Hello All,

I'm just embarking on the latest round of rebuilding on the Canuck and have a few questions. I'm going to be cuttin out the inner fenders and replacing them with a new set (my old ones aren't too bad, but they are showing some rust), so I purchased a fender installation kit that includes a rubber gasket - it is too short to go under the fender attaching bolts...so where does it go? I've checked my service manual and the Haynes and can't figure it out.

My other question concerns some rust stains that I'm getting between pannels where they are joined (seams). No signes of rust through or anything nasty like that, just some discolouration on the paint. I'm most concerned about the door skins and the B post bottom. My current thoughts are to remove the upholstery panels and soak the areas in POR-15 (white as that is the colour of the car). I've used POR-15 before with fantastic results, but is this the right approach to this or should I open the can-o-worms further? Again, no bubbles or flakes of rust...

Lastly, I'm having a set of grills laser cut out of 1/4 6061 aluminum for the front (1966 style) and will be getting them chrome plated. It will be expensive, but I'm sick of trying to find a decent set of grills for the car. I know the originals were never that brilliant, but I'm sure the designers didn't have a cheapo set of aluminum grills in mind when the drafted the car up. I'll post pictures when this gets all done.

Craig

I replaced the front end bodywork on my P220 when I got it home and I *think* I know where your rubber gasket goes. The gasket likely goes on the fender up at the car's "A pillar." My Amazon had a rubber seal gasket there on both sides. I've been waiting to finish my mechanical work before I got back into bodywork and reinstalled the seals.

Check it for length - it ought to be just right.

Also, there was a grey, clay-like sealant on my inner fenders under the attaching bolts. I found some similar material at a local Habitat For Humanity Store. I think you commonly find it used for HVAC or as a winter window sealant. Again, working with mechanicals so I've not played with the bodywork much yet.

Hi RJ,

Thanks...there is nothing there at the moment, but that makes sense. I'll give it a try when start to chop things apart. I could think of where the gasket went. I know about the sealant - 3M also makes a selant strip that I was going to use. In the mean time I'm going to smooth out all I can and fill in the holes and spend some time getting the firewall looking very good before paint.

Craig

When you get the grilles laser cut there are a few things that might be
worth remembering:
Since they are mirror images, one pattern(program, profile) done twice should be enough.
Save the program! If they come out good maybe you could sell them or otherwise
make them available to the specific (as opposed to general) public.
--
George Downs Bartlesville, Heart of the USA!

Hi George.

I'm doing just that, one pattern cut twice. The centre bar is going to be doubled up for a 1/2" thickness and will be attached from behind. I removed the vertical bars from my design and made the bars a little thicker than stock. It should look right, without looking too over-done. I can't decide if I will attach them from the front or if I will drill and tap a hole from the rear. If there is interest, I could do a couple of sets for people.

Craig

I'm fairly well fixed for grilles myself at the moment but I can imagine that
there are folx who would want them. Are you cutting them yourself or hiring it
done? In any case, be sure and save the pattern/program/tape or whatever the
machine instructions are recorded on, so it can be done again without all the
design work. If you could give an approximate cost as cut or as polished,
it would probably be helpful to the interested folx.

Do I understand that you are going to cut them from ¼" plate? What alloy?
--
George Downs Bartlesville, Heart of the USA!

I'm having them done out of 6061 T6 plate and will be polishing them before sending them off for plating. There are several places that can do this sort of work including "www.bigbluesaw.com" that will cut out the pattern using a water jet. I've got a contact locally that will do the work - the price is steep at $300 CND for the set - but the look should be worth the extra expense.

Craig