Patch, or Replace inner fenders?

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383FormulaS67

383FormulaS67

Bob
Joined
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Need wisdom from A body members: how to patch Inner fenders that have cut outs from through headers. I would like to retain my current sheet metal as it's in VGC, / find good used doners & cut the patch from the doners, then cut & weld that patch onto mine! Or, just replace them?

Inner fender.jpg

 
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Both tasks involve a lot of work. Removing the engine is obviously required. The patches would be fairly simple, however, the complete panel would look far superior. Myself, I would do the panel on this car. If it was just a driver / cruiser that didn't have pedigree, I may patch it. That's not implying in any way I don't respect the cruiser car either. It's just if this is a real deal big block car it deserves to be done correctly.
 
gdrill is right in that taking the time to do a GOOD job on a patch will probably take about the same amount of time as replacing the entire inner fender. However, I believe that if the rest of the metal is, as you said, VGC, I would patch it to retain as much original metal as possible. I'd buy two new AMD inner panels and cut out what I needed (unless the area could be done with flat steel with a bend. couldn't tell from the pic). Getting EXACT cuts so as to leave the perfect gap for the perfect butt weld is very time consuming. If you can do that, go for it. It may be a bit easier to replace the entire panel, but you'll be cutting a LOT of spot welds. Good luck however you do it. If you lived close to me, I'd be glad to help.
 
I have done a number of these as it seems every car I buy had those damn fenderwell headers.....butchered in, I changed the entire panels on all from good original cars with great sheet metal to give up. Mind you that was long ago when the sheet metal was available in junk yards, now repo panels that are very good are available. Anyway, a patch is nice if done just right. I changed the entire panels on my cars because they chopped all the way to the firewall....and the bracing where the collector passes behind the front wheel. This piece I dont think they repo. Either way it is a lot of work. but the results are great! I cringe when I see fenderwell headers to this day lol
 
All depends on your welding skills, I could patch it and you would never know.
 
The new inner fenders fit very well and are one of the easiest panels to replace. I would replace them rather than patch.
 
When I did mine (sometime in 1996) I got a donor front clip and drilled out all the tack welds on both, replaced, and spot welded. My 69 Dart now has 71 Duster inner fenders. Like others have said the engine will need to come out either way as does anything on the inner fenders.
 
I would replace the inner panels. I have done patch jobs and by the time you cut, fit, weld, grind, body filler...... faster, easier and cleaner just to replace them. I have learned from this experience. My $.02
Good luck
 
gdrill said:
Both tasks involve a lot of work. Removing the engine is obviously required. The patches would be fairly simple, however, the complete panel would look far superior. Myself, I would do the panel on this car. If it was just a driver / cruiser that didn't have pedigree, I may patch it. That's not implying in any way I don't respect the cruiser car either. It's just if this is a real deal big block car it deserves to be done correctly.
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Well said!
She's all there, and deserves the best. I'm going in head first, wish me luck!
 
harrisonm said:
gdrill is right in that taking the time to do a GOOD job on a patch will probably take about the same amount of time as replacing the entire inner fender. However, I believe that if the rest of the metal is, as you said, VGC, I would patch it to retain as much original metal as possible. I'd buy two new AMD inner panels and cut out what I needed (unless the area could be done with flat steel with a bend. couldn't tell from the pic). Getting EXACT cuts so as to leave the perfect gap for the perfect butt weld is very time consuming. If you can do that, go for it. It may be a bit easier to replace the entire panel, but you'll be cutting a LOT of spot welds. Good luck however you do it. If you lived close to me, I'd be glad to help.
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True
gliderider06 said:
I would replace the inner panels. I have done patch jobs and by the time you cut, fit, weld, grind, body filler...... faster, easier and cleaner just to replace them. I have learned from this experience. My $.02
Good luck
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Thanks, I believe what you say. Sometimes one thinks extra labor hours will make up for buying cheaper parts, but that's not always the case.
 
