Yo!
The CO forum is dead again, so you'll just have to listen to me,...again.
Still driving the Camaro, but have located a rear valance (Classic Industries) for the bodyshop, and found out today that I can get a replacement impact strip from one of our nastyz28.com members. The bodyshop was at a loss to find either,...even the valance!
FRANKENTRUCK's driver's door has a newly welded hinge side, and seems to be withstanding use after aligning, even with the new weatherstripping.
And I finished the floorboards. They were rusted and a small hole had formed near the driver's door. Now they're solid, and will drain any water efficiently. For the first time in years, the truck's cab is again sealed against the elements.
The truck's new radiator finally shipped after three months on order! And I've finally assembled all the items necessary to swap the axles in these two trucks. Rears first,...then install the powertrain, then front axles.
I love it when a plan comes together!
Any of you working on your Camaros/vehicles? Todd.

Todd, what up? Sounds like things are rolling the right direction on your projects. I can't get to anything on my Camaro right now. Have the deck tore apart in the backyard, replacing it with some of the new composite boards. Also have been working on the boat, it's fishin season!

Anyway, tell me how you repaired your floor pan, I've got one on my passenger side that has some rot in it, almost through in some small nickel sized spots.

Thanks

Yeah, the FRANKENTRUCK seems to be coming along. Today I removed all the attachments for the rear axle except for one resistant leaf-spring bolt,...turns, but won't back out. I'll conquer it tomorrow,...too much sun, heat, and exhaustion today. Then will come the same accomplishment on the rusted '73! Should be MUCH tougher!
Nobody likes my sheetmetal repair ideas. Been professing them for years on the forum, but all the other members WANT welded sheetmetal repairs. Sorry, I don't have the expertise or time to do welded steel repairs to all my cars at this time,...REAL repairs will come later, but for now I need to protect what still remains! First order of business with ALL projects is rust stabilization and weatherproofing.
NAPA "Rust Treatment" used to be "EXTEND". It's a Permatex product that stabilises rust, and seals it, drying to a black primer in about 12 hours. Almost no prep is required. Then I use a two-part polyesther plastic compound called CUZ to bodyfill. I use aluminum window screen as a backing matrix when the defect exceeds 1/4". I have one car with it's entire lower rear quarter panel replaced with CUZ and screen, and after over 70,000 road miles, the repair has not peeled, cracked, or split. Here's a pic of the truck's finished floorboards after MANY thin coats of the filler.
http://img402.imageshack.us/img402/8117/franckentruckfloor004mevh0.jpg
By wetminkey (http://profile.imageshack.us/user/wetminkey), shot with DSC-N1 (http://profile.imageshack.us/camerabuy.php?model=DSC-N1&make=SONY) at 2008-06-10
Driver's fender repaired in the same manner. Of course, any disasterously rusted panels need to be replaced, but this can save the "moth-eaten" ones with good results. And any repaired panels can easily be replaced at a later date.
FRANKENTRUCK will probably NEVER require replacement of any of it's repaired panels in my lifetime,...it's a working truck. My '76 Camaro, and '68 Mustang could be a different story, however, because they could eventually become investments. But their interiors, and remaining exterior sheetmetal, are protected by the body repairs for now.
No matter how you look at it, repair or replace, otherwise the steel will rot further. This allows a cheap, quick repair that could last for years, if necessary.
Hope this will help you preserve and enjoy your vehicle! Todd.

Thanks for the info Todd, I'm in the same boat you are. I know a welder that I can take things to, but for now I'm going to print out your info and try it on my floor board when I get some time. Thanks again

Yo! Forester! Glad to be able to help in any manner,...
That's why I, and many others of us, belong to the forum,...simply to pass along the "tips and tricks" of keeping these old vehicles that we love so much on the road! I can only hope that I have another opportunity to help yourself, or another member, again soon! Todd.