Technical 31 Model A Coupe - Fill Roof Before or After Chop

I'll be giving my Model A a 4 inch haircut later this summer, and am wondering if I should weld in a filler panel to the roof before or after chopping? I'm thinking it would be prudent to fill first, just looking for confirmation.

If not, reasons I should chop first?

 

Restored car of field find?

 

Great question... hoping for great answers, too.

 

I like your chop plan but I keep pushing for more roof inserts.... Show pics of your chop when done... **clic pics**

 

Not a restored car, just a complete rusted old running car that I have somewhat torn down. Bad wood in quite a few areas, needs a few patch panels on the back half.

 

If you align & cut well, I'd be tempted to wait on the roof. It will create a stiff panel. Depends if you want do a 'unit' versus, doing each corner as "plumb".

 

Its not going to matter really. Model A is a very straight forward chop. I dont see the potential for the roof to move in any weird way if left unfilled. Theres not a lot of fiddling with stuff to make it fit.

For what its worth I chopped one 5 inches no insert. Went well. Most straight forward chop ive done.

 

for easy access for the work, wait til last.

 

DONT DO IT FIRST!!! Do the chop first then fill the roof only after the chop is completely finished. Metal warps when you weld it even if just a little bit. But if is warped 1/16 of an inch at near the weld location it will be exaggerated but the time you get all the way out to the chop locations. I have chopped 3 model A coupes that all had the roof filled first, some done right some done horribly. All of them made getting the panels to line up at the chop much harder. Last A I chopped was infilled and was a breeze to get it lined up. Had in done in a week of evenings. Chop then fill.

 

align ALL panels first. everything should be straight and solid before chopping. I would fill the roof after wards. having the roof open will make it easier to work/lift/finish . just my opinion.

 

Wait until it is chopped.


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Thanks, looks like chop then fill is the way to go. I appreciate all the input.

 

A word of advice.

Ask the HAMB about the window pivot placement. I didn't on mine and it ended up being a hassle. You don't think about it until you get ready to figure out how to chop the ws frame.

I'm not sure where I went wrong, but just think about it up front. I'm sure that the guys hat have done a lot of model A's could tell you more.

I don't have an answer, because I sold mine before it was finished. You just want the geometry to be right so the window hinges are placed correctly. It's been a few years and I can't remember exactly, but it seems like the sliders get in the way of something.

Sorry to be so vague.