[flynthebird]

I have mad rust through the channels on the A and C pillars. Can I, or more to the point, how hard is it to weld new pieces of metal in the channel area? I would prefer not to have to replace the entire rear quarters just for the window channels. The A pillars are another problem. I'm buying a repop roof or a used one if I can get one in good shape. Also replacing the upper dash panel and trunk to window panel.
Here are some pics of the cars cancer. By the way, it's a 68 Firebird.

Barry

[flynthebird]

I have mad rust through the channels on the A and C pillars. Can I, or more to the point, how hard is it to weld new pieces of metal in the channel area? I would prefer not to have to replace the entire rear quarters just for the window channels. The A pillars are another problem. I'm buying a repop roof or a used one if I can get one in good shape. Also replacing the upper dash panel and trunk to window panel.
Here are some pics of the cars cancer. By the way, it's a 68 Firebird.

Barry

[flynthebird]

another pic

Barry

[flynthebird]

last pic

Barry

[cdn1972]

If you want the car fixed and are willing to learn or pay, anything can be done. I have started a restoration and learned to mig weld. It's not the best home restoration but its coming along.
You can see by all my rust areas including the rear deck and windshield bed it can be fixed.
Here is my site.
http://home.cogeco.ca/~kleahy13/index.htm

take your time and good luck

[Marty Phipps]

Fixable.
Blast the bad areas first.
Depending on the actual sizes a couple of different ways can repair.

Patch panels, full panels.

Brazing these areas of metal is another alternative to trying to weld.
Attention to removing ALL of the brazing flux afterwards is critical.

I've actually repaired window chanels before with 6" long rot holes.
Had to use brass to fill the voids, cuz the residual metal was too thin for welding.

Brazing also requires less heat then welding, less warpage if using gas.
Off hand, the window chanels don't look as bad as some I've seen

[carcrazy]

I did this same repair on my gto. The window channels were in much worse condition than yours!I had to fab the new channels. I'm not an expert by any means and had not done this before but the results were excellent. Good luck!

[PMDRACER]

The best way of course is to clean it all up, fab new pieces, and weld them in.
Short of that, POR-15 makes a pretty good kit for things like this that are not necessarilly in full view when the car is assembled. Here's a link. Trunk and floor patch.
Entire POR-15 website

TIGER EFI - Electronic Fuel Injection for the Traditional Pontiac Engine. bill@tigerefi.com

[flynthebird]

Thanks for the encouragement
I've decided to try to fab the channels. If I screw it up, I'll replace the panels.
Thanks everyone,

Barry