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Front Fender and Header Panel Mock Up

Started by 70_440-6Cuda, August 29, 2023, 03:16:55 PM

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70_440-6Cuda

So I finally was able to pull the fiberglass front clip off my '70 Cuda and was happy not to find any surprises.  I bought new AMD front fenders and have to say they seem pretty light weight to me.  Seems like it does not take much pressure to put an indentation in the metal, although slight.  Anyone have any thoughts on the AMD sheet metal? 

My understanding is that is the best there is at the moment, but fitment and contours do not seem great and looks to me like there will be a lot of fit up happening over the coming weeks.  Plus one of the bolt holes for the header panel is covered over by the folded sheet metal, so I am hoping it is in the right spot and a little clearance of the sheet metal will solve that one.

On another note, The header panel was interesting to say the least.... previous owner cut the top portion off and mated it to the original lower section, why I have NO idea....does not seem like a worth while undertaking in any way.  I have 2 original header panels, plus the lower half of the one that was on the car.  Here is my dilemma - The lower half that came off the car is very straight, just missing the top metal section.  Think it is worth taking the top section off one I have that needs some work in the lower area below the grill and headlight buckets and welding it up to the good bottom half, or better just to straighten up the replacement?

You can't buy happiness, but you can buy horsepower and that's kind of the same thing.....

B5fourspeed

I bought AMD fenders,shaker hood,Header panel,Floor pans,4 speed hump,trunk floor,both full quarters,tail panel,deck lid,cross member.I was very impressed with all the metal.Some pieces needed some adjustments but overall I was very pleased.

torredcuda

I am currently trying to fit both AMD quarters on my road runner and they need more tweaking than I expected but it will just some time "adjusting" the metal until I am happy. As far as your header panel I would try to hammer and dolly the bent one first and see how close I could get it. Cutting and splicing the two is also an option I guess it depends on your skill - are you better at straightening or cutting and welding?
Jeff   `72 Barracuda 340/4spd
https://www.facebook.com/jeffrey.hunt.750

Northeast Mighty Mopar Club
https://www.facebook.com/groups/1486087201685038/


RacerX

I bought AMD fenders, header panel and shaker hood for my 71 cuda and have it mocked up on the car.

Overall, the concept of "at least we have *NEW* parts to complain about" applies here.

Driver side fender fits pretty well.    Passenger side is a mess.   The headlight bucket isn't even close and
will need to be removed and re-welded in the proper alignment.    On both fenders the holes for the hood
bumpers are done wrong and will need to be filled and re-drilled.    The captive nuts for the hood adjusters
are not set straight and the adjusters thread in crooked.   Bolt holes for the header panel were a mess on
both fenders and required a bit of work to even get the bolts in.    Both fenders follow the contour of the
hood pretty well, but are still a bit visibly off.   I think shims on the fenders may do it although some say
the hood can be tweaked to match the contour also.

Header panel seems to fit decently, seems to have the right "V" shape matching the grille and the front of the
hood.   

I always heard AMD was the "go to" for replacement Mopar sheet metal, but after my experience with their
e-body door hinge panels I am not so sure.   I had a set of those and they were terrible.   Like a drunk and
blind guy cut them out by hand with dull tin snips and then ran over them with a fork lift.   NONE of the contours
and edges were even close to correct.   No amount of massaging would have made them fit.   Gave up and
bought a set of Dynacorn panels at 1/3 the price and they are perfect.   Nice crisp, *STRAIGHT* edges and
nearly identical to the OEM pieces that were removed.    They also did an awesome job on that 6000WT
e-body rear frame/floor combo piece also.   Use one on this cuda and it is really a nice piece.   

I used to hear bad things about Dynacorn but based on that I would say maybe AMD is not the only game in
town anymore and Dynacorn is worth another look.



70_440-6Cuda

I was really hoping to avoid hunting down some original fenders as they are always a mess and super expensive.  I am not terribly disappointed, just wondering what everyone else was experiencing.  Like Mr Cuda said, doesn't really pass the thumb test.  But still better than the fiberglass that was there!

@torredcuda, I don't really have skill with either hammer and dolly or welder!  But I have a good friend that is helping me learn so we will see what he thinks.  Just curious what you all thought... hammer and dolly seems the better choice to me
You can't buy happiness, but you can buy horsepower and that's kind of the same thing.....

Mr Cuda

 Your remaining 70 only header panel lower section has value.
As a craft project,  it can be added to any 71 up header.  You could probably leave the later grill mounts as a structure support,  or grind the welds and remove.  I have a 70 header with the mangled lower portion removed.
I'd be curious what you paid for your  purple 70 header. California swap meets would be the place,  and that's where you're at.
I'm suprised you haven't found fenders down there.

70_440-6Cuda

Quote from: Mr Cuda on August 30, 2023, 08:36:56 AM
Your remaining 70 only header panel lower section has value.
As a craft project,  it can be added to any 71 up header.  You could probably leave the later grill mounts as a structure support,  or grind the welds and remove.  I have a 70 header with the mangled lower portion removed.
I'd be curious what you paid for your  purple 70 header. California swap meets would be the place,  and that's where you're at.
I'm suprised you haven't found fenders down there.

Honestly, I have not had much luck locally, but I am sure I am not looking in the right places.  Was at fall fling and the E body stuff was pretty slim....  I have come across a couple of fenders, but some of them are in the$2k range.  Typical rant about cost of parts these days and the fact that you have to jump on it or miss out.
You can't buy happiness, but you can buy horsepower and that's kind of the same thing.....


Mr Cuda

 No one is offering me that kind of money for a fender.  Knowing what I've heard on here, I might not sell one.

70_440-6Cuda

Quote from: Mr Cuda on August 30, 2023, 10:45:34 AM
No one is offering me that kind of money for a fender.  Knowing what I've heard on here, I might not sell one.

@mr cuda, if you have any you are willing to part with please let me know..... :takemymoney:
You can't buy happiness, but you can buy horsepower and that's kind of the same thing.....