I'd like to radius the rear wheel wells on my some day to be finished 1952 Chevrolet gasser. Have looked but haven't found a tech on the subject. Any suggestions on how to lay it out and how to finish it? Thanks. Pete
most of the old race cars that i have fixed the rotting off radiused wheel wells where just cut out in an arc from the wheel center the electrical conduit brazed around the edge. I repaired them the same way but miged them in and blended them into the body.
Tingler. That is almost exactly what I did with my Henry J. The only exception being I used a rim to hang the string to.. Gimme a minute and I'll find some pics.. -Abone.
Von Tingler has it right. I actually used an axle puller to give me a true center of the axle and used a string and a sharpy. when I was happy with the marked radius I used my Cheap Plasma cutter and a wire (stronger than the string) to do the cutting. To finish off the cut I used 1/2" diameter Hydraulic tubing which I bent over the outside diameter of a tire. This was then welded to the cut edge of the fender to give a nice rounded edge. It looks like the rolled fender lip.
Thanks for all of the quick help. Most of it makes perfect sense. Where do you position the tubing? Center of the cut, to the inside, or to the outside? Pete
Tootall..I used 1/2 hydraulic tubing also.....happened to be some in the shit pile at work... Here is the only pic I could find. Basicly, I marked the radius using the string and Sharpie method, then cut out the offending 1/4 panel with a jig saw. Next, I bent some 1/2 tibing over the tire to give it the general shape, then welded it to the 1/4. Finished weld, grind, bondo, repeat if nessesary. -Abone.
Depends on whether you want a flare or not. Best tubing to use is steel hydraulic (brake line) - conduit is galvanized & you know what a mess that can be. You can also use old VW fenders - just cut out as much as you need & weld it in. Instant pre-made lip. ~ Paul aka "Tha Driver" Giggle Cream - it makes dessert *funny*!
Good info guys, thanks. Buffaloracer, how far along are you on your gasser?; I'm considering buildin my 52 Chev in the gasser style also. Got any info or pics? Thanks
Pretty much everything has been said.......although at one time I considered using 1987 Volvo 240 front fenders.
Rusty1, Sorry, no pictures. Keep looking at digital cameras and then buying something else. To all, Thanks for the help. Pete
I would think it would look nice if you got another set of front fenders and used the lips from them, then the front would match the back. The conduit method really looks 60's style, though.