BAD Posted August 9, 2010 Report Share Posted August 9, 2010 My header panel has an oil can effect to it from the years of use. I was wondering what everyone did to reinforce them. I was thinking of just plug welding a brace on the back for some extra support, but I was wondering what everyone else did Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
starquestG54B Posted August 9, 2010 Report Share Posted August 9, 2010 dont lean on it! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Burton Posted August 9, 2010 Report Share Posted August 9, 2010 You can weld something in for strength, but tack welds may require a little body work on the outside, since it will certainly burn the paint off. You could also find a plece of firm plastic and glue them on the back side of the header panel with an epoxy glue. Problem solved, not body work or repainting neccessarry. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mistapickles Posted August 9, 2010 Report Share Posted August 9, 2010 your header panel has a tin can effect from years of incorrect body work. It's all stretched out is why it does that, what you need to do is heat shrink it. Lightly, and I do mean lightly like with 180 grit sand paper, remove the paint two inches wider than the tin can area. If you use a grinder you are just going to make the problem worse, take the time and slowly and carefully remove the paint. Get a bucket of water, a clean old towel and a brazing propane torch. Put the towel in the water and begin to use the torch to heat the metal, slowly circle the tin can area with the torch about five inches away. If you hold the torch too close or heat the metal too fast, you may as well throw the header panel away because the heat spreading will make the tin canning happen over the header. Heat the panel slowly then when it is hot, like cooking eggs hot, pull the towel out of the bucket and press it firmly against the hot area. It'll steam and sizzle and all that, but keep holding it there until no steam or sound continues. Pull the towel away and check it, it should tighten up. You might have to do it more than once, but dont get carried away, the amount of heat you put on is directly proportional to probability you will screw it up. Have fun Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pure_insanity Posted August 11, 2010 Report Share Posted August 11, 2010 i dunno dude, thats a risky move for someone who doesnt know anything about bodywork. you can get lucky or you can wipe the header panel out. i recomend you go with the safer method of glueing something to the backside. in my opinion, its too risky for someone that doesnt know about shrinking metal to try it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mistapickles Posted August 12, 2010 Report Share Posted August 12, 2010 as long as you remember slow is good, you'll be fine Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts