Straightening aluminum

[robinlarry]

I am attempting to remove the aluminum body of a Bristol 409 from its steel chassis. Most of the body is riveted on to the steel. However the aluminum also is wrapped over the steel at the A pillar and B pillar and will need to be straightened to get the body off. The overlap is only about 3/8 inch. The first picture shows the B pillar. The second shows where the fender reaches the A pillar. I have tried using a small propane torch but it won't get the metal hot enough to bend. I'm considering trying Mag or Mag/Oxygen. Can anyone give me some advice here how to proceed?

 

[The Cobbler]

you don't want to heat the aluminum to bend it. it melts a a very low temp, and it doesn't change colour like steel does.recipe for disaster

 

[rlitman]

Well, aluminum does melt too easily, but cold bending it can lead to cracking.

If you know the alloy (and the safe temperature), you can mark on it with Tempil crayons, so you know how hot you've gotten it.

 

[gorilla]

Most British car bodies are made from 3003 aluminum. It's dead soft you don't need heat to unbend it.

 

[Bodj Built]

Get the material covered in soot from an oxy/ace torch, and then heat it up as usual. When the soot burns off you know it's hot enough. Sharpie works in lieu of soot as well.

 

[cvairwerks]

Probably need to spend some time watching Fay Wray or Kirkham(?) videos on coach building and body repair. Too much handling and overworking aluminum panels will lead to distortion and/or cracking. Then you have a bigger problem.

 

[rlitman]

Probably need to spend some time watching Fay Wray or Kirkham(?) videos on coach building and body repair. Too much handling and overworking aluminum panels will lead to distortion and/or cracking. Then you have a bigger problem.

Ah, that name brings memories:
http://www.kirkhammotorsports.com/book_aoe/

 

[HMCFab9]

I don't think i'd heat it.
Pry the edge up just enough to get the panel off, clean it up & if it cracks upon re-assembly you would need to TIG weld the edge.
We've done lots of alloy bodies, quite a few Ferrari's ,etc & never used heat for that.