Best way to reinstall tabs that have been removed for side exhaust

[Garry B.]

I will be removing the side exhaust currently on my car and returning it to under body exhaust. Specially, I want to learn how best to reinstall the fiberglass tabs at the front and rear of the rocker panel that were cut off when the side pipes were installed. Thanks in advance.
Garry
18531

[Richard M.]

Re: Best way to reinstall tabs that have been removed for side exhaust

Garry, I would get some thin sheet fiberglass and bond it to what is left. Then apply some fb cloth/resin to the backside to fill the area to even its thickness. Then properly reshape. Then blackout.

It will take some time(x 4) to do this.

Rich

[Garry B.]

Re: Best way to reinstall tabs that have been removed for side exhaust

Rich, you are one of the best, so thanks for your response. So that I can be clear, you suggest the sheet fiberglass be applied to the outward surface across the cut seam. Would this be over the entire tab surface or a wide strip covering the seam only? Would the backside would be filled with the same cloth or resin and fibers to cover the seam while trying to keep it looking as natural as possible. In my case the original black(dark gray) fiberglass color. Do I have this right?

[James G.]

Re: Best way to reinstall tabs that have been removed for side exhaust

You don't happen to have the cut off tabs do you?

[Garry B.]

Re: Best way to reinstall tabs that have been removed for side exhaust

James, the actual ones that came off the car are MIA. I do however have two '67 fronts with the brackets still attached from a buddy's car and plan to use them. I am looking for two rears tabs because they didn't remove them from my buddy's car. Why do you ask?

[Richard M.]

Re: Best way to reinstall tabs that have been removed for side exhaust

Garry, Here are a few images I just did to help explain. Good you have those fronts. It'll save time.

I don't have photos of a non-N14 car but the AIM shows in dotted lines what was to be cut. If you have to re-make the outer facing curved rocker ends that'll be a bit trickier.... Rich

67_LeftRearN14_AIM.jpg



67_LeftRearN14_AIM_Mod.jpg
Left Rear (blue outline showing area to re-make with sheet fiberglass)
67LeftRearN14Mod.jpg

Right Rear for reference.
67_RightRearN14.jpeg

[James G.]

Re: Best way to reinstall tabs that have been removed for side exhaust

I wasn't sure if you were trying to construct the entire tab or if you were trying to attach tabs which you have.

To re-attach I would bevel the cut edges back 1/4" or so and then fabricate some type of jig to hold the tab correctly in place while the resin sets.

Cut some roven mat 1/8" wide 1/4" and 3/8"
Rough the ends and saturate with resin jig up and lay the 1/8" then 1/4 then 3/8 into the bevel until level with existing then file and sand.
IF you need to dye the resin you can use a little carbon black additionally there are other color dyes for resin.

[Garry B.]

Re: Best way to reinstall tabs that have been removed for side exhaust

James, exactly the input i was looking for. How would you handle the seam on the back side?

[Garry B.]

Re: Best way to reinstall tabs that have been removed for side exhaust

Rich, I am a visual learner so this help significantly. I need to remove one side of the side pipes so I can see what I dealing with....including how the prior owner cut off the brackets.

[Harry S.]

Re: Best way to reinstall tabs that have been removed for side exhaust

Rich, I am a visual learner so this help significantly. I need to remove one side of the side pipes so I can see what I dealing with....including how the prior owner cut off the brackets.

Hopefully he just bent the brackets back.

[Richard M.]

Re: Best way to reinstall tabs that have been removed for side exhaust

Garry,

See Lee Bumb page 6. He has the outer fender tabs, Item #29.

http://leebumbcomposites.com/flipbook/?page=6

Rich

[Garry B.]

Re: Best way to reinstall tabs that have been removed for side exhaust

Harry, that would be great wouldn't it, but I contacted the guy that put the side pipes on when he restored the car and he told me that he cut them off. What I don't know is where on the bracket he did the cut. That will determine a lot of "go forward" plans.

[James G.]

Re: Best way to reinstall tabs that have been removed for side exhaust

James, exactly the input i was looking for. How would you handle the seam on the back side?

Build it up with resin and mat - you may be able to use a piece of tape as a backer and then the build required on the rear should be minimal.

If your work area is tight - sand it with a piece of sand paper stuck to a paint paddle.
I prefer to make every repair as near to original in appearance as possible when viewed from any angle.

The fiberglass shown in this photo is roven mat.
20200416_145354.jpg
Here is a 66 wheel lip rebuilt.
Resized_20201202_193132.jpg

[Scott P.]

Re: Best way to reinstall tabs that have been removed for side exhaust

Gary, I have several sets of removed front and rear tabs and the metal brackets. I believe they are all 67 black glass. LICS used to sell these repair pieces, maybe Zip will. These that I have are for sale.
Another method of reattachment would be to use thin fiberglass sheet as a backing and epoxy or panel adhesive the new pieces on. Should result in no sanding on the repaired side and show very little if examined. Nobody looks closely at under chassis exhaust or the inside of the rocker area.
The rear area that was cut out will be tough to fix cause its hard to cut out but I would do it the same way.
Pictures of the cutoff pieces if you want. Fogaley@sbcglobal.net Scott