81 Oldsmopile ( G-body rust repair )

[EME_Mack]

Its been a wile since i touched the cutty, but started rebuilding the front rocker lower A pillar were the fender bolts too.

Heres the bracket that holds the "U-nut" (just googled It, never knew the official name). Its solid but seems easy enough to replicate. and the original is crusty lookin.

Heres the bit I cut off the car missing the metal that holds the little box

Now I just need to wait until my rocker shows up so I can finish this side of the car up, and start on the drivers side.

 

[Geo's66]

I'll never b*tch about my frame off project again, lol.... Question for you, once done with all the body work, what type of drivetrain goes into this? You mentioned earlier in your post to sell, what would you hope for it, obviously dependent on drivetrain choice... Thanks- been teaching us a lot!

 

[EME_Mack]

I put a 98 vortec 305 in it before starting the body work, original 3spd but keeping an eye out for a better rear gear ratio. It came stock with a 2.21 I think. Im just trying to put together a nice cruiser type car so the 230hp will be plenty. If i get equal to what I put into it ill be happy. Not trying to make a bunch of money off the deal I just really enjoy working on old cars.

 

[Geo's66]

Got it... The 78 Monte I'm frame-off'ing is a factory 4 speed but I'm re-doing the drivetrain and keeping it... Keep us posted on yours, this is really cool. How'd you learn to weld that well?

Thanks,
George

 

[EME_Mack]

I did some welding in high school but the the best place to learn to weld is live in the rust belt and only drive cheap old cars. Basically non stop rocker repairs.

 

[kustomkyle]

Great job on everything so far. I would like to think that if I put that much work into something I wouldn't be able to part with it.

My Regal isn't nearly as bad as far as I can see, but I have had the rear frame rails replaced (Conrad Lozier kit). I also had to fix the inner fender well, but like you ended up having to replace the edge of the trunk floor where it meets up to. This all extended into the rear seat well area, where about 3 layers if metal come together and overlap, so of course that needed work. Still have to cut a section of the floor out to access the rear floor brace which is rotted right at the end where it connects to the inner rocker. Already made a piece to put in there, but won't really know if it will fit/work until I dig into it.

 

[Geo's66]

Kyle what make welder do you use?

 

[EME_Mack]

So after ordering the passenger rocker 3 different times and reciving driver side ones, then ordering a left instead. the rocker I have been waiting on for 2 months finally showed. It is labeled as left hand, but its a passenger side rocker

Here it is fitted on the car. Checking to make sure all the work I've done lines up and fits

I mounted the door to make sure the body lines match up and the gap between the door and rocker is even front to back. The door bottom is pretty much crafted from bondo, so its not exactly flat but the gap looks good.

Now I can start to fabricate this little corner down here then weld her up.

I pre drilled the inner and outer rocker to be plug welded together, but Im not sure on what im going to do for the inside cavity of the rocker. Should I remove the EDP coating or scuff it and paint it with some sort of sealerIll have to consult a body guy. I'll prob end up using a urethane primer or epoxy to seal it. If anyone has any ideas im all ears.

 

[Rktpwrd]

So after ordering the passenger rocker 3 different times and reciving driver side ones, then ordering a left instead. the rocker I have been waiting on for 2 months finally showed. It is labeled as left hand, but its a passenger side rocker

Here it is fitted on the car. Checking to make sure all the work I've done lines up and fits

View attachment 43888
View attachment 43889 View attachment 43892 View attachment 43893

I mounted the door to make sure the body lines match up and the gap between the door and rocker is even front to back. The door bottom is pretty much crafted from bondo, so its not exactly flat but the gap looks good.

View attachment 43894
View attachment 43896

Now I can start to fabricate this little corner down here then weld her up.

View attachment 43899 View attachment 43900

I pre drilled the inner and outer rocker to be plug welded together, but Im not sure on what im going to do for the inside cavity of the rocker. Should I remove the EDP coating or scuff it and paint it with some sort of sealerIll have to consult a body guy. I'll prob end up using a urethane primer or epoxy to seal it. If anyone has any ideas im all ears.

Just a former body guy chipping in here. Been following your thread since the beginning and have to say, your perseverance and skills are impressive. You're doing fantastic work and putting the time and effort in to save one that most others would have passed over or parted out.
My hat is off to you sir.

As far as what to do in your questioned area, the EDP primer is strongly recommended to be left on by most manufacturers for corrosion resistance. A thorough scuff with a red scotchbrite pad followed by a couple coats of a quality epoxy primer is all that should be required in that area.
Hope this helps you out, keep up the incredible work.
Donovan

 

[EME_Mack]

Thanks for the words of wisdom Rktpwrd. Now if i could find a dealer for SPI epoxy in Canada close by I think I will go that route. I only hear good things about that product on every forum I visit.