel needs some attention too. Any advice on what I should do? The attached picture is before I cut that brace about 2 inches from the bend, and before I sandblasted and primered.
You have more wrong than the fender there. You need professional help. Start by buying a fender with less rust.... its going to be tough to save that fender now even with George N's back reinforcement peices.
You make it sound like I have a mental disorder. I'm just kidding. :TU: How much am I looking at $$$ wise for a new set of inner and outer fenders used? And how difficult is it replace them. I'm in no rush. (Well maybe before my buddy's wedding in Febuary, if the snow is gone ) Is that bulky thing behind the brace in my picture part of the fender?? I'm such a noob. o No: Thanks
Looks to me that the lower cowl is gone too. You will need to section in that too. Most decent shops can do that easily enough if you have the parts found already. (take a better and closer shot of the lower cowl and I can tell for sure) The inner fender should be easy to find as its a left. The fender wont be to bad either for that matter.
Whats the cowl? I tried a quick search and I couldn't find out. You say its easy to find because its a left. The right is just as bad. I have the replacement panels rivited on just to cover it up temporaraly. I'll get them off tommorow maybe.
Boy, what did I get myself into. My uncle that passed away, previous owner of the car, had the bottom of the fenders repaired very poorly. This is the result... So the whole front of the car is the cowl, outer fender, and inner fender (plus the front clip and all that). Is that brace seperate in all that stuff?
NO the cowl is the area that the fenders bolt to. It also goes up under the windsheild area the inner fenders also bolt to the front of the firewall which is sorta connected to the cowl. which is connected to the............. oh sorry a song got in my head for a secou:
I put an add in the Portland Craigs list for rust free right front fender.I found one for $180.00.It only has one small ding,and some very light surface rust on the top.Then I realized I also needed a left front fender.I just picked one up Friday,also in Portland.I got it from a forum member.It was $300.00,and in perfect shape.I really didn't think I'd find one here in the rainy Northwest.Try searching,they are out there.
Slawek, these are the pieces you need lower part of the cowl. you can see where the fender bolts on at the bottom where yours are gone these are pretty decent , not perfect. but like mike said , you are going to need a pro to install them. if you cant find better ones, you can have these for 50.00 plus shipping. I can cut them off next Monday. Larry
I might be seeing things but it looks to me like the FRAME is badly rusted through as well fenders will not help this puppy at all just my observation Ken
uclelar, If slawek passes on the driver side cowl piece, I would be more than happy to take it off your hands. Thanks, RoadDawg
got your PM, been busy getting ready for vaction. I will try and get pics before I leave. I will be going to NC on Saturday.coming back thru Ohio next week and stopping @ BPG Friday and Saturday
Hi everybody, going back to this topic. I'm going to have some time these next few weekends, and I want to do some work on my fenders. I figured that I am going to try the patch panels again. I sandblasted everything in the picture and its still pretty solid except part of the lower lip. I need to know if I can get a replacement for the brace that is in the picture, I cut it horizontally about 2 inches below the bend. Any suggestions would be appreciated. Thanks
