Okay, Got the rear fenders and bed completely removed this weekend and wow, it sure looked a lot easier than it was. Every single bolt had to be cut with my best source, a pneumatic cut off saw. There was a sheet metal plate over the rotten bed wood, and cutting it loose set the rotten wood on fire. I was about to give up for the day (Saturday), when I noticed the smoldering. It had burnt about a 6 inch square by the time I noticed it. My question is about the angle strips. They appear to be welded to the bed sides, but I don't see any welds. I tried chiseling one of them loose, but not much luck. Can anyone tell me the simplest way to remove them? Thanks, Woody
They are spot welded in place. If there in decent shape leave them alone or carefully cut them and replace them .Replacement angles are available. If you purchase new bed side panels that angle is already attached.Good luck Bobby
Thanks Bobby, I already have purchased new strips, both angle and bed in polished SS. Several of the punched holes were rounded out on the existing. These welds are well hidden, as I see no evidence of them. I guess if I can just get one end or the other loose, I should be able to work the hole thing loose. What I thought was weird, was that the metal plate that was added way back, was slid under the angle strips on top of the wood. Not sure how they were fitted, but dummy me, I had cut all of the bolts free, only to find that the plate was only slid up to the bolts but not drilled. Once I ground down the welds at the back, the bed sides came right off as the wood was so rotten that it no longer held the sides in place. A lot of cutting in place unnecessarily. Oh well, I knew this whole thing would be a learning process. Woody
Spot welds are plentiful Strip removal should be done on the strip side. There are a lot of them. Find the spot welds and drill them out but not all the way thru. You want to keep as much metal in the side bed as possible, and grind residual smooth. Then weld the new one on by migging from the fender side but be sure to put backing copper on your SS angle where you are tacking.
Thanks for the tips. I'm not sure I understand where to put the copper. Are you telling to put it directly behind the weld? If I weld on the bed side, at the hole that I've created by drilling out the old weld, this should be to solid SS on the strip, right? Does this have to do with the welding of carbon steel to SS? I understand using the copper, as the welds won't stick to it, but what will this accomplish? I plan to use it in the million holes I need to fill. Thanks again for the help. Woody
I believe he wants you to use the copper to keep from from burning through the stainless? Since you will be welding stainless to steel do you have 309 stainless GMAW welding wire and the appropriate tri-mix gas for welding ? Lovin your 55. You planning on leaving it crusty or going full off resto?
Wow, now I'm really confused, but I'll figure it out. I'm a ways out on that part anyway. As for your question. Not gonna leave crusty. I've already got it down to the frame, and presently sandblasting that. My game room looks like a stock room with all of the new parts I've aquired. All I'm missing so far are the bumpers, and a seat. Was going to rebuild the original 235, but it's days are over, so I purchased a 283 crate motor, with a Muncie 4 speed. Engine is high performance, but not radical. Not looking to race this beauty, but want it to rumble slightly. I've got tons of chrome for the engine, but going to leave off all of the trim outside. This is going to take some serious time, but for once in my life, that's what I've got plenty of (cept for workin of course). Woody
Woody, Are You Replacing The Angle Strip With a New Stainless One? As You can Replace In Stainless and Also In The Original Steel Version! Just Wondering! Sorry Re-read Your Post and seen You are Going Stainless Ive Seen Them Bolted In But Then You Loose The Clean Look and Have The Bolt's To Look at,Good Luck and Let Us Know How it Worked Out! Allen
