High rear arch panel

[silver surfer]

Hello again to you all,

After a bit of an absence and a while just reading (nothing to post i'm afraid) I have now got a little bit more time to get back onto my 89 panel van. So in usual style I come asking for help from those far more experienced than mysef.

The problem is that I and need to replace the rear nearside arch panel. I have bought a replacement high panel but am unsure how to make the joint between the top of the new panel and the old panel (just below the sliding door track. I think there are two ways to do this and have looked for specific pics on that joint on here but not had too much success. Anyway here is what I thought:

1) Butt weld the tow panels together
2) Leave an overlapp on the old old section (still in situ) and joggle this to allow the new panel to be welded over the top

Any though would really be appreciated and pics if any of you have any

[RedGus]

Have a look at Metal Mickey's recent restoration threads. He's done what you describe, with loads of detailed pictures, on almost all of the vans he worked on. No doubt the man himself will be along before too long with specific advice for you.

James

[silver surfer]

Thanks James.

Metal Mickey's post are fantastic and I have had a good luck through them.

MM, my van would have been in the scap yard if it wasn't for the time you take to post the repairs you have done. Many thnaks and know you have saved another one I have replaced the offside inner sill thanks to your info and have had a look at the thread "body or lack of it" which shows the repair I need to do but was not clear how you had done the top weld.

[CovKid]

Tis if you read it too:

Metalmickey:

"Note, if you dont have clecos then stick a few self tappers in maybe with spire clips behind, but the clecs really are worth their weight so to speak. If you go down the road of adding a lip to the new panal then be very very quick and carefull as its easy to get a bit of warp in it."

[Jonnyb416]

Think I just clamped mine in place then tacked it and seam welded being careful not to warp it by welding opposite ends each time and allowing the panel to cool down each time. Jon.

[silver surfer]

Yep, see whay you mean about "reading" too More haste less speed is the lesson there I think.

Still being a bit thick tho. Is that one panel lapped over the other with the clecos pulling the two together?

[CovKid]

You can lap or create a lip but mind his comments about too much heat.

[Plasticman]

overlap will do ok, the clecos or whatever are neede to hold the wing top straight as much as together, very fast tacks,
moist care is neede on the ends, pay close attention to this, i think i show it clearly in most of the ones i do
mm

[silver surfer]

mm,

Thanks for the help. I know it must seem a daft question and I am sure it will become clear when I start but didn't want to cut the old section too short.

Started doing the offside battery tray yesterday and supprise supprise it has turned into much more of a job than I was expecting

Was ready to drive it down the scrappy again!! But decided to keep going. It gives a lot of pleasure to see then van getting better and to know that there is so much help on here.

The van will never be show winner by any stretch but at least in the future I will know that all the bad bits are done

Thanks again

Chris

[Plasticman]

sod show winners , and some of them are all show no substance. just keep it on the road and enjoy it, have a look at sunnivagon for one, but its important to make the wing cut right, saves hassle later
mm