Body mod

[rbarton]

Hey guys,

I need some advice. I have a 66 Nova that I'm getting ready to start on. I want to cut a square hole in front of the rear fender for a box type exhaust tip. This is my first body mod and I don't want to damage the body. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

[aarondupont]

Rick: Drill a hole close to the size of the box. Then use a needle file to square it. Just file a little at a time until the exhaust tip is virtually a press fit. Hope that helps. Aaron Dupont

[rbarton]

Rick: Drill a hole close to the size of the box. Then use a needle file to square it. Just file a little at a time until the exhaust tip is virtually a press fit. Hope that helps. Aaron Dupont

Thanks, Aaron. I'll try that.

[Agent G]

Just go slow and keep checking the hole against the part.

G

[imatt88]

measure twice, cut once.......

[Gluhead]

What I like to do is scuff the area just a little with some fine grit so that I can draw on it with a good ol' sharp #2 pencil. Once I've redrawn it 20 times then out come the cutting tools. Like mentioned, with the hole you want, start by drilling. I usually use a bit fairly smaller than what I need...it's a lot easier to make a hole bigger than it is to make it smaller...then I usually get it pretty close with the knife and finish with a file of the appropriate profile. Also as mentioned, test fit often.

Since you're not used to doing this yet, a few other pieces of headache prevention: 1) make sure you always use nice sharp blades when you are shaping/carving. 2) work in slivers. don't try to take all the material at once. especially until you get the feel for it, baby-step your way to the mark. and 3) if you are ever unsure how it's going to go, practice the mod on a piece of scrap.

And if you screw up anyway, don't stress. It'll give you an opportunity to learn how to do the repair.

[scalenut]

taping off around it is a little extra insurance also

[Abell82]

Just tape off the WHOLE fender, with masking tape. Then decide where and how you want your hole.

Draw your hole with a pencil, on the tape and see if it looks "right". If not try it again... and then trim the tape in the shape of the hole with a sharp knife.

The tape left behind will act as a guide, so that you can scribe the hole out, using the back of the knife.

Well... that's how I'd do it anyway.

Edited January 3, 2012 by Abell82

[weasel]

^^^^and use it for the other side also, that way there're spaced the same in the 1/4...