Welding cab gas filler hole - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

**8man** · 09-30-2018, 02:46 PM

I'm planning on welding up the gas filler hole in the cab. I've been told you can't just cut a round patch and weld it in, that if you leave the "lip" on the inside it will eventually show through the paint.

Is this true or am I being punked?

mr48chev · 09-30-2018, 03:03 PM

Got me there and I need to do it on my cab. I know that you do need to put some shape in the filler panel before you weld it on. Classic Heartbeat used to offer the preshaped filler panel but I couldn't find it a minute ago. It shouldn't be that hard to shape though.

It wouldn't be that hard to trim around the hole and take that lip out so you can butt weld a patch in though. I wonder if a guy couldn't just tack a piece of metal across it with a hole drilled dead center and use a hole saw to cut that piece out and leave a nice round hole to work with.

_Ogre · 09-30-2018, 05:59 PM

you really need to put the year of your truck in the signature line, saves me guessing

this is what i did on my 58. cut the patch, lay it on the ground and beat the compound curve in with a ballpean hammer, welded said beat patch in with fluxcore welder. haven't seen any lines in 8 yrs / 36,000 miles

MiraclePieCo · 09-30-2018, 06:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 8man

I'm planning on welding up the gas filler hole in the cab. I've been told you can't just cut a round patch and weld it in, that if you leave the "lip" on the inside it will eventually show through the paint.

Is this true or am I being punked?

Yes, you're being punked. If anything, leave the lip intact; it will make the area stronger and less prone to welding warpage.

.

**8man** · 09-30-2018, 06:36 PM

Thanks guys.

I'll put the year in too.

mr48chev · 10-01-2018, 12:43 AM

I'd think your experts may have laid the patch over the hole where it lapped over the edges rather than fitting it to the hole as Ogre showed. On my old cab where we overlapped the piece we replaced the top (removed the sunroof) rather than but welding it it showed through the filler and primer after a while. That was because we were under a tight time line and didn't have time to cut and fit it as we went nor did we want to remove the seat and interior pieces at the time.

MARTINSR · 10-01-2018, 10:27 AM

Here are some photos of when I did mine. But welding it in.

Brian

MARTINSR · 10-01-2018, 10:30 AM

MARTINSR · 10-01-2018, 10:31 AM

This was the first thing I did on my cab when I got back to work on it, feels like a hundred years ago!

Brian

**8man** · 10-01-2018, 10:40 AM

Brian, thanks for the pictures.

It looks like you cut the lip out from the cab and then fit the patch panel into the hole.

If that is right, what did you use to cut the lip out? I can see what you used to do the patch.

Thanks.

MARTINSR · 10-01-2018, 11:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 8man

Brian, thanks for the pictures.

It looks like you cut the lip out from the cab and then fit the patch panel into the hole.

If that is right, what did you use to cut the lip out? I can see what you used to do the patch.

Thanks.

I used a die grinder with a thin cut off disc. Or I may have used an angle grinder with the cut off disc. It depends, sometimes on something like that it's easier to hold the angle grinder so you can put a finger on the panel to hold the disc better on the metal.

Brian

59Apache496 · 10-04-2018, 01:53 PM

Here is a patch panel I found online.

https://www.infantimachine.com/index...e-filler-panel

**8man** · 10-04-2018, 06:00 PM

Thank you.

DransportGarage · 10-04-2018, 09:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 59Apache496

Here is a patch panel I found online.

https://www.infantimachine.com/index...e-filler-panel

No offense, but if you can't make that patch panel with a hammer and a screwdriver you need to get into software development.

(Sorry.) Even a complete newbie should give it a try. If you have questions on how, fire away and we'll help.

Shinysideup · 10-04-2018, 10:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DransportGarage

No offense, but if you can't make that patch panel with a hammer and a screwdriver you need to get into software development.

(Sorry.) Even a complete newbie should give it a try. If you have questions on how, fire away and we'll help.

I was gonna say if you need to buy that panel you CANNOT weld it in etc

MARTINSR · 10-05-2018, 10:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DransportGarage

No offense, but if you can't make that patch panel with a hammer and a screwdriver you need to get into software development.

(Sorry.) Even a complete newbie should give it a try. If you have questions on how, fire away and we'll help.

