Cutting off the sail panel....

[mbmmca]

I didn't know where to put this so I chose here. I am replacing a 1/4 panel on a 67 camaro coupe. The original sail panel is in great shape. Anyone have thoughts on cutting off the sail on the replacment 1/4 and replacing only up to the window?

[Len]

I didn't know where to put this so I chose here. I am replacing a 1/4 panel on a 67 camaro coupe. The original sail panel is in great shape. Anyone have thoughts on cutting off the sail on the replacment 1/4 and replacing only up to the window?

What part of the panel is damaged? If it's not damaged above the peak we usually cut along the side and leave the trunk gap alone. If there is damage above the peak we usually cut below the window and sail panel.

[mbmmca]

The guy I got the car from did a complete hack job. He welded (if that's what you want to call it) a 1/4 skin only to an original 1/4 that had been cut out. The inner wheel house was cut at the weld flange. Replacing that too. We have removed the skin and are dryfitting a full 1/4. The original is good from the corner of the rear window up. Had the skin been done correctly and the wheel house left alone we would have been fine. Does that answer your question?

[Phil V]

There is several different answers to your question, it just depends on what you're looking for as the end result. If you plan on doing a correct restoration then the whole new quarter should be installed. I've replaced many quarter panels in several different dealerships and independantly owned bodyshops. We rarely replaced a full factory quarter. We usually trimmed the new quarter at the lower rear corner of the quarter side glass then angled that cut to the corner where the sail panel and rear glass panel meet (just forward of the deck lid forward corner. That included Mercedes and Cadillac dealership body shops (as well as Ford, Pontiac, Oldmobile, Dodge/Plymouth etc). Never could force myself to work in a Honda, Toyota etc dealership bodyshop.

What type of repair are you looking for as the end result ?

[mbmmca]

This is exactly what we have planned. My goal is a clean, unnoticable weld. The 1/4 is a Goodmark. Initial dryfit stinks. This is going to take some work. Because of that issue, we are considering a 80% panel for the other side. Thoughts on that?
Now we just have to get the weather to cooperate. 8 inches of snow is no help.

[MARTINSR]

I think the concern Len had is real. If the repro panels fit is poor leaving that deck lid area original could be an advantage. As far IF you are going to go up into the pillar, up a little higher than discussed is my vote.

I hang quarters on a regular basis and the basic rule is to cut at the narrowest point of the piller that you can. So to drill the spot welds on the rear window and quarter window pinch welds and make this cut up the pillar is MUCH better.

Going all the way up to where the original is attached is perfect, but as Phil said, not very practical.

Brian

[Len]

This is the way we usually replace the quarter by cutting a couple inches below the peak so that the trunk gap and the welds in the trunk jamb are not touched. We have also cut the quarter so that we leave the door gap and jamb alone. We almost always use the backing strip method when we replace a partial panel. We use cut-off disks to cut the old quarter and use an electric shear for the new quarter, neither tool will distort the edge and both give you close control over your cut.


http://autobodystore.net/Merchant2/graphics/00000001/NOR89030.jpghttp://autobodystore.net/Merchant2/graphics/00000001/mlk6850.jpg

Metal Cutting Tools Link (http://autobodystore.net/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=CTGY&Category_Code=CDB)

[mbmmca]

The question has once again come up as to what to do with the other side of the camaro. We are replacing one quarter with a full, just cutting off the sail. Since money is an issue we are still considering going with a 80% quarter on the other side. Does anyone have a top view of a 80% so we can see how close to the trunk gutter it goes? I have seen plenty of side views however can't seem to find a top view...