FINALLY, getting to the body work on the ghia. I need to replace heater channels and rocker panels and purchased replacements. All ready to go.
The plan was to lift the body off the chassis by the thickness of a 4x4 and then reconnect the body and chassis with longer 13MM bolts. That way I can use the chassis to help maintain body alignment for the doors. Then with everything secure, cut both the heater channel and rocker out and replace. I figure I can get it replaced with that amount of space.
Anyone use a better method?
replacing heater channels
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doc
- Site Admin
- Posts: 3582
- Joined: Thu Mar 31, 2005 2:38 pm
Re: replacing heater channels
Well, a different method.
On a bug (don't know why KG would be any different), I welded bars in between the doors crossways across the car. Then welded across the door frame parallel to the ground near the bottom of the doors. I should have then welded one more bar diagonally across everything, but didn't.
Anyway, you get the idea. The bars triangulate support from inside the car and from side to side across the body. The bars don't have to be real big and a couple of quick tack welds will hold fine. Easy clean up on stuff you're going over anyway.
This bracing method worked for me replacing channels, floors and firewall.
Even if you bought the good replacements, get ready to do a little massaging. It's not likely to fit exactly. Just sayin....
Good luck. Post pics.
doc
On a bug (don't know why KG would be any different), I welded bars in between the doors crossways across the car. Then welded across the door frame parallel to the ground near the bottom of the doors. I should have then welded one more bar diagonally across everything, but didn't.
Anyway, you get the idea. The bars triangulate support from inside the car and from side to side across the body. The bars don't have to be real big and a couple of quick tack welds will hold fine. Easy clean up on stuff you're going over anyway.
This bracing method worked for me replacing channels, floors and firewall.
Even if you bought the good replacements, get ready to do a little massaging. It's not likely to fit exactly. Just sayin....
Good luck. Post pics.
doc
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carmangary
- Posts: 186
- Joined: Thu Aug 01, 2002 12:01 am
Re: replacing heater channels
When I replaced the heater channels in my coupe I did one side at a time. I didn't brace the door at all and just had it sitting across a couple of sawhorses. Once I got the new channel in there and welded in place in the back I put the door back in and got it aligned. I did have to put a jack under the where the door hinges are to relieve some flex so that the door aligned correctly. Then I clamped it in place and took out the jack to see if the door still opened and closed correctly. Once I was satisfied I welded it all up.