Yep, that is a good start in doing this stuff, Can't get more basic than that! That hole is in a SUPER easy place, it's rounded so it won't warp much if any, it has FULL access, you don't even have to bend over to work it, the only hard part is if you are right handed holding the dolly with the right hand and hitting with hammer in the left hand. If you are left handed, this is the easiest patch in the history of man.

Brian

**8man** · 10-05-2018, 10:49 AM

Thanks guys.

Brian, I already have my patch cut oversized. Before I trimmed it down I wanted to know about the lip on the inside of the cab, should I leave it or remove it. In your patch you removed it, so I think I'll do the same. Although I was told that it doesn't matter, I think I'd like it better if it were smooth on the inside as on the out.

MARTINSR · 10-05-2018, 01:30 PM

On that particular place, leaving the lip and welding up to it, yeah, not the end of the world. It's not "Joe metal man" kinda work, but it would work and not be horrible or anything like that. But trimming the lip like I did IS the right way to do it. If you will notice it's finished off nice and I could literally finish it without any bondo, it's the RIGHT way to do it. Let me get this straight, I am not going to metal finish this truck, I am not Joe Metal Man, I am going to be covering the truck with bondo so no I am not metal finishing it. HOWEVER, doing it this way, I am a few steps away if I wanted to, so YES it's the right way to fill that hole.

The thing with removing the lip is it gives you a bunch of control. You plannish the welds, it gives you a LOT more control of the repair. If you are MIG welding it, you aren't going to plannish the welds as they are very hard, but you can grind them inside and out and end up with an awesome repair.

Like I said, this is as basic as it gets and a real good like Joe Metal Man Jr. kinda start into this stuff.

Brian

paintman · 10-06-2018, 03:13 PM

[QUOTE=DransportGarage;8357385]No offense, but if you can't make that patch panel with a hammer and a screwdriver you need to get into software development.

I am curious to know why you would need a screwdriver to weld in a patch panel???????????????????

DransportGarage · 10-06-2018, 04:16 PM

[quote=paintman;8358351]

Quote:

Originally Posted by DransportGarage

No offense, but if you can't make that patch panel with a hammer and a screwdriver you need to get into software development.

I am curious to know why you would need a screwdriver to weld in a patch panel???????????????????

I apologize (and I just knew I was going to get in trouble here). I was being too funny. If there were no other tools in the world, I could cut the panel out with a sharpened screwdriver and a hammer. Sorry.

paintman · 10-06-2018, 04:20 PM

[quote=DransportGarage;8358371]

Quote:

Originally Posted by paintman

I apologize (and I just knew I was going to get in trouble here). I was being too funny. If there were no other tools in the world, I could cut the panel out with a sharpened screwdriver and a hammer. Sorry.

Thank God you were joking! I was ready to strip my cab back down and re-do my patch panel the right way. With a screwdriver!

MARTINSR · 10-06-2018, 04:25 PM

I just figured he was talking about screwing the patch panel on instead of welding it.

Brian

**joedoh** · 10-06-2018, 04:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by paintman

Quote:

Originally Posted by DransportGarage

No offense, but if you can't make that patch panel with a hammer and a screwdriver you need to get into software development.

I am curious to know why you would need a screwdriver to weld in a patch panel???????????????????

to adjust the hammer!

DransportGarage · 10-06-2018, 04:35 PM

We're havin' fun now !!!

DransportGarage · 10-06-2018, 04:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MARTINSR

I just figured he was talking about screwing the patch panel on instead of welding it.

Brian

...then you use the hammer to drive the screw heads down below bondo level! It's been done.

09-30-2018, 02:46 PM	#1
8man Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2017 Location: Bryan, Texas Posts: 2,283	Welding cab gas filler hole I'm planning on welding up the gas filler hole in the cab. I've been told you can't just cut a round patch and weld it in, that if you leave the "lip" on the inside it will eventually show through the paint. Is this true or am I being punked?

