Body panel replacement tips/advice needed

well, the flange-punch tool(harbor freight) will definately help. it s pretty cheap too. the clecos (dagger tools)are SUPER helpful. they ll hold the panel in place for you while you tac it up. spot weld cutting bits(harbor freight). i buy a lot of air tools from harbor freight. i ve NEVER broke any air tool from there. they re cheap to boot. make sure the metal where you re gonna put your welds is clean. i would flange the lower quarter patches. it gives you a nice lip to slide the patch behind the existing quarter, and also gives you a ton of strength. it will help keep the metal from warping. i always get the piece fitting really well, first. then tack it. i usually put my tacs about an inch apart. i wouldn t cool it with a wet rag. it cools a little too fast, and can cause more warp. i usually use a blow gun. after i get it all tacked...i ll go back thru and tac in between the first set of tacs. cool it a little. then, wire brush across the welds to get em clean. then just keep repeating the tacs, cooling, and brushing till they all overlap and the whole gap is closed.
as far as the tail lite panel...clean the lead out of the seams between the tail panel and the quarters. then u can use a spot weld cutter(harbor freight-might need a couple bits) to drill out the factory spot welds. there are also some along the bottom of the panel where it mates to the trunk floor. after that... the new one should go back in the same way the old one came out. just plug welds.
i would get all the new sheet metal first before you start takin your car apart though. make sure they re of the same size and dimensions. i just put a full quarter on my 72 demon from AMD and it fit, but it need some persuasion. if you wanna check it out check my thread out under members restorations. 72 demon 340 resto. good luck. if you need any other help...pm me.