Technical 50 gm a body question , rear quarters

is the sheetmetal in the inner quarters by the wheel radius ( outer panel ) any structual value ?? as I will not be running skirts on mine and want to put a wider tire under it and was looking at possibly cutting it out to gain some room if I do cut it out will I gain about 1" ???
not looking to do a full radius outside g***er cut to make the tire fit . and I do not want it to oil can if the inner metal is removed

 

Can ya get enough room by rolling the edge up and in? sometimes that's all ya need and the rolled edge is gentler on the tire sidewalls.
-Pat

 

I believe Eastwood makes a tool just for that very purpose. Sorry no pictures.

 

So does Louisville slugger

 

Thought that was part of the paint prep kit.

 

It is, and it's in a lot of other kits too. You really can't be without one.

 

its not the outside panel that in question but the inside panel thats in the way , the inner wheel house on the outer fender . and I am retaining the stock lip style ( the skirt style opening )

 

Tubbing it would not be traditional.

 

You want to cut the inner wheel house out ?
They usually support the 1/4s

 

the pieces on the inside of the fender on the outershell , right above the wheel opening but below the wheelhouse its right above where the skirt attaches to the quarter

 

on many of the early 50's gm cars that use or had fender skirts, the outer 1/4 and inner wheelhouse come together at the roll under flange, as you rise above this point the the outer 1/4 and inner wheelhouse mya and often does pull away from each other, so it may be more than just cutting a bigger opening

 

thats the answer I was kind of looking for , can that peice be removed ?? without the fender deforming or is it a structural/ load bearing piece?? I can modify the wheel house if needed to close the gaps to the fender at the top and roll the inside lip . it feels like its 2 " thick ( cannot get a measurement on it at the moment . ) trying to fit a 28 tall x 12 section width tire