rusty roof

[pm5471]

I have a 55 H/T that has rut holes along the gutters (pin holes) . Thay are about 1/2 inch up from the gutter or is it called drip rail,along the full length on both sides.Turns out some mice made a home the full length on both sides.Can this be fixed or is it best to replace the top?
pete:confused:

[trifive]

Probably best to replace top.

That being said the right side of my top had the same problem.

So i cut out the ruster area, went inside the car and welded a larger than the opening metal to the underside of the roof from inside of the car. Covering the cut out metal hole.

Then I went back out side of the car and welded a new piece of metal to the topside of the hole and then finished off with sanding and light plastic body filler.

If I were a good metal man like Prostreet he probably can make a new piece and flush mount it right in the area, I am not very good so steve help out here.

Also if you ground off the drip rail like i did a new drip rail can easily be made from a piece of metal gasline.

Otis

[prostreet]

Hi Pete
Otis is right it may be easier to just replace the top . Sounds like a big job but less work than alot of patch work . Shoot us some photo's when you get a chance .

[pm5471]

I don,t have a digital camera to take pictures of the top. I have a chance to get a roof from a 55 pontiac H/T for 250.00. T he problem is i have to take it off and i am thinking to cut it at the very bottum of the posts. I would have to us a hacksaw. Also ,befor i would replace the top i need to replace the floor pans and rockers due to rust out.Any help on wher to start first?
pete:confused:

[prostreet]

Hi Pete
Rule of thumb secure your foundation first. after you have your structural integrity built back into the car get some scrap to tie the inside of the car together so when you cut the top off the sides and back stay put . Build as many X members inside the car as you can to assure the car won't move.
Don't forget take lots of measurements and photos with foot notes so you have referance points to go back to . (you cant do this enough) keep us posted and if you dont come accross a digital take it to Wallmart and get a disc made so we can help you further. Thanks again for sharing your project with us.

[pm5471]

sat. i am going to get the roof for my H/T and need to know wher to cut it at the four corners.Any help would be great.
thanks
Pete

[prostreet]

Hi Pete
Well I hope this sheds some lite on your 55 top removal. :confused:
This is were I like to start after gathering all my tools and material needed to do the job. :rolleyes:
http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y170/prosheetmetal/55-hrdtop-roof-removal-02.jpg
This is a great wasy to make sure you are cutting the both front pillars in the same area . You just flip the template to the opposite side and mark yor lines .
http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y170/prosheetmetal/55-hrdtop-roof-removal-draw.jpg
Please excuse the crude drawings the coffee kicked in as I picked up my pencil. In this diagram shows you about were I would cu the top for ease of removal and installation. Before you cut anything at all gather up some scrap angle iron or tubing in straight lenths and you want to cross brace you pillars and passanger compartment before you get started.Dont forget when your top is off the door opening now have freedom to move open and close as they wish. You have to make sure that this is not allowed by stablizing the A-plliar and B-pillar . Another roygh sketch to give you an idea how I would aproach this bracing .
http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y170/prosheetmetal/55-hrdtop-roof-removal-01-d.jpg
Pete If you have any questions at all before you get started bring them on you cant ask or measure enough . :cool:

[chevman57]

Steve that is great illustrationing. You are a great asset to this site,Terry.

[prostreet]

AWW SHUCKS :o :o

[1957chevy]

Steve, do you think you could illustrate a brake job for me, or the replacement of the fuel pump, or better yet, a rebuild of the carb? (Just kidding of course)

Great illustrations! :)

[chevman57]

Mike illustrate it? Why don`t you just ask him to make a road trip and come do it for you. haha ,Terry.

[1957chevy]

Mike illustrate it? Why don`t you just ask him to make a road trip and come do it for you. haha ,Terry.

Now, why didn't I think if that!? :)

Steve....how 'bout it?:D

[prostreet]

Hey Mike
If my wife caught wind of that she would be loading my tools in the truck .....:eek:

[1957chevy]

Hey Mike
If my wife caught wind of that she would be loading my tools in the truck .....:eek:

Could ya give me her email address?!!! :eek:

[prostreet]

I wonder how PM5471 is doing on his roof swap :confused:

[pm5471]

I did get the replacement top cut off and home but thats as far as it will be for now. I have to replace the floor pans and braces before the top to make the car structurely sound as you said earlier. So for now I will have to save for the parts needed as I am remodeling my house doing all the work myself and working a full time job. I found out last week that I will be needing a total knee replacement in the very near future. Wow, at 52 I think life is catching up with me.

pete

[prostreet]

Cripes Pete
Why didn't you say so, heck between all of us we could help do the knee thingy :eek: can't be that hard and I'm sure we could all stay at a holliday in the night before. :rolleyes: But all kiddddding aside keep us informed on first and fore most your health and how everything else is going. Hey we'll leave the light on for you . :) Gee you would think a chain of hotels were the big sponsor here. :D

[allengator]

Cripes Pete
Why didn't you say so, heck between all of us we could help do the knee thingy :eek:


Steve,
Can you draw up a diagram for knee overhaul?? :D