Brendon's '67 Firebird thread by Tuske427

4 minute(s) of a 286 minute read

It's been a couple of weeks since my last update. Last weekend I worked more on my friend's firebird than mine, so about all I got done was to fabricate a simple sheet metal patch panel that goes in front of the DSE crossmember.

Since I don't have any fancy metal brakes, etc, I had to make this the old fashioned way- hammer the folds and hammer the compound raised areas. I used my welding tank cover for a nice large radius as well as some square stock and clamps to make my 90º bend. It did stretch the metal a bit so I had to use some weight to level it out.

I went to install said panel on Friday and noticed that my DSE crossmember sits crooked in my car. I discovered it when I was trying to align my panel for tack welding in place. Upon closer inspection I see that the crossmember is assymetrical with approx 3/8" more metal (height) on the passenger side. Now the instructions say this part should sit level, so this must mean the frame rails are not symmetrical from side to side. Strange. I didn't like how the panel sat high to the right (it would become more obvious as I weld my sheet metal trunk panels to it) so I trimmed it to sit level in my car.

Following the small panel install I decided to start chopping the back of the car off for the trunk floor and tail panel replacement. I made some decent progress, imo, as the tail panel is roughly trimmed and could be tacked in place. I think. Before I do that I want to make sure the inner panel fits and everything looks square. I also need some paint for the inner frame rails. I would use some rust encapsulator and tried to order some, but I was just informed as of Aug 1st the Eastwood co. can no longer sell that to residents in CA. @#$$%!!! I'll keep my political comments to myself. I'll have to see what else I can get in its place.

I used some square stock to brace what's left of the car while I chopped the tail off, and I repaired some of the frame rail ends to reinforce them as they were pretty much rusted away.