Fitting a rear panel

I've got to the point now of the project where I need to fit my new rear panel.  I was just wondering, from anyone who has done one, if they have got any words of wisdom on this matter.
So far I have gone around the panel with a screwdriver to find out where it is just seam sealer and where it is welded?

Is the panel welded anywhere else other than inside the boot?  

Thanks

Dan 8)

Chudd's done his

Oh yeah, that's the pic of his you use on your site!!
I'll see if he posts anything and if not, I can always PM him

Daddy Here are my simple tips .
Providing you have some basic skills its quite easy to replace the back panel .
First job is to locate the spot welds around the panel , so get the wire cup brush out on the angle grinder and brush away around the panel edges and centre . If you look at pic 2 you can see exactly where the spot welds are supposed to be . Next 6.5mm drill and drill straight through the spot welds , you are going to plug weld the new panel from the inside not out side .

Carefully start to unpick the old panel making sure you do not damage or distort the remaning part of the car . You should be left with a car as per picture 1 . If your boot floor where it meets the back panel is rotten chop that out as it will be easier to make up that part with a simple piece of angle . Repair spare wheel well now while you can still see it !

Mount new panel when you have cleaned up all edges [ there is practically no danger of getting it wrong as it fits so well but test the rear hatch will shut properly and all the lines look good ] using mole grips clamps etc ready for welding . Weld from the back using your MIG through the holes and edges on to the new panel . Don't forget to weld the panel to the now repaired spare wheel well at the bottom and spot weld the lower corners from behind to the existing wheel arch.   

Pic3 shows my panel fitted some primer slapped on then seam sealer liberally applied before painting . I borrowed pic 1 and pic 2 as it shows very well where the spot welds are located pic3 is my car.

By welding from the rear the only part you will have grind down and skim fill will be the top of the panel , this of course is hidden when the hatch is shut .

Its very satisfying when its on and welded , but be prepared to find more hidden rot at the lower part of the wheel arches when you take it off and use plenty of weldable primer on all the repairs to preserve the work for the future . I hate to think what i would have done with my rear end had i not been able to get a new panel from crazyquiff on here . Its been worth every penny .     

Hope this helps you  :dontknow: Be nice to see some pics of your progress if you can ? Any problems you know where advice is  :wink:

Cheers…..    
            









It will look like this later  

Managed to get most of this done yesterday, only stopped by fading light but otherwise very happy with my new rear panel!!!  















Still got to sort out a bit more welding on it but as you can see, it is a lot better than before!!!

Just need to get rid of that crappy white steering wheel now :mrgreen:
Thanks for the tips mate

Nice work there  8)

Ohh that panel looks good  :wink:

Mornin Phil - my head hurts  

well that's a good sign of a good day :wink:

A great panel

The car is coming along well now, engine is being rebuilt so should be ready later this week.  Engine bay needs another coat of paint before it goes in.
Just got to fit the front panel then and I'm away (except for the other 100 little things I've got to sort out!!)

 8)

Well done mate  ……..

Quite satisfiying when its on and primered , how many cups of tea did your order through the window      


Cheers…

always nice to see pics on here so keep em coming

Just a couple of cups of tea, didn't have enough spare time to keep putting the kettle on

Don't worry, the white steering wheel is not stopping on the car, a little bit too 80's for me :mrgreen: