Author Topic: Updated with pics. That horrible quarter panel to valance gap. (Read 1189 times)

monkeystash · « **on:** October, 17, 2008, 08:06:35 PM »

I am very much considering welding up the fugly gap between these two parts. It's such an eyesore IMO. I'm hesitant though, because I really don't like "custom bodywork." I'm just not sure whether I'll hate the gap or the custom look worse. What say you guys?

daveSanborn · « **Reply #1 on:** October, 17, 2008, 09:04:12 PM »

I crossed this same bridge a couple years ago with the sons car. The body shop guys were struggling with the gaps and asked me what I wanted to do and I said weld her up. No ill effects. It's such a minor change back down behind the rear bumper that some "Mustang guys" I've had over to the house that picked the car apart didn't even notice it.

If you want, I have absolutely nothing going on tomorrow morning and can take some pictures for you.

monkeystash · « **Reply #2 on:** October, 17, 2008, 09:19:20 PM »

Dave, I saw that Ozarks06 did it on a '65 coupe, and here is a picture. I wouldn't mind seeing it on a finished car, only if it is convenient for you to do so. Thanks. I'm fighting the same issue, crappy gaps because of crappy Chinese parts. I must say, I'm leaning towards the seamless look.

napaguy · « **Reply #3 on:** October, 17, 2008, 09:23:49 PM »

Ryan,
You can bet when I get to that point my "gap" will be filled. I cringe when I see an otherwise beautiful car with that god awful gap. I say weld her up

Sluggo · « **Reply #4 on:** October, 17, 2008, 09:45:36 PM »

Is it a repro valance?

I did it on my 71 mach and it looked great. No pics. sorry. People won't notice the welded and smoothed piece, but they will notice big fat gaps and the contour mismatch in an instant.

I did that and shaved and painted the rear bumper on my 71 and had to point both mods out to almost everyone, including mustang guys.

cmayna · « **Reply #5 on:** October, 18, 2008, 05:23:30 AM »

Ryan,
I'd sure like to see pics of this gap you are yakin about. Red had very little gap between the valance and rear quarter. Maybe I need to fit Shag's valance to the back end to see what I'll be up against while he's still in the body shop. Is this issue caused by using a repro valance or quarter or both?

Is there any cons for permanently welding the valance in?

napaguy · « **Reply #6 on:** October, 18, 2008, 06:04:27 AM »

Craig, The only con I can think of is if you were to damage the valance it would be a pain to replace.

daveSanborn · « **Reply #7 on:** October, 18, 2008, 06:09:18 AM »

Quote

if you were to damage the valance it would be a pain to replace.

Other than losing "originality", yep, that's the big drawback.

Fast68back · « **Reply #8 on:** October, 18, 2008, 06:18:52 AM »

Didnt Laurie do this with trouble as well?

daveSanborn · « **Reply #9 on:** October, 18, 2008, 06:19:09 AM »

Quote

Maybe I need to fit Shag's valance to the back end to see what I'll be up against while he's still in the body shop. Is this issue caused by using a repro valance or quarter or both?

Heck yeah you do bubba! This should have been done back before the car was put in primer.

From my experience, the rear valance fit is hit or miss, regardless of whether you're using a repo piece or not. It seems that it was an area that Ford just really wasn't overly concerned with during their design. There is very little adjustment (if any) that can be made to get a valance to fit with even gaps..... it usually either fits "okay", or it fits like crap.

Compounding the gap problem is if the rear quarters were replaced.

monkeystash · « **Reply #10 on:** October, 18, 2008, 06:40:53 AM »

Quote from: cmayna on October, 18, 2008, 05:23:30 AM

Ryan,
I'd sure like to see pics of this gap you are yakin about...Is this issue caused by using a repro valance or quarter or both?

I didn't take a picture before I tore it off in disgust last time. However, I do have a picture of my buddy's car, and the fit was similar. I have repro quarters and valance, as does the car in the picture bleow.

Laurie S. · « **Reply #11 on:** October, 18, 2008, 10:46:51 AM »

Quote from: Fast68back on October, 18, 2008, 06:18:52 AM

Didnt Laurie do this with trouble as well?

No, what we did was build up the valance and quarter panel so that they mated perfectly. We also did a little metal shaping on the valance first. We cut the filler with dental floss at the last stage to get it as close as possible. I didn't want to deal with the hassle of having to remove the valance ever. And, knowing my luck, it would have to come off.

daveSanborn · « **Reply #12 on:** October, 18, 2008, 10:55:29 AM »

Ryan,

If a picture is worth a 1000 words, these 2 short videos should be worth more. I hope this helps you in your decision.

monkeystash · « **Reply #13 on:** October, 18, 2008, 01:25:44 PM »

Dave, that kicks a$$, thanks! It does look slick seamless. Decisions, decisions!!!

67 evil eleanor · « **Reply #14 on:** October, 18, 2008, 02:01:25 PM »

Is it off at the top or bottom, or the whole seem. Sometimes you can bend the radius just a bit and parrallel the seam. After seeing them welded up though, I think I will zip up the ones on the 65. A wiz wheel can easily open it back up if need be. I guess I'm like Ford, I never paid too much attention to it.

monkeystash · « **Reply #15 on:** October, 18, 2008, 03:23:29 PM »

Quote from: 67 evil eleanor on October, 18, 2008, 02:01:25 PM

Is it off at the top or bottom, or the whole seem.

Yes! :laugh:

Seriously though, the repro valance panel seems too short. But, the gap is wider in the middle than at the edges, due to the arc shape. Pat gave me a few pointers today that I'll try out tomorrow. I'll snap a few pics too. Thanks.

cmayna · « **Reply #16 on:** October, 18, 2008, 06:17:24 PM »

Sorry Ryan,
But if the pics you submitted represent your issue, I personally wouldn't bother welding them together. I'm sure there are far more pressing issues........ And yes, if you get crunched in the back, replacement becomes a big headache.

monkeystash · « **Reply #17 on:** October, 19, 2008, 05:57:34 PM »

I was able to make some progress today on the valance and have the left side acceptable. The right side however is fine at the top, but the gap widens as it goes down. I believe I will weld a long skinny wedge on the valance to make the gap uniform. That will allow me to keep the valance a separate piece, but also not look like poop. Here are some pictures of it as of today:

napaguy · « **Reply #18 on:** October, 19, 2008, 06:52:54 PM »

Ryan,
That left side looks great!!!! Cant you work your magic on the other side?

Sluggo · « **Reply #19 on:** October, 19, 2008, 06:55:58 PM »

Weld some rod to the right edge and work it until you like the fit.

Sluggo · « **Reply #20 on:** October, 19, 2008, 06:56:33 PM »

Quote from: napaguy on October, 19, 2008, 06:52:54 PM

Ryan,
That left side looks great!!!! Cant you work your magic on the other side?

Loan him your valance stretcher. :)

napaguy · « **Reply #21 on:** October, 20, 2008, 05:26:52 AM »

Couldnt he suck that quarter in a bit? I dunno maybe it would be easier to weld in a new sliver? I am sure whatever Ryan does it will look great.

70_Fastback · « **Reply #22 on:** October, 20, 2008, 06:19:20 AM »

I don't know about your years repo quarter panels, but the '70 repo panels are different from the originals where the valance attaches at.

The OEM panel has an indentation sunk in, where the attaching bracket on the valance can tuck up into nicely. The repo quarter panel is just smooth, with no indentation, and the valance mounnting bracket would hit the quarter panel, and push the valace away from the quarter thus create a gap similiar to what you are showing.

Since I didn't realize this until the quarters were done and on, it was not an easy mod for the quarter. So I opted to remove the old mounting bracket from the valance. I drilled 2 holes on each side of the valance, where the old mounting point was - but space farther apart. I threaded in some all thread from the outside and welded them in place on the inside and outside, creating 2 new mounting studs. I ground them down and smoothed them flush on the outside. Drilled 2 matching spaced holes on the quarter panel. This way I could have 2 mounting points at the quarter so I could really draw the panel tight and eliminate a noticeable gap. May be an idea to try as well...

But it looks like your piece is also short from side to side. So that may not be of any help at all - just wanted to interject my 2 cents.

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monkeystash · « **Reply #23 on:** October, 20, 2008, 07:27:55 AM »

Quote from: napaguy on October, 20, 2008, 05:26:52 AM

Couldnt he suck that quarter in a bit? I dunno maybe it would be easier to weld in a new sliver? I am sure whatever Ryan does it will look great.

Actually Pat, that is the first thing I tried after we talked the other day. I have this huge 3 ft woodworking screw-jack clamp that I thought would work wonders, but I couldn't budge it at all.

Jeremy, that sounds like a great idea, and how they should be made in the first place! I cannot believe the cheap, crappy fasteners these things come with.