[Old-Goat]

I'm bummed.....

I got this car 6 weeks ago and have removed the front clip and dissambled the motor down to the block. While I was working on the front of the car I noticed that it looked like there was a little rust around the upper corner of the windshield on the passenger side. I pulled to headliner out tonight and was agahst at the amount of rust I saw around the windshield. I knew I was going to have to replace the lower windshield channel and a bit of the dash but I was not prepared for this. I took out the windshield and got out my grinder with a wire brush and found the following:

For about a foot from the upper corner of the windshield toward the there is pretty much nothing but rust where the channel for the windshield should be. Someone had bondoed (sp?) the channel over the rust.

Inside, there is a metal piece in the corner (looks like a reinforcing piece) that the visor bracket attaches to that is also a ball of rust.

In the lower channel (in the corner) someone had welded some metal to make the corners whole again but it has rusted through as well.

I tried to strip the paint from the upper corner of the roof and there was about an inch of bondo (thats an inch deep)where I had expected to hit lead from the factory, and once i got to metal it looked like swiss cheese.

I guess what I am asking is besides the lower windshield channel dose anyone make replacement parts for the roof line and pillars that go around the windshield? Do I need a donor car and start cutting? I am brand new to this restoration stuff and could use some advice. Thanks.

[kidgoat]

Grab some sheet metal and strat cutting and hammering and dollying. It all gets covered up by the windshield and trim, and then gets painted after that. My windshield area was pretty bad (not the worst I am sure, but definately not the best either). It had bog holes in the bottom, holes in the sides, and holes in the top. I cut out all of the thin metal, welded new sheetmetal in, made sure that it was rigid enough, and put a little duraglas over that. Then it was ready for paint. Look perfect now, even without buying the replacement piece for the lower channel (time and budget constraints would not allow it). -Jesse

[karl emerick]

no repro parts to my knowledge

easier if you have a donor car. go for as large a chunk(s) of metal as possible.

harder if you have nothing but sheet metal and metal bending /stretching / shrinking tools.

hardest will be flat pieces of metal and few tools / skills / experience

fortunately there are a lot of donor cars from dry climates where the windshield channel is good

[400 4spd.]

Gene, I have a GTO parts car that might have some good sections that you could use. Is there any way you can send me some pictures of what you need?

[karl emerick]

and you didn't ask so maybe I should shut up but........

if it's the moist climate 'sitting rust' where dirt, leaves, pine needles, moss, etc. collect in the channels and pool the water the rear window is even more prone to rusting out.
better check it too before you start buying parts.

there are many posts targeting the usual rust areas on the 67 A-bodies

[Old-Goat]

I really appreciate all you input. I don't have a digital camera 400 4spd ( it may just be a good time to get one). Let me see what I can do for a pic sometime this week.

Karl, Unfortunately I fall into the 3rd class (flat metal and no skills .... yet). I have decided to forget the front end/chassis/engine that I was working on and I am going to concentrate on stripping this thing down to metal to see just what it is I am dealing with. I knew there was alot of rust but I had no idea. I know it will need trunk pans, the rear filler panel with window channel, 3 floor pans inside. I can see bubbled bondo at one of the sail panels, the pass side pillar is in need if rebuilding out to about a foot into the windshield. This thing is a rust bomb. Maybe I should get a donor body and just transfer over the tags and parts. Let me see what I can do for pictures this week, and thanks again to all.

[karl emerick]

based on your description......OUCH!!!

agree, if it's totally a 'rust bomb' you should should take a realistic assessment of what you have before you spend additional time/energy/cash.

better not to get in the swamp up to your ass before you see the alligators.

good luck and keep us posted on that nice, southern body

[carcrazy]

Boy have I been there! No replacement parts other than the lower channel. I was lucky enough to find a complete new metal dash section instead of the repair panel. I had to fabricate everything else. Have you pulled to rear glass yet? There may be more of the same!
Good luck!

[Old-Goat]

I just got a throw away camera and took some pictures. I should be able to post them on Sat or so.

[Old-Goat]

It looked pretty sweet when I bought it. That painted bondo looks good and the shadows are hiding the rust on the hood.

[Old-Goat]

http://mapserver.americantower.com/w...ad car 002.jpg

[Old-Goat]

ok....I give up.....how do you post a pic?

[Old-Goat]

lets try this

[Old-Goat]

I finally got some pictures

[Old-Goat]

How do you post pictures???

[Old-Goat]

This is frustrating

[Old-Goat]

car on the way home Jan 2004

[Old-Goat]

The fun begins

[Old-Goat]

Rust everywhere

[Old-Goat]

roof is really bad for a foot to 18" from pass corner inward.