Removing factory glued panels

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Jan 8, 2006 | 09:40 PM

fattmann

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Tuned

Joined: Aug 2004

Posts: 311

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From: Omaha, NE

Removing factory glued panels

I have an 87 Ford E-150 and the front foot wells (seat to firewall, right wall to doghouse) are rotting out. It appears that the panels are glued in factory. Either that or the joint is just caulked, but pretty sure its factory for similar material can be found all over the van.

So my issuse is two part: Is it actually glued in there? And if so, what's the best way of getting it out?

I'd rather knock the glue out and remove the panel with as little sawing as possibly and get a new one from the local U-Pull-It. Then either weld it in my self (probably a bad idea in the long run) or get it welded in. Figured if it was glued and could be punched out, would save alot of trouble cutting and patching back in.

Thanks in advance for any info/advice.

Jan 9, 2006 | 05:39 PM

kenseth17

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Joined: Nov 2003

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From: green bay, WI

If it were glued in with panel adhesive, then take a heat gun and get real hot and then use a putty knife to start prying and seperating the panels. That seems to be a pretty early vehicle though to have panels adhesived from the factory. Door skins have been adhesived on on some cars for quite awile, but don't think too many other panels were. I could be wrong. Are you sure its not just a seam sealer you are seeing? Do you see any spot welds anywhere?

Jan 9, 2006 | 05:59 PM

fattmann

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Tuned

Joined: Aug 2004

Posts: 311

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From: Omaha, NE

Well not too sure, now that I have been playing with it I think it may not be glued. There is the subframe crossmember under the body mount panel that is rusted out. So I guess it was just a seam. But why would they caulk the seam? I would think they would just weld it.

Jan 9, 2006 | 06:45 PM

kenseth17

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From: green bay, WI

seams are bad spots for water to get in, as well as dirt buildup which causes corrosion, they must be filled in and sealed so a seam sealer is applyed.

Jan 10, 2006 | 07:13 PM

fattmann

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Tuned

Joined: Aug 2004

Posts: 311

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From: Omaha, NE

Thanks. I will probably go down the the local junkyard and practice cutting out the panels I need on a shot van. Pretty sure now that I was wrong about it being glued.