marksmopar1 said:
I have done a number of these as it seems every car I buy had those damn fenderwell headers.....butchered in, I changed the entire panels on all from good original cars with great sheet metal to give up. Mind you that was long ago when the sheet metal was available in junk yards, now repo panels that are very good are available. Anyway, a patch is nice if done just right. I changed the entire panels on my cars because they chopped all the way to the firewall....and the bracing where the collector passes behind the front wheel. This piece I dont think they repo. Either way it is a lot of work. but the results are great! I cringe when I see fenderwell headers to this day lol
Click to expand...
Yes, thanks for priceless info... They did cut the driver side firewall edge close, and the glad you mentioned: the floor/fender bracing is cut. I assume I have fab the bracing, and or find a doner car close by to scab it from ??? Thanks!
 
marksmopar1 said:
I have done a number of these as it seems every car I buy had those damn fenderwell headers.....butchered in, I changed the entire panels on all from good original cars with great sheet metal to give up. Mind you that was long ago when the sheet metal was available in junk yards, now repo panels that are very good are available. Anyway, a patch is nice if done just right. I changed the entire panels on my cars because they chopped all the way to the firewall....and the bracing where the collector passes behind the front wheel. This piece I dont think they repo. Either way it is a lot of work. but the results are great! I cringe when I see fenderwell headers to this day lol
Click to expand...

It does take a lot of strength out of the front end, people don't think about the structure of the car when they hack a big hole in it. You can brace it up and help it out but nobody does it.
 
383FormulaS67 said:
Yes, thanks for priceless info... They did cut the driver side firewall edge close, and the glad you mentioned: the floor/fender bracing is cut. I assume I have fab the bracing, and or find a doner car close by to scab it from ??? Thanks!
Click to expand...

Yes find a doner car for the lower brace. Most cars these dont really rust out, a bit of work to get them out but not all that bad......installing these is no issue and will look very good and you will be happy you did it right! Nice car by the way,,,I have the same 67 383-S But an automatic. Same deal it had chopped up inner fenders ETc..ETC...Lots of flex with all the cut out metal! Good luck,,,you can do it!
 
Here is the Barracuda I am doing now 69 383-S 4 speed car. As you can see I am also replacing the section to the firewall, it was cut and butchered that far back. Just so you know,,,the AMD pieces that they sell for the firewall to apron section fit excellent on the passenger side but do not fit at all on the driver side. They made mirror images of the part Left and right but they are not the same left to right. I cut a set from a donar car. In the back ground in a Dart Convertible I also had just finished the same repair on the inner fenders. Grrrrrr Hate fenderwell headers..lol

69 Barracuda 383 front end1.JPG


69 Barracuda 383 front end2.JPG


69 Barracuda front end3.JPG
 
That's china for you, the left has the battery so they are definitely different.
 
brian6pac said:
It does take a lot of strength out of the front end, people don't think about the structure of the car when they hack a big hole in it. You can brace it up and help it out but nobody does it.
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Yes, I do see structural fatigue, cracks etc. happening.
 
marksmopar1 said:
Here is the Barracuda I am doing now 69 383-S 4 speed car. As you can see I am also replacing the section to the firewall, it was cut and butchered that far back. Just so you know,,,the AMD pieces that they sell for the firewall to apron section fit excellent on the passenger side but do not fit at all on the driver side. They made mirror images of the part Left and right but they are not the same left to right. I cut a set from a donar car. In the back ground in a Dart Convertible I also had just finished the same repair on the inner fenders. Grrrrrr Hate fenderwell headers..lol

View attachment 1715206023

View attachment 1715206024

View attachment 1715206025
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Thanks for the pics!! The lip edge on your firewall is removed. My is also cut badly. Is that an AMD part or what the hay??
 
383FormulaS67 said:
Thanks for the pics!! The lip edge on your firewall is removed. My is also cut badly. Is that an AMD part or what the hay??
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My panels attached to the firewall were cut right up to the firewall,,,so I drilled them out entirely. The AND Panels I bought are ok for the passenger side, but do not fit the drivers side at all. I am not using the AMD panels now as I found a great set of panels from a donar car. Drill out spot weld..drill..drill..drill.. The pictures are before I installed the new panels...almost done now.
 
Find original panels if you can.
I used AMD for mine and as stated before, the passenger side fits decent, the drivers side is a complete nightmare, I had to split the panel to get it to fit correctly.
 
sireland67 said:
Find original panels if you can.
I used AMD for mine and as stated before, the passenger side fits decent, the drivers side is a complete nightmare, I had to split the panel to get it to fit correctly.
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Thanks! Is it then worth it to buy an AMD drivers side ?? One has to ponder...
 
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