Technical Enhancing EMS patch panels

Apparently , we now know what is more important

 

I'm back at it. I can actually say the EMS panels force me to learn how to use my bead roller. I was able to mix & match bead roll dies in uncommon pairs to sharpen and soften the lines. I'm definitely much more confident in my ability to fabricate using



Got both cowl and quarter panel patches done as well as rebuilding the bottom of the A-Pillars. Also started removing and replacing the bad patch work that was covering the hinges on the jambs.



Looking for a pair of 35/36 upper doors/window frames. The more I fix, the more I see that needs fixing. This chop has some really horrible owner done work. Best repair is to replace.

 

Did some repairs to the A-Pillars. Didn't go nuts but did use some 14 gauge to rebuild the A-Pillar. Got a couple more pieces to make tomorrow. Nothing pretty but solid IMO. Also including pics of the fugazy window frames.



     

 

How much of the door tops do you need? Post a pic. I may have some pieces

Nice work on the patch pieces!

 

I'd like to get from the body line up

 

Sorry, the pieces I have are not that big, just the tops of the window frames. I think.......I haven't found them yet!

 

Can I use the frames from a tudor as parts donor? It looks like the rear of the frame on my 5W doors are wider than the tudor ? am I wrong?

 

Tudor doors are longer....not sure if the window frame profile is different. 5w coupe, fordor and sedan delivery all use the same doors

 

A little late to the party... we made lower patches on my coupe because some of the lower sections were decent and didn't need replacing and replacement patch panels beads didn't match - so they would've been noticeable.

However, all the new patch panels' beads matched. If we had to do the whole way around the beads would be uniform.

I've spotted patched sections a time or two because the bead line didn't match... it's noticeable once your eye is trained.

 

Biggest issues I had doing rust repair with patch panels was fitment. The only patch panel I got that was a nice fit was a NOS EMS tail panel to go below my trunk opening on my '39 coupe. I bought it off Craigslist just because it saved me $150, but wish all my panels would have been NOS!
I had lower door inner and outer patch panels that were all 1/4" too long, and had to be sectioned and welded back together. Floor panels that were so bad I should have sent them back and formed my own from sheet metal. Just all irritatingly bad fitting. And caused me to take much longer doing repairs before I could use them to repair my body.

 

I am far from a body man but installed the cowls, floors, gas tank filler, and cab corners on my 50 chevy truck. The floor panels came off ebay and were only a remote copy of the originals. The cowls were very close, the others were
somewhere in the middle. I could possibly have made the floor panels as close as the ones I bought, but there is no way I could make the others with my skill level and tools. They panels may not be perfect but they let me get my truck road worthy and that is what it is all about. If they are close you can usually make them work, it just takes time and effort, and maybe some bondo.

 

For all those *****ing about the EMS panels, there are several YouTube videos from RAC, Iron Trap, and others, dealing with this subject. They have the tools and skills to make it happen.

I watched an interesting one last night, from the guy in Canada, maybe Saskatchewan, Kyle from Carter’s Customs, or something like that, where he was splicing running boards for his 48 GMC to repair a damaged and rusted one. The two boards he used were late and early production, and the contours of the ribs weren’t even close to matching. Same board, just wear over time in the stamping dies.

That video confirms to me that a patch panel doesn’t have a chance in hell of matching any particular car perfectly.

Can they be better… yes. If you aren’t happy though, maybe there’s a business opportunity for you.

 

I watch all the people you mentioned. Just to be clear, I wasn't *****ing about the panels. I just asked how to make them better when Mr. EMS jumped in making ridiculous claims and statements. As I stated I'm glad and grateful for the panels he makes but I sure as he'll don't need his ****py at***ude when all I asked is how to make them better. If you're offering as an excuse the panels lack the required details because the dies are worn I would submit that if he made as many 35 Ford patch panels as GM made running boards to wear out his dies he would have retired a wealthy man many years ago. The reality is the panels are close enough for the average guy to afford and use. That is what I'm grateful for. No one asked for perfect, just better. That's not unreasonable.

 

I'd bet you to be wrong.

 

I doubt if patch panels, or reproduction panels in general, are stamped using oem style steel dies. Most are probably temporary tooling, eg kirksite dies. Nobody could afford them if oem style dies we’re used.

 

Finished up the last pillar. Ended up being the worst of the four but it all worked out. Did a little thinking and used all of my patience and it worked out. I did cuss a bit when I made mistakes though . I'm happy. Gonna move up around the firewall and clean up those welds. I have to make a new roof structure above the doors but will wait till I get replacement door tops. I'm offered a pair of tudor door tops which I know are longer. The shape/profile looks pretty close. I'm hopeful.