I'm thinking of replacing my rusted roof off my 72 with one off of a 72 at the junkyard. I'm a beginner at this and could use some advice. I know that the roof is attached to the quarter panel with a lead seam and a brace. My first task is to cut off the roof at the junkyard, but where should I cut it, at the bottom of the posts? Or should I remove it at the seam by heating the lead and popping off the tack welds? My posts are good so I could replace just the top of the roof, but where is the best place to weld the new roof? Thanks, -Erick
At the junk yard, I would cut it off at the base of the pillers just to get it home. Then talk to whoever is going to do the work and see what they want to do. Before you actually remove the roof from your car, weld in lots of braces inside the car so the body dont sag, once you remove the roof. If I was going to take on that project, I'd follow the original edges.
Me and my buddy Ken are going to replace his roof in the next couple of weeks. Our plan is to cut and weld on the new roof as low on the "A" "B" and "C" pillars as possible so we don't mess up the lead seams. He also welded on some threw floor subframe connectors to help keep the body in place.
They route I am going, per body shop instruction, is to cut the donor roof off below the factory joints. This will allow the body shop to separate the joints in a controlled environment, instead of trying it 'hit and miss' in the yard with the donor car. It also serves to protect the factory joints during any moving or storage until the roof is installed. The old roof will be taken off at the joints. To do it any other way would create a nightmare getting everything lined back up. The joints are slipped together and fitted for easy alignment. Kinda like tongue in groove plywood. I was told that the donor roof would need braces welded in, he didn't mention the body of the car. Before the donor roof is removed, it must be decently braced with square steel tubing. Basically boxed nicely from pillar to pillar. Then you can cut it off without worry of it twisting or tweaking... which would be permanant damage and prevent the roof from every aligning correctly again. After the whole replacement is done, only then will the bracing be removed. The body man also told me that the front pillars can have a box cut into them, after the joint is welded, and then have a little extra metal installed for strength. I don't know if our cars need this, he just said it is something he does on all roof jobs. I saw a 2002 Chevy extended cab truck that had a tree fall on it, that he had just replaced the roof on. He also replaced the tops of a front and rear door. The thing was dark blue and I would never have known without him telling me. The paint was ever so slightly different, but the seams were not visible at all. The interior covered everything inside. Great job. He quoted 500 with all glass R&R. Dave
Nah, Maaco would do your whole car with paint for that. They're just a small step up from Earl Shieb (are they still around? "I'll paint any car for $39.95")?
I still have to supply the donor roof. I have to remove the donor, brace it, and trailer the car and roof to him. His price is for R&R of my roof, glass, and prime the whole affected area after install. I also told him that I would handle all interior labor... like headliner R&R, etc... Dave
Here a couple of pics of what Tom and I did this weekend, 1st. is of old roof, no roof, the rest are of new
Nice job , can I hire you guys to do mine? The donor roof is still sitting at the junkyard down the street from my house and I'm even in SoCal. Kind of kidding, kind of serious. Actually, I would love to do that to mine and have been thinking of doing it for a while now, I'm just not convinced that I could do it right. My friend at work says it would be pretty easy, but I think I need a little more knowledge and experience. How many hours did it take you? What was the most difficult part and were there any major problems? My other option is to replace smaller portions of the roof and fill in pitted areas...or just part out the car and send the rest to the scrapper. It would be great to discuss this with you by PM, email or phone. Thanks, -Erick
I’m looking for a roof for my 72 comet. I’m in the Bay Area Cali and was wondering if one of you fine members could direct me to a salvage yard or specialist who may assist me with obtain a good roof skin to replace the damaged one caused from the aged vynil top
