Plan of attack ?

[ma73z]

Finally getting back on my project after months away from it and I'm scratching my head trying to figure out where to start.

The car is sitting on the rotisserie fresh from blasting and this is what I have to do.

mini tubs
subframe con.
quarters
outer wheel wells
rockers
possible quadralink
other random rust repair
smooth firewall

Sorry to always ask dumb questions but this is the most I've ever done on a car and I'm overwhelmed on where to start, so what kind of order would you guys attack this in? Any help you guys can give me would be great thanks.

[scherp69]

I know when I did mine (on a 68 Acadian which is the same as a Nova) I put the rear suspension in (although it was the prodigy bar set up which bolted to the frame rails and not sure how the quadra suspension bolts on), then I took the old quarters, outer fenders and inner fenders off. I then put the deep tubs (DSE mini tubs) in. It was so much easier to do without the quarters on. The deep tubs and outer fenders went on basically at the same time as they fit together in some places. Once they were in, the quarters were put on. You will need to test fit the quarter several times while doing the inners also to make sure the lips will match up. Once the inners were welded into place, the quarter went on and was welded into place. Do one side at a time. This might be way off from what the shops do, but this is how I did mine and it worked out pretty good.

[ProdigyCustoms]

Do Not cut anything off on the rotissiere. You need the car jiged on stands at the front of rockers, rear of rockers and rear of rear frame rail. Otherwise the car can / will sag and cause many problems going forward. get all your fab work done, sheetmetal work done, then get it on the suspension, then do bodywork. You want the car on the suspension and under the stresses it will live under when you do your bodywork.

[Ron Fox]

Do Not cut anything off on the rotissiere. You need the car jiged on stands at the front of rockers, rear of rockers and rear of rear frame rail. Otherwise the car can / will sag and cause many problems going forward. get all your fab work done, sheetmetal work done, then get it on the suspension, then do bodywork. You want the car on the suspension and under the stresses it will live under when you do your bodywork.

Please explain the body work phase. So blocking the car on a rotisserie would do more harm than good?

Thanks.

[redfire69]

Ron, you want to align the doors, fenders, etc with the car on it's suspension on all 4 wheels so the panel gaps don't change.

[ma73z]

Thanks for your help guys, what I'm thinking is something like this tell me if it's wrong.

Remove from rotisserie

Install front Sub. using my solid mounts and square it up

Put on stands under Sub frame and rear spring mount or should I put in the whole rear end and support it there

Install and align doors

Install and align front sheetmetal

Do quarter panels

Should I do the mini tubs before or after quarters and outer wheel wells or does it matter

Does it matter when I do the sub frame connectors

Thanks for your help guys, just trying to get your advice before I start cutting and mess something up

[69Camaro]

Good Info so far. I'm almost at the same stage ... subscribing...

For me, I know my car will need floors, doors and quarters, and likely a roof skin ... plus whatever else I uncover...
How do the subframe bushings affect bodywork, should I start with fresh subframe bushings before I replace the sheet metal??
I was thinking that floor pans and DSE subframe connectors would be my starting point ....

[redfire69]

I think most guys do mini tubs at the same time as outer WWs and quarters. I think you have to shorten the rear supports that attach from the old inner WW to the speaker shelf. Some temporary bracing in this area will help. Remember to check your deck lid fitment before welding everything home.

I had to go a little further and found it better to mock w clecos inners/outers, quarters, tail pan, deck lid, etc, before final welding. Good luck!

[Ron Fox]

Ron, you want to align the doors, fenders, etc with the car on it's suspension on all 4 wheels so the panel gaps don't change.

Thanks Ron.

[ma73z]

Thank you guys, I appreciate all the advice :thumbsup: