Replacing back of the boot and two bottom corners

[JOeyKnapp]

Hmm..

I am not sure how I will get in to weld the seam of the rear trunk piece and the bottom corner repair pieces (they form the visible seam at the bottom of each rear fender).

I haven't cut the replacement part out yet to see what the factory did, because I ordered the wrong part and am waiting on them to come in.

Any advice?

 

[nomad]

On my 65 I got rid of the rust pocket and welded a piece straight from the trunk deck to the outer fender. The factory wanted to spot weld everything and end up with a smooth outer surface which is why they did as they did. We don't need to worry about that since we will be using a little filler to smooth things up anyway.

Kurt.

 

[JOeyKnapp]

I am trying to keep at least the body as original as possible, I don't want to ruin my cash cow when the market turns on these things and they become gold!

I was looking at it a little more tonite. It looks like the seam is welded from the outside and brazed at the top. I am thinking about using some body sealer/epoxy on the seam inbetween the top and bottom to glue it together. Plenty of new cars use this technique.. (of course, leaving the gap on the outside, I like the gap!)

 

[JOeyKnapp]

So, now my plan includes replacing the inner and outer bottom pieces. I have the passenger side inner part out and will get the driver's side next. I am thinking that once both of those are out (and pending my floor repair solution) that I will install the back middle piece and then cut out the outer bottom pieces that need to be replaced. That will give me access to the seam so I can weld it.
I was a little disappointed with the outer repair pieces, I was hoping that they would extend to the seam and include the top foldover piece that is the bottom of the taillight area. It's more like a slightly curved patch panel. I will end up leaving the factory metal on the outside of the seam, and buttwelding the panel in.