Pics - Carrera Flare Installation on a 72

[katigbr]

I had some spare time this evening so I thought I'd get off my a$$ and add the other carrera flare onto my 72RS - 3.6 project. I know how much we all like to see others tear into their cars so I thought I'd post the pics. Total time was about 2 hours. I still have the finish welding to do (1 am is not the time to start playing with oxy-acetylene).

Step 1 : Trial fit and score cut line on existing fender


Step 2 : Take your favorite grinder with cutting disk ( Dewalt 4 1/2" is my weapon of choice), take a deep breath and move carefully, undercutting the scribed line. Take a step back and realize that you have crossed the point of no return.


Step 3 : Trial fit new flares and adjust fender using gentle grinder persuasion. Having some sheet metal clamps really help here. Repeat as necessary until an narrow and even gap is formed.


Step 4: Clean up the top and underside of the chopped fender, exposing at least 2 inches. At this point I discovered a very bad prior patch to the fender covered by 3/16" of bondo.


Step 5: Using the sheet metal clamps, position the fitted flare on the fender and tack weld with your trusty MIG welder. I didn't have any "IG" so I used flux cored wire, hence the messy tack welds.


The final steps are
1) Grind the welds flush with the panel (5 minutes)
2) Finish welding the flare with oxy-acetylene and hammer the joint flat (8 hours). It takes me about a day of mental preparation before attempting oxy hammer welding of large sheet metal pieces.
3) Prime (no bondo required due to the perfect hammer welding)
4) Paint

Rick

[GIBSON]

Rick, nice photos and good description. Keep us posted on the final weld job. Which flares did you use and from what source?

[katigbr]

Gibson,
Thanks. It was the perfect way to release some tension. I bought the Carrera flares from Pelican. Perfect quality. I had to wait for one due to backorder status.

Rick

[Bobboloo]

Thanks for the post Rick. I think you have the start of a tech article there. (hint hint)

Bobby
72' T Coupe
72' T Roadster Project