Need help with channel removal

[therealfrogman]

As much as I appreciate the bugme video they only talked about how to get this section undone. I could see small divits at that bottom that looked like spot welds but I could not find any other ones. I have it cut inside about 3/4 inch from the firewall at the body seam.

This is a 65 bug, can anyone help me with how to do this?
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73 Camper Tin Top/Type 4 1.8 engine, Single progressive EMPI carb, electronic ignition SVDA W/ Vacuum.

Really appreciate what Everett has done here. Almost like he hand picked some of you. I am very thankful for all the help I get here.

[harley611]

If you post some more pics I may be able to help you. I recently removed my passenger side heater channel and am preparing to put a new one in. The removal takes some time and you have to pay attention. I had problems with the firewall area, but finally got it.

[therealfrogman]

harley611, I will get them up by tomorrow, please check back.
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73 Camper Tin Top/Type 4 1.8 engine, Single progressive EMPI carb, electronic ignition SVDA W/ Vacuum.

Really appreciate what Everett has done here. Almost like he hand picked some of you. I am very thankful for all the help I get here.

[therealfrogman]

Pic of the fender well

Pic of inside where I cut along the factory FW metal

Another pic of the front where I cant see any more spot welds

On the bugme video they cut along the flange on the inside where I cut but this would only help me if I cut all the way around and would still be left with that front piece to remove. They did show cutting off a solid weld at the front bottom and I started cutting there but it doesnt look like it would help unless I cut a big piece off of it. I dont know what year car they were working with either.....

Anybody want to jump in and advise me Im all ears...
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73 Camper Tin Top/Type 4 1.8 engine, Single progressive EMPI carb, electronic ignition SVDA W/ Vacuum.

Really appreciate what Everett has done here. Almost like he hand picked some of you. I am very thankful for all the help I get here.

[ocbugger]

There are more spot welds where the heater channel meets the heel board. The factory tucked the heater channel into the lip of the heel board as the heel board is hollow. Keep checking where the heater channel disappears into the heel board.

Good luck!

[therealfrogman]

Okay, I was aware of the spot welds around the flange that mates the channel to the firewall. However, in the bugme video they indicate wels to be at the front side as I displayed in my previous post. This pisses me off but not enough to dis Rick & Sons as I think overall they have shown some nifty approaches to this channel replacement, however, I found this part to be the MOST difficult part to do as I am guessing others have.

There is one big honkin weld at the base of the channel and firewall on the left that needs to be cut through, I decided to cut the front section of the firewall off just to see if and how the front end of the channel was welded, I cut it in the same shape as the new channel and there are no spot welds, period. The bottom section might as well be cut all the way across which means you might as well cut the whole section out as I did and just replace the metal.

Also, in the video they show you to cut a small section of weld off at the base of the fender well right at the end of the spot welds outside and this is pointless as the there are spot welds going up further. I understand that the car they were using was delapitated but it would have been better for a few of us to have all the facts rather than some of them.

I have everything loose and ready to come out but my back is spent so I will continue later. It has been a good learning experience as usual!
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73 Camper Tin Top/Type 4 1.8 engine, Single progressive EMPI carb, electronic ignition SVDA W/ Vacuum.

Really appreciate what Everett has done here. Almost like he hand picked some of you. I am very thankful for all the help I get here.

[therealfrogman]

I thought I might add one more note to this thread as far as what not to do, this is advice from a newbie. Dont be shy when you are cutting around the B pillar, my car had very smoothly welded corners at the base of the pillar and I was afraid to get too close to it because I wanted to save as much metal as possible, in the end I spent a couple hours grinding and cutting until I found the 20 or 22 gauge seam to remove the sheet metal that stayed up in the quarter panel. Here is a pic..

Again, this is my first attempt at something like this and need much more than the channels, I found rust all through the front cross member and both of the rear sides will need to be replaced as well as both front wheel well bottoms....

Hopefully some of my mistakes will help another first timer.
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73 Camper Tin Top/Type 4 1.8 engine, Single progressive EMPI carb, electronic ignition SVDA W/ Vacuum.

Really appreciate what Everett has done here. Almost like he hand picked some of you. I am very thankful for all the help I get here.

[Jerry Hundley]

I feel your pain buddy. I am replacing both heater channels,front firewall,rear chassis supports, both inner fender welss and bothe rear lower 1/4 panels.
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Jerry Hundley (AKA Slammed 66)

Because Stock Sucks!!!!
70 baywindow deluxe
65 slammed bug
69 bug
64 drag buggy

[Keith]

I'm getting ready to do all the same on my '74. I'm glad we have this support group! Take alot of pics and post them.

Oh and I looked at your gallery pics. I have the same crease in my heater channels as you do.
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Formerly known in the forums as "OVALTEEN"

"I firmly believe that some villagers from Botswana could probably build a better road than PennDot."- Splitty

"If you do anything to your car someone will hate on you for it. People absolutely love to complain and find fault with others. Don't let it bother you. Just live and have fun."- Lind

[therealfrogman]