1956 buick build

Discussion in 'Other metal working projects' started by DavidF, Jul 15, 2020.

  1. DavidF

    DavidF Administrator Staff Member Banner Member

    So last year when I went to the east coast nationals car show in Louisville KY and this 56 buick followed me home. Well sort of anyways, I had to come back from KY and unload dads 40 ford off the trailer then run back out to Tennessee and pick up the car.
    20200629_182200.jpg

    I just started the tear down a couple weeks ago getting it down to a bare shell so I can pull the body off the frame ( once I position the ls motor and make up the engine mounts)
    Its been fun dealing with all the screws that are headless and rusted into place that hold the trim on but I've just about got them all.
    This week I started to get into repairing some of the rust spots I knew about when I bought the car ( and a few I didn't).
    One 0f the worst spots to fix is the passenger side roof above the drip rail which has separated from the body.
    20200624_122759.jpg 20200624_123749.jpg

    Yesterday I started work on the rust at the b pillars and around the rear glass.
    20200625_115232.jpg

    First thing I did was to make a cardboard template of the panel to be replaced before disassembling. Here its cut apart..
    20200712_160530.jpg

    Then onto repairing the rear glass channel.
    This was 2 pieces cut and welded on the edge.
    This is all hidden below the window moldings so nothing fancy here.
    20200713_153756.jpg

    Then onto the actual B pillar. This piece lips into the drip rail and curves in a couple directions so I used the template to cut a couple of forms to beat out the new panel on.
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    Well that went pretty easy. Just need to finish welding it up today...
    20200714_140039.jpg
     
    Rotarysmp, Clay and Tobho Mott like this.
  2. DavidF

    DavidF Administrator Staff Member Banner Member

    Here we are this morning...
    20200714_144032.jpg
     
  3. crazybillybob

    crazybillybob Silver Banner Member

    nice!
     
    DavidF likes this.
  4. Jammer

    Jammer Silver Banner Member

    This is my son's '56. All original, basically he just buffed it out and waxed it. Now he has it all torn down and is going to put a new chassis under it. The steering box is loose and the frame has some rust issues. I just hope he gets it back together.
     

    Attached Files:

  5. DavidF

    DavidF Administrator Staff Member Banner Member

    Good looking car Jammer, buicks are known for rusting. The inside panels are bare steel....

    So for my adventures in rust and Tennessee mud today.....
    I coated the inside of the B pillar with some POR 15 prior to welding the panel back on.which takes over night to dry ...
    20200715_122231.jpg .
    Then moved on to cutting out the rust in the lower quarter.
    20200715_152722.jpg
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    Some of you might have noticed the square hole cut into the quarter earlier and wondered what the heck. Well thats where one of buicks not so good ideas is hiding.....
    20200715_161900.jpg

    This is where a bunch of panels come and meet in a not so orderly fashion. It creates an area where mud and water collect and the rear tire just pumps the water right into it.
    20200715_162607.jpg
    There is another not so good idea hiding in the rear quarter area as well. The inner splash panel joins to the quarter panel with a T shaped weather strip and then is undercoated over.
    I'm assuming this let's the body flex without distorting the quarter.
    Screenshot_20200715-164918_Gallery.jpg
    Its going to be a pain in the ass but I am going to refabricate this part and use some panel bond to join it to the inner quarter and make it so there is no pockets for debri to get trapped in...
     
  6. Jason

    Jason Gold

    It's the trim on that thing that would scare the hell out of me. That car has miles of trim!

    This is also the stuff of NIGHTMARES!

    20200715_162607.jpg
     
  7. ESC

    ESC Silver Banner Member

    Great job David.
     
    DavidF likes this.
  8. Melterskelter

    Melterskelter Gold Banner Member

    Wow, that looks like an undertaking!!

    Is an English wheel part of you toolset?

    Maybe just remove the nameplate and start from scratch? :rolleyes:

    Denis
     
  9. DavidF

    DavidF Administrator Staff Member Banner Member

    LOL, its not that bad. Worst part is the passanger side drip rail area. But I knew that when I bought it. Deck lid was the other really bad spot, it was rusted internally by the hinge mount. I could have fixed it but got lucky and found one at a swap meet. Same color and everything. Have to laugh because it was the only swap meet I've been to this year and the only part I was looking for...
     
  10. Rocketman

    Rocketman Silver Banner Member

    Very nice work, hell of a project.
    If you're into this sort of thing and aren't already aware of this channel, it's some good stuff right up your alley

     
    DavidF likes this.
  11. DavidF

    DavidF Administrator Staff Member Banner Member

    You have no idea...;):D
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  12. DavidF

    DavidF Administrator Staff Member Banner Member

    didn't get a whole lot done today had to go shopping for a few things.
    Managed to pull that splash liner out. Gives me a lot more room so I can weld up that upper panel. Going to blast and treat everything in there tomorrow. Then I can start putting this side back together.
    Car should be 200 lbs lighter with all the crop im knocking out of it....
    20200716_123714.jpg 20200716_124950.jpg 20200716_124644.jpg
     
  13. Al2O3

    Al2O3 Administrator Staff Member Banner Member

    So will all that trim go back on or is the plan to finish the bodywork without?

    Best,
    K
     
  14. DavidF

    DavidF Administrator Staff Member Banner Member

    Its all getting polished and going back on with new clips..
     
  15. Rotarysmp

    Rotarysmp Silver

    Wow, if you like rust that much, you could have got a 2013 Fiat ;).
    Fantastic project. You must be really good with the TIG torch (or soon will be).
    <watch thread>
     
  16. DavidF

    DavidF Administrator Staff Member Banner Member

    Lol, I used to have a Fiat x19 with the twin carb set up. Fun lil car, and yep a rear challenge with rust.
    This buick isn't really that bad ( I've fixed worse) I'm just happy it still has floor and trunk pans.
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    Goal is to be completed by this time next year and drive it to the east coast nationals in Louisville KY.
    Think I'll make it ? :D
     
    Tobho Mott likes this.
  17. Petee716

    Petee716 Gold Banner Member

    You've got your work cut out for you. No pun intended.
    Y'know it just occurred to me. How does it feel having so much work space? I remember the tight quarters you were in a couple of years ago. It must be like a dream come true!
     
  18. DavidF

    DavidF Administrator Staff Member Banner Member

    I should have built it bigger...:rolleyes:
     
    Clay likes this.
  19. Jason

    Jason Gold

    YOU owned an X19??? :rolleyes:
    Look, I found your old TURD!

    buy-this-fiat-and-turn-it-into-your-weekend-racer-1476934759415-1000x750.jpg
     
  20. DavidF

    DavidF Administrator Staff Member Banner Member

    And I found yours..
    SmartSelect_20200714-161921_Gallery.jpg
     

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