Thread: '38 Ford deck lid vs 37 Ford deck lid

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Originally Posted by bluestang67

Attachment 53277Attachment 53278Wow I missed a lot sleeping for a few days . Randy best job is what was said separating the two panels . When Smokies Custom Auto Service installed my rear inner and outer he hurt my time more then saving it . I have to do it all over .

Fit the panel to what is there , they are not always stamped at the perfect location so adjustment may be needed .

Bobby, are these pics of your redo or Smokie's installation?
As for splitting panel, here are pics of what the other guy did...
rashfordtrunkpan1.JPG

trunkpan1.JPG

My original rear section
37 coupe body getting floored ..jpg

A redone 37 rear section
ford-00208-2.jpg

And here he didnt install the inner pan in far enough , allowing the outer tail to come into place .
100_2200.jpg

They are Smokies he butchered it up . Tried to raise one 1/4 panel up to match . This caused a open duck tail look and removed the original clean radius from the top to the bottom .

Randy that car looks like a great way to close it up , nothing wrong with it . With this work at the tail you can fit and finish the sides along the deck lid also .

Any new work or been to busy Randy , I think you have the lid probably finished in epoxy by now . J K some I know of everyday stuff that gets in the way /..

Originally Posted by bluestang67

Any new work or been to busy Randy , I think you have the lid probably finished in epoxy by now . J K some I know of everyday stuff that gets in the way /..

Thanks for asking, Bobby. I can only WISH I had it in epoxy by now!! I have been busy with other stuff like work and putting a new power brake booster on my truck, etc. Saturday I started forming some of the patches for the inner deck lid frame work. Will try to post up some pics in a day or two.

Ok, fellas, here's a little update on the deck lid situation....I could definitely use a little advice here. I'll post up some pics to show you what I'm up against...

I cut out a little section of rust from the inner framework and fabbed a little patch for it. It still needs to be finished up but it's a start. There are several more areas like this so I may resort to a different method since the inner frame will be covered with an upholstered panel anyway....
IMAG0063_1.jpg



Then I used to heat gun to remove all the bondo on the outer skin so I could see what I'm really dealing with.
IMAG0064_1.jpg

The bondo was pretty thin until I got up toward the top of the lid. You can see the multitude of dents that were hiding under it.
IMAG0065_1.jpg


Both lower corners are pitted badly and have holes in them plus there are several holes across the bottom 4" of the outer skin. Ideally, the bottom 4" should be replaced with new metal but with my limited equipment, I have no idea how I could make that big a patch panel. I discovered a sheet metal shop in my neighborhood that I may ask about making a new panel using the old one for a pattern. Heck, maybe I should see if they could remake the whole outer skin and I'll attach it to the old framework. That would probably get pricey.....but I won't know till I ask, right?
IMAG0071_1.jpg


The lighting isn't very good on this pic of the whole lid but the dark stripes from the top edge are dents or scrapes from yesteryear that were skim coated. The lower half of the lid is pretty straight but pitted pretty badly on the lower 4" like I said above...
IMAG0074_1.jpg



So, I'm open to suggestions......

Just do what you're doing Randy, replace/repair one section at a time. Short of making a new outer skin, about the only way to do it!!! With all the compound curves it would take an English wheel and a lot of experience to make a whole new skin for it.... Going to take a lot of time and patience, but it can be done...

Sorry to say I can offer you no guidance Randy. I'm just not a body guy! But I will say that the small repair you've started looks great and like Dave says, just keep at it! One section at a time.
Do the "easiest" first and that helps you practice for the bigger job(s) coming. You're doing good!~

Cut 'n' trim 'n' paste in small areas is about all I can offer as well.

I would possibly invest in a shrinker-stretcher if I had too many convoluted bends:

2-in-1 Metal Shrinker / Stretcher

Eastwood 51088 Eastwood Shrinker/Stretcher Combo Set

Dang - here I go, helping Randy spend his money --- again 8-}

Originally Posted by IC2

Dang - here I go, helping Randy spend his money --- again 8-}

'cause you're just so dang good at it! Seems that whenever you're around, I end up with tools / parts and a lighter wallet too! HMmmmm

Originally Posted by 34_40

'cause you're just so dang good at it! Seems that whenever you're around, I end up with tools / parts and a lighter wallet too! HMmmmm

But you NEED those tools - and my wallet always needs some help too

Originally Posted by IC2

But you NEED those tools - and my wallet always needs some help too

And that's exactly what I tell my wife! But.. But.. Honey... I, I "NEEDED" that (insert tool name/type here) tool desperately! And then take her out to her favorite restaurant or ???? (insert other diversions here)...

Works every time! Did I mention I found another old tractor to go with the other 2 that are in line for a restore? My other sickness! ROFL ! I have to create a lot of diversions! HAH!

Originally Posted by 34_40

And that's exactly what I tell my wife! But.. But.. Honey... I, I "NEEDED" that (insert tool name/type here) tool desperately! And then take her out to her favorite restaurant or ???? (insert other diversions here)...

Works every time! Did I mention I found another old tractor to go with the other 2 that are in line for a restore? My other sickness! ROFL ! I have to create a lot of diversions! HAH!

.....hmmmm, tractor, hmmmmm. I might have another for you if we ever find a smaller home. 1985-6 vintage ISEKI/Bolens 3 cyl diesel with about 700 hours -------- nah, runs too well, all it needs is a seat recovered with something besides duct tape and a good touch up so it wont need restoration.

My non car diversion is the 34 foot 5th wheel RV. I can spend too much on that. And I do need some impact sockets to -----nah ---- well, maybe

Stay with it Randy , wish it was new buy you are dealing the cards now with 2 of them . I know you can work this situation all out . We know its work but form here and looking at mine , I always hollar for Dave S LOL .

Originally Posted by Dave Severson

Just do what you're doing Randy, replace/repair one section at a time. Short of making a new outer skin, about the only way to do it!!! With all the compound curves it would take an English wheel and a lot of experience to make a whole new skin for it.... Going to take a lot of time and patience, but it can be done...

Thanks, Dave. I guess my biggest reservation with these repairs to the lower decklid skin is that there is a lot of pitting on the lower back side, which makes for some precarious patching & welding. I've reduced my wire to .023 and adjusted my settings for 20 gauge but it's still very easy to blow a hole in the old metal.

Originally Posted by 34_40

Sorry to say I can offer you no guidance Randy. I'm just not a body guy! But I will say that the small repair you've started looks great and like Dave says, just keep at it! One section at a time.
Do the "easiest" first and that helps you practice for the bigger job(s) coming. You're doing good!~

Thanks for the encouraging words, Mike!! One thing leads to 1000 more!!!

Originally Posted by IC2

I would possibly invest in a shrinker-stretcher if I had too many convoluted bends:

Dang - here I go, helping Randy spend his money --- again 8-}

Yes, Dave, you are good at this!! Too bad you haven't figured out a way to get commissions on your recommendations. What you really need to find for me is a stretching tool that will work on my bank account!

Originally Posted by bluestang67

Stay with it Randy , wish it was new buy you are dealing the cards now with 2 of them . I know you can work this situation all out . We know its work but form here and looking at mine , I always hollar for Dave S LOL .

Yeah, Bobby, maybe I should keep my eyes open for a 3rd deck lid! You can't really have too many "needs a lot of work" parts lying around can you??

randyr,

Is there enough access to the backside of the welds to press some copper up against the weld? It would help to keep from burning through. The copper back up also makes it easier to fill the burn throughs.

Jack.