09-30-2018, 03:03 PM	#2
mr48chev Registered User Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Toppenish, WA Posts: 15,306	Re: Welding cab gas filler hole Got me there and I need to do it on my cab. I know that you do need to put some shape in the filler panel before you weld it on. Classic Heartbeat used to offer the preshaped filler panel but I couldn't find it a minute ago. It shouldn't be that hard to shape though. It wouldn't be that hard to trim around the hole and take that lip out so you can butt weld a patch in though. I wonder if a guy couldn't just tack a piece of metal across it with a hole drilled dead center and use a hole saw to cut that piece out and leave a nice round hole to work with. __________________ Founding member of the too many projects, too little time and money club. My ongoing truck projects: 48 Chev 3100 that will run a 292 Six. 71 GMC 2500 that is getting a Cad 500 transplant. 77 C 30 dualie, 454, 4 speed with a 10 foot flatbed and hoist. It does the heavy work and hauls the projects around.

09-30-2018, 05:59 PM	#3
_Ogre Registered User Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Motown Posts: 7,675	Re: Welding cab gas filler hole you really need to put the year of your truck in the signature line, saves me guessing this is what i did on my 58. cut the patch, lay it on the ground and beat the compound curve in with a ballpean hammer, welded said beat patch in with fluxcore welder. haven't seen any lines in 8 yrs / 36,000 miles Attached Images __________________ cool, an ogre smiley Ogre's 58 Truk build how to put your truck year and build thread into your signature shop air compressor timer

09-30-2018, 06:36 PM	#5
8man Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2017 Location: Bryan, Texas Posts: 2,283	Re: Welding cab gas filler hole Thanks guys. I'll put the year in too.

10-01-2018, 12:43 AM	#6
mr48chev Registered User Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Toppenish, WA Posts: 15,306	Re: Welding cab gas filler hole I'd think your experts may have laid the patch over the hole where it lapped over the edges rather than fitting it to the hole as Ogre showed. On my old cab where we overlapped the piece we replaced the top (removed the sunroof) rather than but welding it it showed through the filler and primer after a while. That was because we were under a tight time line and didn't have time to cut and fit it as we went nor did we want to remove the seat and interior pieces at the time. __________________ Founding member of the too many projects, too little time and money club. My ongoing truck projects: 48 Chev 3100 that will run a 292 Six. 71 GMC 2500 that is getting a Cad 500 transplant. 77 C 30 dualie, 454, 4 speed with a 10 foot flatbed and hoist. It does the heavy work and hauls the projects around.

10-01-2018, 10:27 AM	#7
MARTINSR Registered User Join Date: Dec 2000 Location: Boise, Idaho Posts: 6,001	Re: Welding cab gas filler hole Here are some photos of when I did mine. But welding it in. Brian Attached Images __________________ 1948 Chevy pickup Chopped, Sectioned, 1953 Corvette 235 powered. Once was even 401 Buick mid engined with the carburetor right between the seats! Bought with paper route money in 1973 when I was 15. "Fan of most anything that moves human beings"

10-01-2018, 10:30 AM	#8
MARTINSR Registered User Join Date: Dec 2000 Location: Boise, Idaho Posts: 6,001	Re: Welding cab gas filler hole Attached Images __________________ 1948 Chevy pickup Chopped, Sectioned, 1953 Corvette 235 powered. Once was even 401 Buick mid engined with the carburetor right between the seats! Bought with paper route money in 1973 when I was 15. "Fan of most anything that moves human beings"

10-01-2018, 10:31 AM	#9
MARTINSR Registered User Join Date: Dec 2000 Location: Boise, Idaho Posts: 6,001	Re: Welding cab gas filler hole This was the first thing I did on my cab when I got back to work on it, feels like a hundred years ago! Brian Attached Images __________________ 1948 Chevy pickup Chopped, Sectioned, 1953 Corvette 235 powered. Once was even 401 Buick mid engined with the carburetor right between the seats! Bought with paper route money in 1973 when I was 15. "Fan of most anything that moves human beings"

10-01-2018, 10:40 AM	#10
8man Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2017 Location: Bryan, Texas Posts: 2,283	Re: Welding cab gas filler hole Brian, thanks for the pictures. It looks like you cut the lip out from the cab and then fit the patch panel into the hole. If that is right, what did you use to cut the lip out? I can see what you used to do the patch. Thanks. __________________ 8man-aka Robert 1948 on a S10 Frame, small block with a carb 1954 Cab, 53 Front and Bed, 50 Doors, S10 Frame, Power TBD Build thread: "]http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/showthread.php?t=746899&highlight=wife%27s+48[/URL] [/URL]http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/showthread.php?t=840204

