[F.I. 57 Belair]

I will have to replace the qtr panels on my 57 2 drht due to rust under the insert and from dirt trapped above the wheel well rubber seal. I am looking at the imported quarters that splice just like the original. They include the inner trunk lip. and include the door pillar. Have anyone here used them? I have heard the USA made ones must be reworked to fit correctly. These would require less welding that could cause warpage.
Thanks for any insite or advice you can give.
Tom

 

[rj57]

Tom, if these aftermarket parts are from Tiawan I believe they do work well.

When Gene Rishforth (RIP Gene) was still alive he used to tell me about the parts he ordered in and sold on occassion.

I recall him telling me about the Tiawan parts being a better fit versus the other offshore pieces.

I hope this helps answer some of your question for you.

RJ

 

[Chevynut]

If you can avoid making a cut along the top of the quarter like these Taiwan quarters allow you to do, I would go that route in a heartbeat. I will save you a ton of time and work and get a better result, imo. However, on a HT I believe you have a pinch weld on top of the quarter, so the butt-welding will be minimal and part of the seam is covered by the stainless cap. It's not that way on a 55 or 56 quarter.

I did my quarters with the crappy USA made ones (all that's available), and had to modify them to fit my Nomad (only HT quarters are available), and tweak them in other places to make them work. The door jamb area is useless, and I ended up cutting it completely off, and the tailight area is crap on them so I used some original tailight openings.

There's about 11 feet of weld per quarter on my Nomad.

 

[F.I. 57 Belair]

Well I guess I will soon find out how well the import quarters fit and how well they are finished. I ordered a set from Case's today. I decided that I did not want to do the splice at the door opening because the shape of the edge is not right. Ralph said he has not had any complaints with the import quarters.
When I change them I will post some pics and let everyone know how they fit. Since I am replaceing the quarters I will also replace the wheel tubs and outer wheelhouse panels at the same time. With all of the new panels I will be putting on this car it should be around for another 50 + years. I guess my grandchildren can drive it if gasoline powered vehicles are not outlawed by then. Later
Tom

 

[F.I. 57 Belair]

If you can avoid making a cut along the top of the quarter like these Taiwan quarters allow you to do, I would go that route in a heartbeat. I will save you a ton of time and work and get a better result, imo. However, on a HT I believe you have a pinch weld on top of the quarter, so the butt-welding will be minimal and part of the seam is covered by the stainless cap. It's not that way on a 55 or 56 quarter.

I did my quarters with the crappy USA made ones (all that's available), and had to modify them to fit my Nomad (only HT quarters are available), and tweak them in other places to make them work. The door jamb area is useless, and I ended up cutting it completely off, and the tailight area is crap on them so I used some original tailight openings.

There's about 11 feet of weld per quarter on my Nomad.

Chevynut, I have followed your build on the Nomad for quite some time. Very impressive work. I saw what you went through to make your quarters work and that was enough to make me try out the imports. They do not cost that much more than the USA made ones that do not fit right. When I was at Case's on Monday to pick up my floor pan assy and trunk floor I looked at a quarter he had for a 56 HT. It splices at the factory seams just like the original. It includes the drain channel for the trunk lid also. Only issue with the import that I seen is you have to drill holes for the side trim. I figure I will use the old cutoffs to make a drill template.
Thanks for the reply.
Tom

 

[Rick_L]

Tom, are these for a 2 door ht? I wasn't aware they were available, that's good news.

 

[F.I. 57 Belair]

Rick, Yes they are for a 2 door ht. I am getting mine from Case's in Kendalville In. http://www.angelfire.com/sc/chevy/
1-800-466-0041 or (260) 636-3989.
Tom

Tom, are these for a 2 door ht? I wasn't aware they were available, that's good news.

 

[F.I. 57 Belair]

Picked up my new Import qtrs

I picked up my new import OEM style qtrs from Case's earlier this week. They look great. :tu:tu:tu They will splice just like the factory qtrs. They include the door jamb and the top of the qtr to the trunk lip and splice at the factory seam by the rear window. Only issue I can see is they do not have holes for the chrome. I will use a section from the old qtr as a drill guide and drill the holes from the back side supporting the face when I drill to avoid any distortion around the holes. I have to finish installing the 1 piece floor and trunk floor than I will install them. I will post pics in the project section in my 283/270 hp clone build thread.
Tom

 

[rj57]

Sounds like a lot of metal work. But I wish I had the funds to do the same with a couple of my '57s.

 

[F.I. 57 Belair]

Sounds like a lot of metal work. But I wish I had the funds to do the same with a couple of my '57s.

Actually replacing the full qtr will be less work than splicing in front and rear lower patch panels. There are only 2 short seams to hide where the factory seamed them. I have some lead from the old days and I think I will lead the seams. By removing the full qtr I can sandblast the inner qtr and it will make replacing the wheel tubs and outer wheel house easier. I will be posting pics in my build on the projects forum.
Tom

 

[cherrybomb57]

Hi F.I. 57 BelAir;
Did you install your quarters yet? I'm wondering how it looks and any problems you may have run into.

Are these the quarters in cases add for $690.00?

Thanks Tom

 

[F.I. 57 Belair]

Hi F.I. 57 BelAir;
Did you install your quarters yet? I'm wondering how it looks and any problems you may have run into.

Are these the quarters in cases add for $690.00?

Thanks Tom

Tom, I just started installing one of my imported OEM style quarters today. So far the fit is great. Door gaps are good, the fit to the rocker panel is great, it fits well at the splice above the trunk lid. The only issue I see at this point is where the splice is at the rear inner quarter to trunk lid panel. The drain channel is shallower and slightly wider than the original. I may just splice in a 6 in piece from the original if I cannot reshape it. I feel that this is a minor issue as the rest of the fit is great. I was really impressed in how straight the panel is. Should only need 2 coats of high build primer and a final sanding. Also the inside of the door jamb detailing and form is as good as the factory. The panels listed on Case's web site are the American parts. Call Ralph or ****** at Case's and they can quote you the import quarters. So far I am very pleased with mine. I will be updating my thread in the projects forum tomorrow and I will post some pictures of the install and show how they fit.
Hope this helps.
Tom

 

[rj57]

Actually replacing the full qtr will be less work than splicing in front and rear lower patch panels. There are only 2 short seams to hide where the factory seamed them. I have some lead from the old days and I think I will lead the seams. By removing the full qtr I can sandblast the inner qtr and it will make replacing the wheel tubs and outer wheel house easier. I will be posting pics in my build on the projects forum

Sounds like a lot work. But in the end probably worth the extra effort.

I took some (very) bad advice back in 1987 with my very first car. Now I'm trying to deal with repairing this large mistake.