Has anyone completely dismantled an early A-Body for parts? Pics?

[phogroian]

I have a worn '65 Valiant 4-dr that I want to part out to feed two other '65 Valiants and a '64. I'd like to cut out the trunk and the rear panels and I need a door, the hood, the bumpers, engine head, etc. and would like to completely cut the car apart and cart away the pieces that I don't want. Has anyone here done this and do you have any pointers?

 

[66340SEDAN]

I have a worn '65 Valiant 4-dr that I want to part out to feed two other '65 Valiants and a '64. I'd like to cut out the trunk and the rear panels and I need a door, the hood, the bumpers, engine head, etc. and would like to completely cut the car apart and cart away the pieces that I don't want. Has anyone here done this and do you have any pointers?

I have parted a few early a-body cars, they get rusty here so thats why it happens, but I save every good part I can, someone will need it. They don't make many new parts for the early-a car so save what you can, also can sell the extras and support your build :cheers:

 

[pishta]

Its a unibody. You can pretty much cut the front rails at the firewall or cut them out at the torsion bar mounts. The front clip has value, ie fenders and radiator support as well as lower valance, bumper, supports and suspension. I would take the inner fenderwells off your hands if your selling them but they need to be cut out at the spot welds to be reused. Doors are useable, glass, interior, etc. Rear might include fuel tank, rear quarters if they are cut out past the usual mounting lines, rear bumper, mounts and all the trim pieces. There is a wrecking guy down in San Diego that is selling a front clip for a 65, look on craigslist San Diego for Barracuda. He has had it for sale for at least 2 years. I almost bought the front clip minus fenders for 150 but couldnt pull the trigger and his prices have not come down in 2 years. You can do it with a sawz-all and a box of blades. Nothing is over 14g as far as I can tell. Even the frame rails are suprisingly thin.

 

[64val67gtx]

Yes, save everything, go invest in a spot weld drillbit so that u can take it apart correctly. i have done this a number of times.

 

[cosgig]

Patience... and time!! Ahhh, Grasshopper, wise words indeed!!

Yep, save everything thats good, you'll be glad you did as you reassemble the other cars!! Good luck with your project, Geof

 

[SSVDP]

I have parted out a few but I never cut one totally apart I always had the scrap guy come and get it - of course now they'll give you some cash AND take it away.

It is a lot of time & effort but it isn't tricky. It is pretty straightforward how it comes apart, if not then we can help on this site. The first two I took apart I used a $40 portable tool set since I didn't have room at my house to work on it.

The one thing I'm thinking about is the windshield needs to be removed to get the dash out, I usally cut the window seal to get the front glass out unless it's a convertible since those seals aren't reproduced.

There aren't too many new/repro parts for these cars so you might be surprised what people might need. Keep or offer to others anything that you can remove.

I ran a local Craigslist add to sell some of the stuff I didn't need and met some local Mopar A-body guys that were able to help. That's how I met Chryslerfat, I wasn't cutting off any sheet metal but he showed up with his torches, was able to get what he needed and he cut off a few things for me.

Just have at it! It's about the only way to get what you need.

 

[phogroian]

Thanks for the encouragement- I'd hate to send it to the scrapper with useful parts on it, plus I would have a difficult time getting a scrap dealer to come all the way to me (near city) to take away a stipped car (I may need the rear axle, so it will not even be rolling). The rear quarters are good- any advice on where to cut them for use on another Valiant?

 

[chryslerfat]

Thanks for the encouragement- I'd hate to send it to the scrapper with useful parts on it, plus I would have a difficult time getting a scrap dealer to come all the way to me (near city) to take away a stipped car (I may need the rear axle, so it will not even be rolling). The rear quarters are good- any advice on where to cut them for use on another Valiant?

Cut them below the fuel cap.

 

[chryslerfat]

Good enough? This was 3 Barracudas

 

[cudamark]

Thanks for the encouragement- I'd hate to send it to the scrapper with useful parts on it, plus I would have a difficult time getting a scrap dealer to come all the way to me (near city) to take away a stipped car (I may need the rear axle, so it will not even be rolling). The rear quarters are good- any advice on where to cut them for use on another Valiant?

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If you're cutting them off to sell, sell them first while they're on the car and have the new owner mark where he wants them cut. That way there is no arguement about cutting them in the wrong place. If you're cutting them for your own future use and have the room, I like to cut it complete, beyond all the factory welds. Generally that is 1 foot forward of the door opening, across to the center of the hump, back to the center of the trunk lock cylinder. I cut the roof at about the same point so I can stand the quarter panel on end so it needs less storage area. If room is a problem and you don't need frame rails or a lot of the upper or inner sheet metal, cut it at least 2" above a body line and just outboard of the frame rail. I like to keep the taillight area and a few inches of trunk panel.

 

[cudamark]

Its a unibody. You can pretty much cut the front rails at the firewall or cut them out at the torsion bar mounts. The front clip has value, ie fenders and radiator support as well as lower valance, bumper, supports and suspension. I would take the inner fenderwells off your hands if your selling them but they need to be cut out at the spot welds to be reused. Doors are useable, glass, interior, etc. Rear might include fuel tank, rear quarters if they are cut out past the usual mounting lines, rear bumper, mounts and all the trim pieces. There is a wrecking guy down in San Diego that is selling a front clip for a 65, look on craigslist San Diego for Barracuda. He has had it for sale for at least 2 years. I almost bought the front clip minus fenders for 150 but couldnt pull the trigger and his prices have not come down in 2 years. You can do it with a sawz-all and a box of blades. Nothing is over 14g as far as I can tell. Even the frame rails are suprisingly thin.

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I have some '64 inner fenders if you still need some. They'd have to be picked up here in San Diego.