10-04-2018, 01:53 PM	#12
59Apache496 Registered User Join Date: Oct 2018 Location: Boerne, Texas Posts: 2	Re: Welding cab gas filler hole Here is a patch panel I found online. https://www.infantimachine.com/index...e-filler-panel

10-04-2018, 06:00 PM	#13
8man Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2017 Location: Bryan, Texas Posts: 2,283	Re: Welding cab gas filler hole Thank you. __________________ 8man-aka Robert 1948 on a S10 Frame, small block with a carb 1954 Cab, 53 Front and Bed, 50 Doors, S10 Frame, Power TBD Build thread: "]http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/showthread.php?t=746899&highlight=wife%27s+48[/URL] [/URL]http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/showthread.php?t=840204

10-05-2018, 10:49 AM	#17
8man Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2017 Location: Bryan, Texas Posts: 2,283	Re: Welding cab gas filler hole Thanks guys. Brian, I already have my patch cut oversized. Before I trimmed it down I wanted to know about the lip on the inside of the cab, should I leave it or remove it. In your patch you removed it, so I think I'll do the same. Although I was told that it doesn't matter, I think I'd like it better if it were smooth on the inside as on the out. __________________ 8man-aka Robert 1948 on a S10 Frame, small block with a carb 1954 Cab, 53 Front and Bed, 50 Doors, S10 Frame, Power TBD Build thread: "]http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/showthread.php?t=746899&highlight=wife%27s+48[/URL] [/URL]http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/showthread.php?t=840204

10-05-2018, 01:30 PM	#18
MARTINSR Registered User Join Date: Dec 2000 Location: Boise, Idaho Posts: 6,001	Re: Welding cab gas filler hole On that particular place, leaving the lip and welding up to it, yeah, not the end of the world. It's not "Joe metal man" kinda work, but it would work and not be horrible or anything like that. But trimming the lip like I did IS the right way to do it. If you will notice it's finished off nice and I could literally finish it without any bondo, it's the RIGHT way to do it. Let me get this straight, I am not going to metal finish this truck, I am not Joe Metal Man, I am going to be covering the truck with bondo so no I am not metal finishing it. HOWEVER, doing it this way, I am a few steps away if I wanted to, so YES it's the right way to fill that hole. The thing with removing the lip is it gives you a bunch of control. You plannish the welds, it gives you a LOT more control of the repair. If you are MIG welding it, you aren't going to plannish the welds as they are very hard, but you can grind them inside and out and end up with an awesome repair. Like I said, this is as basic as it gets and a real good like Joe Metal Man Jr. kinda start into this stuff. Brian __________________ 1948 Chevy pickup Chopped, Sectioned, 1953 Corvette 235 powered. Once was even 401 Buick mid engined with the carburetor right between the seats! Bought with paper route money in 1973 when I was 15. "Fan of most anything that moves human beings"

10-06-2018, 03:13 PM	#19
paintman Registered User Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: washington NJ Posts: 766	Re: Welding cab gas filler hole [QUOTE=DransportGarage;8357385]No offense, but if you can't make that patch panel with a hammer and a screwdriver you need to get into software development. I am curious to know why you would need a screwdriver to weld in a patch panel???????????????????

10-06-2018, 04:25 PM	#22
MARTINSR Registered User Join Date: Dec 2000 Location: Boise, Idaho Posts: 6,001	Re: Welding cab gas filler hole I just figured he was talking about screwing the patch panel on instead of welding it. Brian __________________ 1948 Chevy pickup Chopped, Sectioned, 1953 Corvette 235 powered. Once was even 401 Buick mid engined with the carburetor right between the seats! Bought with paper route money in 1973 when I was 15. "Fan of most anything that moves human beings"



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10-06-2018, 04:35 PM	#24
DransportGarage Registered User Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Lebanon, Ohio Posts: 1,359	Re: Welding cab gas filler hole We're havin' fun now !!! __________________ Bob "It won't take long and it won't cost much." '55 3100 (383/700R4)--'55 Belair Sedan (350/4-speed)--'64 'Vette Conv. (327/4-speed)--'68 GTO Conv. (462/4-speed)--'69 Cutlass Conv. (350/TH350)--'06 'Vette Conv. (LS2/6-speed) Bob's Retirement Build - My 55 TF Bob's 700R4 Build (how-to)

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