welding body seams???

[Roblee67]

Has anyone ever welded together the front header panel / front valence to the fenders to make it one piece on a first gen camaro...Got any pics....looking for advise and opinions!!!

[HRBS]

Not a 1st gen Camaro, but we did this to a 64 Impala we built a few years ago. We welded every panel seam on this car except the actual operating panels (doors, hood, trunk). The front valance was welded to the fenders, the lower splash panel to the fender, the fenders to the front cowl, the fenders to the rockers and the rear quarters to the trunk filler panel etc etc.
Most people dont notice untill you say something.

Welding and body work:
http://i241.photobucket.com/albums/ff143/hrbs/impala/body4.jpg

After final prep:
http://i241.photobucket.com/albums/ff143/hrbs/impala/body5.jpg

Finished:
http://i241.photobucket.com/albums/ff143/hrbs/impala/front.jpg

[almcbri]

Here is a car that has it done. Looks pretty good in my opinion.
http://www.lateral-g.net/forums/showthread.php4?t=22416

[Roblee67]

That Impala is sweeeet.....Thanks for the pics, I have already done the splash panels to the fenders and I will likely weld the front valence and header panel to them also....Did you build some sort of removable bracket to attach at the upper back of the front fenders by the firewall (for stability) in case you ever have to remove the front end??

[ItDoRun]

I'm thinking of welding the filler panel to quarter seams on my Camaro, but then grinding the seam so it looks factory. That area is prone to body filler cracking.

[awr68]

That area is prone to body filler cracking.

And seam sealer checking! That is why mine got welded......;)

[HRBS]

Rob.... nothing is removable. The front end is now part of the car (and chassis for that matter).
The trunk filler panel is definetly prone to cracking. We welded the seam and then used lead to fill the remaining voids after grinding.

[GregWeld]

Rob.... nothing is removable. The front end is now part of the car (and chassis for that matter).
The trunk filler panel is definetly prone to cracking. We welded the seam and then used lead to fill the remaining voids after grinding.

Okay -- I have the "stupid question of the week"...

Having this all as a solid unit -- doesn't that cause it to squeak etc?? I mean -- is there any "downside" to doing this?? Versus the upside to it??

This is all very interesting -- to me -- from a learning standpoint.

Thanks!

[DRJDVM's '69]

I had thought about doing that to my car but the thought of having to remove the entire front assembly as one piece scared me off. God forbid you should ever need to remove a fender to get to something etc.... rather than taking off one or two pieces, you have to take the entire front end off...

That Impala is badass.....and it takes my concerns above and takes them up a notch :) Nice car...

[HRBS]

Greg... no such thing as a stupid question (unless you ask me if that impala has hydraulics...lol). It actually helps eliminate squeaks due to less moving parts. There is less flex and body roll when the car is unified. As far as repairs.... well thats a different story. You hope with a car like this you dont have to. Then again if you have a car like this, you probably have the money to fix it if you ever need too... :lol:

[bmacey]

We have 4 of these in progress with the front and back all welded solid it looks good
Bryan VIP Custom Cars

[bmacey]

One more shot before paint of front all welded up
Bryan VIP Custom Cars

[Roblee67]

Thanks bmacy, Love the car....I think I will weld the front together but I am not going to weld the fenders to the rocker panels...this will alow me to remove the front end should I ever need to!...I couldnt tell from the pics, but are the fenders welded to the rockers on the ones you are doing?.....also I think I will fabricate a removable support brace that I can bolt in to stabilize the back, should the situation arise that I need to remove it!
Thank you all very much for the pics and advise!!

[bmacey]

We can remove the front clip in one piece it is not welded to the rockers but it is welded to the radiator support so it comes off with the fenders and cowl panel. THe only problem we have is the front lower stainless piece for the glass. I have not completly figured it out yet because you cannot remove cowl panel sep front the clip it is all welded togather.

[bmacey]

You do not need a support brace if you weld the cowl panel and radiator support also it is very solid but it a lot of body work and shop time. Many hours of labor involved in these cars.

[67rstbkt]

All those pics are great; looks awesome:hail: It's got me thinking about welding up some of my seams. I'm thinking about doing the rocker to lower quarter panel edge (right behind the door) and the rear filler panel. Do you guys weld, smooth, add metal based filler, and smooth again? Trying to learn, hopefully this isn't a stupid question:cheers: :woot: