E-Bodies.org Cuda Challenger Forum

Time to bite the bullet and start over again, not too many pictures and progress yet, so I should be able to move the thread here without too much effort. Apologize to anyone commenting on the old thread at cc.. Anyway, the first couple of posts will be a plain copy & paste...


Hello and welcome to my restoration thread!
This is the first post of many to come. I bought the car on eBay on the first of April (hmm, it really wasn't a joke).

In summary, this a real BS23 'Cuda with A/C, A22 rubber bumpers, A62 Rallye instrument cluster, 383 4-speed in my favorite color FE5. All the panels look like junk at first sight. Will be fun to see if there is anything salvageable.
Well I got it home (to Sweden) a week ago (in 2015) and have started to inspect the car.

2015
My goal this year is to take it apart as much as I can and get the front of the car stripped down and primed. I don't have a lot of time, money or knowledge of how to restore a car, so this will most likely take a long time to complete. I want to do this correctly. The front frame rails are solid but there is some damage on the passenger side. Will look into that later. Radiator support and cowl looks solid. All bolts, screws and attaching hardware is rusted but not to bad. I guess this is to be expected. What is the best way to restore the bolts, or should I just buy new bolts, screws etc?

Where is this project going?
I'm 99 % sure where I want to take this project (1 % uncertainty is if I find the matching numbers motor) and that is a Hemi clone. I have a 472 Hemi in parts and the engine build will be included here later. Transmission will be a Passon Performance 18-spline 4 speed overdrive and I plan on a B-body Dana for the rear. I also have a FAST XFI 2.0 with traction control to complete my build. I really hate carburetors..   :tired:

Will post some pictures when I decide where to store all restoration pictures.

So, it has taken me over a year to continue my restoration project. Better late than never right?

First a little recap. The following two pictures were taken by the seller.
(https://forum.e-bodies.org/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fdl.dropboxusercontent.com%2Fs%2Fr50dv5xk7x57phf%2F1_zpsnj4txspp.jpg&hash=59eedc2f9d6c1ae517d81a315863ef56500736ee)
(https://forum.e-bodies.org/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fdl.dropboxusercontent.com%2Fs%2F3cgqcu8pazaobh6%2F3_zpsfpmgku7u.jpg&hash=b37c4710227e5e82ee52cd95f3e51144f1d25349)

I don't have any pictures of it when it got home. I guess I was so pleased with finally having a 71 'Cuda that I forgot to snap some pictures of it. Anyway, it was missing some parts, no bumper brackets, emblems were "lost" going from the seller to me, etc.

So what has happened this past year? To me, a lot of things has happened that made this restoration process a little longer than it could have taken, but it could have taken considerably longer to get where I am now. At the time when I bought the car, I lived in an apartment and I had my 70 'Cuda 340 4-speed car at my friends place which is some 30 minutes drive away.

My friend was able to clear out some space for me (I'm very thankful for that Sven!) to store the 71 and I was able to work a little on it, but the drive and the fact that I couldn't do any metal working on the car there, meant that progress would be slow.

After the car got home last summer, I started to take it apart. I did know it was a restoration project, I just didn't know how bad or good it would be once I got it down to the bare unibody.

First thing, get the engine out.
(https://forum.e-bodies.org/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fdl.dropboxusercontent.com%2Fs%2Fazif6hed9p5vqxi%2F20150723_152022.jpg&hash=300ec3e35b01d1df5229cc83dfb1ad21edf2e3b7)

Engine is out, next step remove transmission, which is the matching 23-spline 4-speed, this will not be put back into the car.
(https://forum.e-bodies.org/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fdl.dropboxusercontent.com%2Fs%2F5kv7zscp8q1g6pc%2F20150723_174551.jpg&hash=e676f6f3f1706d07e348c05234961ded685f41ec)

Transmission getting removed.
(https://forum.e-bodies.org/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fdl.dropboxusercontent.com%2Fs%2F9hrp7gxymobrkzx%2F20150724_170739.jpg&hash=2c248006bbaf2350de293198e877613115f7d317)
(https://forum.e-bodies.org/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fdl.dropboxusercontent.com%2Fs%2Fejcgtfomdxgcma8%2F20150724_170749.jpg&hash=7078589739bfc89df1e761bc6db174dbdf59d434)

Removing head lamps, A/C condenser etc. In this picture the vast storage space (shed) is visible. Clearly not the best place to start grinding and welding...
(https://forum.e-bodies.org/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fdl.dropboxusercontent.com%2Fs%2Fncguce6vx36g1pk%2F20150727_163847.jpg%3Fdl%3D0&hash=ae27ef6d0dabec30af4a2532fbcc482e229f4ee2)

Removing the fenders revealed damage to the inner fenders on both sides. There is rust damage where the hood hinges are bolted and on the flares as is visible in this picture.
(https://forum.e-bodies.org/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fdl.dropboxusercontent.com%2Fs%2Fiu9zsmxxzi0ym0l%2F20150804_172621.jpg&hash=8c04738e0c7a4db3faa4294695f7b63597281fe5)

Passenger side is in much worse shape than the drivers side. The door post, cowl and rocker panels have damage, both rust and previous collision damage. A 90 deg bracket is welded in place to hold the passenger side fender. At this point it doesn't seam like an impossible fix...
(https://forum.e-bodies.org/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fdl.dropboxusercontent.com%2Fs%2F2lqpwkk0p0uiohc%2F20150804_172659.jpg&hash=673e4260c77a9cbf310c8b9ff8519b0160214ea6)

Just patch in a piece on the cowl and fix the door post and it should be good to go.
(https://forum.e-bodies.org/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fdl.dropboxusercontent.com%2Fs%2Fhw1d3zbqsax5if0%2F20150804_172709.jpg&hash=1585bab3c92175689d3e8c4a5f6fa99c19f20678)

Firewall has some areas where there is suspected rust damage
(https://forum.e-bodies.org/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fdl.dropboxusercontent.com%2Fs%2Fthge16b19buco3z%2F20150804_172850.jpg&hash=10d0dc23b2c3a1749feab1f593848f6b8a257a38)

Driver's side door post and cowl looks much better than the passenger side, but we will see...
(https://forum.e-bodies.org/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fdl.dropboxusercontent.com%2Fs%2Fja8niumcwro3jvg%2F20150804_202031.jpg&hash=edcaa8f4ff9ff8b6a86f2f1fecfc9d382308bc55)

On the plus side, the frame rails looks quite good on a first glance. Here is the passenger side.
(https://forum.e-bodies.org/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fdl.dropboxusercontent.com%2Fs%2Fsl96hkl9hqd4shd%2F20150804_202208.jpg&hash=17db495306a35564852b16d23cb7b236e0349e84)

Driver's side
(https://forum.e-bodies.org/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fdl.dropboxusercontent.com%2Fs%2F4lmao5nkk9rd4zm%2F20150804_202220.jpg&hash=dc162088ece439eb5d36e9e51097e62aeda84992)

Passenger side rocker to door post, some rust has gone through the rocker.
(https://forum.e-bodies.org/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fdl.dropboxusercontent.com%2Fs%2Fgnj8kd1lp336smi%2F20150805_152103.jpg&hash=3a78777acd2bfc9ee0536d0f1c1fc68836763bf4)

Passenger side floor. Poorly patched together.
(https://forum.e-bodies.org/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fdl.dropboxusercontent.com%2Fs%2F9vqxk7lcjo6x5fh%2F20150805_164737.jpg&hash=9643499d6b0808b1c82c3def9b1f41c783476775)

Driver's side
(https://forum.e-bodies.org/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fdl.dropboxusercontent.com%2Fs%2F3nsvgq8u1jx0msx%2F20150805_164745.jpg&hash=1f931b40d64a29c3c621889fe7a9ed5aff931914)

Removing the windshield, which was a pain in the a$$ due to some glue/silicon that was used to keep it in place revealed rust damage around the windshield under all glue/silicon. The dash is cracked, but that is likely to be expected..
(https://forum.e-bodies.org/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fdl.dropboxusercontent.com%2Fs%2F6zhbab1c08k179q%2F20150805_184533.jpg&hash=aa5528d1f0fad7b218df29757e32a953e4d8f8cf)

Removed the dash.
(https://forum.e-bodies.org/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fdl.dropboxusercontent.com%2Fs%2Frz73n3cek7jkvx2%2F20150808_143744.jpg&hash=6ac1e7f4636b43fbca99397f15fc4038602db6b7)
(https://forum.e-bodies.org/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fdl.dropboxusercontent.com%2Fs%2Fzgi0elksliwsx4s%2F20150808_143806.jpg&hash=b478ee2e739c6cad20f5f824bb2e3471b99333c5)

Removing the heater.
(https://forum.e-bodies.org/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fdl.dropboxusercontent.com%2Fs%2Forp8qdx10gasp8w%2F20150808_150602.jpg&hash=2afb7e5b32b47dddfac5c1a8e9317d83390d83a3)

Firewall doesn't look to bad at this point, some damage where the drain on the cowl is.
(https://forum.e-bodies.org/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fdl.dropboxusercontent.com%2Fs%2Fky022ce1nnnqkhl%2F20150809_134559.jpg&hash=4ab4dc3315be2e2c84b5166e2e46bccbfa425179)

Continued with the roof to remove the vinyl and see how the roof has survived the past 45 years. Found one hole.
(https://forum.e-bodies.org/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fdl.dropboxusercontent.com%2Fs%2Fqhz11alactja8pt%2F20150809_134703.jpg&hash=26d70deeb4fd5fec5b6dbbd3f468d8d09106ff2f)

And some damage where the quarter meets the window (don't know the name of this)
(https://forum.e-bodies.org/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fdl.dropboxusercontent.com%2Fs%2F0pp7xjdyo9eo3tf%2F20150809_134714.jpg&hash=99dded979cb3c90d16fb27821c857a388895804b)

Is this factory markings on the roof to know where to place the vinyl?
(https://forum.e-bodies.org/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fdl.dropboxusercontent.com%2Fs%2Fwwyn5dlwatmbbdd%2F20150809_160751.jpg&hash=1db9e246387a3ef37b9ac8faf0e477341902450e)

Doors look good, that's at least something :)
(https://forum.e-bodies.org/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fdl.dropboxusercontent.com%2Fs%2F1i225got2l0crtj%2F20150809_173711.jpg&hash=bfbb6c4f3dc69723bf9a92347eadd4e0491ea853)
(https://forum.e-bodies.org/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fdl.dropboxusercontent.com%2Fs%2Fjcuwhsci5q8ca4l%2F20150809_173721.jpg&hash=07366f0d5a6bb55b813f192b534820f4ff65faae)

A couple of shots on the inside.
(https://forum.e-bodies.org/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fdl.dropboxusercontent.com%2Fs%2Fc9yvnslie6r3kpe%2F20150809_185109.jpg&hash=fffe88a3a15979bc225d8fcb17b634fe033378f7)
(https://forum.e-bodies.org/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fdl.dropboxusercontent.com%2Fs%2Fjt4z28c8jj5v852%2F20150809_185119.jpg&hash=39545bb5ed681bc62295d555a40c9e20c75833ca)
(https://forum.e-bodies.org/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fdl.dropboxusercontent.com%2Fs%2F3kjfwvknbt6ptnj%2F20150809_193956.jpg&hash=018a3a07d8ced8a871a465e472202882d1a04960)
(https://forum.e-bodies.org/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fdl.dropboxusercontent.com%2Fs%2Fsr4ao0y9nqv9czl%2F20150809_194001.jpg&hash=a815e7dd1bcb9729e9e4a770dda70e2f6a212342)
(https://forum.e-bodies.org/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fdl.dropboxusercontent.com%2Fs%2F74dymc9t6tfu1r7%2F20150809_194009.jpg&hash=89647a08d8476045da6ade89d53c49bd3388b9f7)
(https://forum.e-bodies.org/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fdl.dropboxusercontent.com%2Fs%2Fpreamzfi4qfgrqq%2F20150809_194023.jpg&hash=4dccf7aeea91213ab6302647e7e2cff8fa81753b)

Found some plastic filler, almost a centimeter thick  >:(
(https://forum.e-bodies.org/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fdl.dropboxusercontent.com%2Fs%2F3989krwm20x8f5i%2F20150814_145316.jpg&hash=0414f725a49131dee15e95cbe5a324003ce5abd7)
(https://forum.e-bodies.org/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fdl.dropboxusercontent.com%2Fs%2Ff98roo4idzcy1xp%2F20150814_145344.jpg&hash=b1e19ea44914b4d46407ae0252a032c72256187a)
(https://forum.e-bodies.org/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fdl.dropboxusercontent.com%2Fs%2F5vxwebwhd9ss8d4%2F20150814_155144.jpg&hash=d3017f9f6129ffb06cf88e7f1c1f88a1f333d98e)

Rear window has damage all around. :(
(https://forum.e-bodies.org/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fdl.dropboxusercontent.com%2Fs%2Fkj372rh4ltpc5hr%2F20150814_183939.jpg&hash=d2fbb37b79d1366d15ce8c964dd4e0604cfcfe91)

Original? gas tank removed, almost zero damage to it.
(https://forum.e-bodies.org/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fdl.dropboxusercontent.com%2Fs%2Fm1jabwx0sdgwl3j%2F20150822_134149.jpg&hash=d5fd80a7de048b2b3d84191750dfddc4ee758a28)

Started to work on the driver's side quarter panel. Almost wish I didn't..
(https://forum.e-bodies.org/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fdl.dropboxusercontent.com%2Fs%2F2g2cysj369zjcst%2F20150822_175152.jpg&hash=a57b462a9277612f9e80d896ec7a15eec7381738)
(https://forum.e-bodies.org/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fdl.dropboxusercontent.com%2Fs%2Fzbqza1k92o1pjdr%2F20150822_175158.jpg&hash=d67999a2e5026e779675199802fb2aeae8b2e410)
(https://forum.e-bodies.org/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fdl.dropboxusercontent.com%2Fs%2Fphvtos1a7kdqr75%2F20150822_175226.jpg&hash=e65d1bd21d764c779988f1c22955ae5a22491594)

Passenger side is worse...
(https://forum.e-bodies.org/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fdl.dropboxusercontent.com%2Fs%2F2yypmhn1pm6kavq%2F20150823_121948.jpg&hash=2d31db7c8cc3f9ea11f52b4155d109398b960797)
(https://forum.e-bodies.org/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fdl.dropboxusercontent.com%2Fs%2Fqeocliuffl24ah4%2F20150823_121958.jpg&hash=37675d40f40a2da25caf5dbffff19b61bf1583f2)

Here is a neat tip for yah! How to fix a quarter panel with nothing but plastic filler, primer and paint.

1. Put paint the paint gun.
2. Use the empty paint can to make a structure onto which you can apply the filler. Attach the can to the car using wood screws or staples, in fact use anything you have available that isn't proper sheet metal.
3. Apply filler.
4. Paint the thing.

And here is the result. Good job right?

(https://forum.e-bodies.org/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fdl.dropboxusercontent.com%2Fs%2F0231p74vufz7j64%2F20150823_123721.jpg%3F&hash=02a49e2656c0deda1716bc7e3f44e7a9ede37560)
(https://forum.e-bodies.org/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fdl.dropboxusercontent.com%2Fs%2Fqlzaco9zi0s40wc%2F20150823_124830.jpg&hash=3f32303b7f93b6d9f4b2a8e5a39feda70b2cd1a7)
(https://forum.e-bodies.org/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fdl.dropboxusercontent.com%2Fs%2F21h2nxgk2dh6ai3%2F20150823_135855.jpg&hash=3d9054d3ba151d95e05f639362daca41fe7c0318)

Use as much filler as you need.
(https://forum.e-bodies.org/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fdl.dropboxusercontent.com%2Fs%2Fz5lzffyz4r4m9tn%2F20150823_132144.jpg&hash=e39d4a0843dd2d008ea68e0479ec0d8af458a580)

Is this a stock bracket hanging down on the passenger side?
(https://forum.e-bodies.org/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fdl.dropboxusercontent.com%2Fs%2Fk75at7bkopc3dq9%2F20150823_155647.jpg&hash=3cb0e367f8e0fd71402f7f38abee8eba16526a8a)

The car then sat like this until June of this year.
(https://forum.e-bodies.org/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fdl.dropboxusercontent.com%2Fs%2F9y1qi6kxadd808m%2F20150814_171455.jpg&hash=2cc690850c9c608cfaa8e1b578798820668203af)
(https://forum.e-bodies.org/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fdl.dropboxusercontent.com%2Fs%2F1h1e3nonw63qd21%2F20150814_171535.jpg&hash=98cf4e74166b3103313750190855288e6f57dfa8)

So this year me and the wife bought a house, finally. We moved in January. There was a garage (45 sq meters or 480 sq ft for you Americans), but it wasn't finished which became the first task. I had to do pretty much everything to get it to were I needed it, walls, floor, electric etc. But after long hours working on it, it was finally done.

The first thing I did was to bring the car home, with a little help from another friend (pictured)   :ohyeah:

(https://forum.e-bodies.org/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fdl.dropboxusercontent.com%2Fs%2Fjaitfghr4vo2qzw%2F20160626_153308.jpg&hash=2eb5032bfbd14fcc47538bc43d67fa6ced198e13)

(https://forum.e-bodies.org/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fdl.dropboxusercontent.com%2Fs%2Fysdmsxxgtbqu9lx%2F20160626_153318.jpg&hash=a21915ff5f6cf2f27dee7bdd49ac7bf20494e96e)

At this point I knew that I would need to bring the car in and out of the garage to do heavy work on it such as blasting it down. I also wanted to be able to move it around in the garage, while being fixed as I needed to remove body panels. So I built a jig for it.
(https://forum.e-bodies.org/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fdl.dropboxusercontent.com%2Fs%2F2c1rnrgbjja9ct2%2F20160802_192119.jpg&hash=87f20d05746812f294fdcb0281cd2ce71f458d13)

Placing the car on the jig was a challenge. Should probably invest in a lift at some point if I'm gonna restore another car...
(https://forum.e-bodies.org/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fdl.dropboxusercontent.com%2Fs%2F109r7bo9ua3auth%2F20160816_154540.jpg&hash=deec36cb1afb6e431af739f9018d473db8ff9be6)

(https://forum.e-bodies.org/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fdl.dropboxusercontent.com%2Fs%2F2bx3te5frv97y85%2F20160816_154550.jpg&hash=a4613f9c5a80be3641654b2db7d2683e2cbb2b7b)

But it turned out great I think.
(https://forum.e-bodies.org/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fdl.dropboxusercontent.com%2Fs%2Fwsix7sucm8fe5wc%2F20160817_143821.jpg&hash=f299a6c0f60330ba92058e9cfd89a214e22ba9b8)

(https://forum.e-bodies.org/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fdl.dropboxusercontent.com%2Fs%2Ffeb9uh8ya7lamgs%2F20160817_143840.jpg&hash=ca1d9e2b30ea76a01d7bfc3e546e615d3eec8a0d)

I started to sand blast it.
(https://forum.e-bodies.org/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fdl.dropboxusercontent.com%2Fs%2F86fzw7fw5s7kc5v%2F20160818_111651.jpg&hash=be8fcb1702fdecd0584d5c4b8c93dd2579f4a039)

(https://forum.e-bodies.org/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fdl.dropboxusercontent.com%2Fs%2F5ubix7iqewp9nwo%2F20160818_111721.jpg&hash=af00f0ae2f282ba17f407eb7cc5b28aa645e58ee)

Only to discover that the firewall was in much worse shape than I had thought.
(https://forum.e-bodies.org/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fdl.dropboxusercontent.com%2Fs%2F12yt6mvkk3g8sc1%2F20160818_215909.jpg&hash=43464a1d469d52836df318c35d0c35ca423b9eea)

(https://forum.e-bodies.org/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fdl.dropboxusercontent.com%2Fs%2Fueem6f4c3hr1vt8%2F20160818_215920.jpg&hash=588b5a9c3d34eb3f12e2e0dc884c913f4b428ad1)

(https://forum.e-bodies.org/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fdl.dropboxusercontent.com%2Fs%2Fm4jpqkek000fp58%2F20160818_215931.jpg&hash=8dc98f14f35783c5c804737c4c64ceefb5769f0f)

(https://forum.e-bodies.org/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fdl.dropboxusercontent.com%2Fs%2F2t3magtcfrba5hz%2F20160818_215949.jpg&hash=7e6a094f0ff4fa6658eb3304fe8d68ec074a29b3)

(https://forum.e-bodies.org/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fdl.dropboxusercontent.com%2Fs%2Fha2oalcsooohe8c%2F20160818_220044.jpg&hash=93b01f7e30f9185d101b97ac92a4e3dff3a753b1)

A-pillar corner to cowl is also bad on both sides, no surprises here...
(https://forum.e-bodies.org/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fdl.dropboxusercontent.com%2Fs%2Fd1s5bchlkm7lis8%2F20160819_103144.jpg&hash=ef5de0651778c3b145b1e6cae71b168d7ec77c3a)

(https://forum.e-bodies.org/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fdl.dropboxusercontent.com%2Fs%2Fnb3wzzdkr9z0yju%2F20160819_103200.jpg&hash=0852b0b271817a6cf11de79a835d50d4574b9e13)

At this point I was advised (by a third friend who has actually restored a car before) not to try to fix the firewall, but replace it. So that is what I will do.

No more firewall... :(
(https://forum.e-bodies.org/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fdl.dropboxusercontent.com%2Fs%2Fsg504bjit2vg9qr%2F20160906_220119.jpg&hash=db390f2f4f736828be3386511a0dadd847181c0b)

A-pillar corner is gone.
(https://forum.e-bodies.org/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fdl.dropboxusercontent.com%2Fs%2F7lbkguyxbhbixro%2F20160906_220142.jpg&hash=b0b27d80c2c5d95197b090612e02849b7f003e08)

(https://forum.e-bodies.org/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fdl.dropboxusercontent.com%2Fs%2F4sbwkxw6tsm1p1m%2F20160910_115200.jpg&hash=0b5edb53456c345f15ae89cb1d3245605b34d98a)

At this point I know this car rather well and it is really poorly put together from the factory. The gaps and alignment in the panels are appalling. Just look at this rather simple piece.
(https://forum.e-bodies.org/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fdl.dropboxusercontent.com%2Fs%2Fimwhq8jyhuqot2x%2F20160910_115304.jpg&hash=53b2be99d54945d3c98f8c56149246887c347813)

(https://forum.e-bodies.org/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fdl.dropboxusercontent.com%2Fs%2Fl86lrnpznmc5iv0%2F20160910_115402.jpg&hash=3e701c0c344c30ad5ac183c1c39aa43efd291103)

Removed the right door post to fix damage in the right rocker panel.
(https://forum.e-bodies.org/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fdl.dropboxusercontent.com%2Fs%2Fpowypre7iwvk5yu%2F20160910_165800.jpg&hash=2bf93e4507377c77cccec7648906207c9388f07c)

Here is the damage to the rocker panel, both rust and collision damage at some point.
(https://forum.e-bodies.org/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fdl.dropboxusercontent.com%2Fs%2Fj1ejfa5t528wztb%2F20160910_165808.jpg&hash=3c94a82b921eb05096dc775b2e49a931aac40dce)
(https://forum.e-bodies.org/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fdl.dropboxusercontent.com%2Fs%2Fpb2xyvllhm6zcgj%2F20160910_170025.jpg&hash=0223fd16d2e721c018a39b361e78780519d16696)

And this is a shot from last night after an entire day of sand blasting the remaining pieces of this poor Cuda.
(https://forum.e-bodies.org/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fdl.dropboxusercontent.com%2Fs%2F0hkr7r8536n17j6%2F20160912_082439.jpg&hash=8c1718cc5e770e1f64ce0eea74ea467aee32e0fe)

I will try to update this thread more often now when I finally have both time and a place to work on the car. I will bring it back and beyond its former glory.

Per

So, I did not keep this thread up to date.. Been working a lot on the Cuda and my day job and have not really had the time to update this thread. Then all the pictures I had at photobucket disappeared  :stomp:

Moved my pictures to another location and will now continue with the story. This is all before Christmas.

Cut out the sides of the quarters to be able to media blast the wheel wells and remaining structure which will not be replaced.
(https://forum.e-bodies.org/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fdl.dropboxusercontent.com%2Fs%2Fhyi1xu8zvxtmdx3%2F20160913_182835.jpg&hash=214a380a7f39f8a53fb5c6391d532a37325824ea)

(https://forum.e-bodies.org/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fdl.dropboxusercontent.com%2Fs%2F1pgm690ir3tcn0c%2F20160913_182846.jpg&hash=b74b104955e24bc8a296f3b886d416c926f5ab24)

Then media blasted everything above the rocker panels and top of roof.
(https://forum.e-bodies.org/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fdl.dropboxusercontent.com%2Fs%2Fzmyvu32ub8k6phh%2F20160918_180626.jpg&hash=44454d4db1b502a53757f911a7039c372bacc755)

(https://forum.e-bodies.org/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fdl.dropboxusercontent.com%2Fs%2F6xfr7oqoaa99wte%2F20160918_180631.jpg&hash=02af91ccc827e81b1d192c574c48fcf630dd6576)

(https://forum.e-bodies.org/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fdl.dropboxusercontent.com%2Fs%2Fuczndvw9o28z18w%2F20160918_180643.jpg&hash=ef526cc60d0fbf721c105e61cc157c09668603ae)

(https://forum.e-bodies.org/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fdl.dropboxusercontent.com%2Fs%2F6zamrbjnxi51xnm%2F20160918_180656.jpg&hash=37d476faef7a9a3cf4658adb1d4ba0ac05320a38)

(https://forum.e-bodies.org/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fdl.dropboxusercontent.com%2Fs%2Fnm8nqqk8szi5g4n%2F20160918_180714.jpg&hash=184e3bd0e58ea2fbbfa0336cccebec921f2a2c60)

(https://forum.e-bodies.org/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fdl.dropboxusercontent.com%2Fs%2Fwtxlvtl0ajj3spu%2F20160918_180732.jpg&hash=1e5d66abfd293e54c57df646ce6b87373a1f1035)

(https://forum.e-bodies.org/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fdl.dropboxusercontent.com%2Fs%2F99v51zidln8cj0b%2F20160918_180740.jpg&hash=a51ef25237dc3601c1d0836193c761a775a04758)

After all the media blasting I fixed the panel under the firewall on the drivers side, don't know what this is called and I don't remember what was attached to this hole? :clueless:
(https://forum.e-bodies.org/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fdl.dropboxusercontent.com%2Fs%2F0gi54814k26hr3a%2F20160920_214842.jpg&hash=ac45fbd2a1ebd58a7b24578548493cbb3ed60a75)

Start working on the damaged rocker panel, fabricating a new corner by comparing to the drivers side.
(https://forum.e-bodies.org/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fdl.dropboxusercontent.com%2Fs%2Fu0wl8feq6kc0rtd%2F20160923_211011.jpg&hash=10b7511cba6a87413cbc23c6990c8a832db6eee7)

(https://forum.e-bodies.org/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fdl.dropboxusercontent.com%2Fs%2Fd0ccxebbrc0o9kv%2F20160924_171129.jpg&hash=485f9296b3ca21c48c3f9f012d6f8b4934e8065f)

More to come...

Still before Christmas and the cold and damp weather of south Swedish winter I continued to work towards a goal of having the body in primer before Christmas and by body I mean the sheet metal that will not be replaced.

Repaired the front frame rails on the passenger side. Before:
(https://forum.e-bodies.org/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fdl.dropboxusercontent.com%2Fs%2Ffrrpgu4yjcg3327%2F20160925_123232.jpg&hash=844c85b606cecb89dcd6e06ca3040be7354dd314)

After:
(https://forum.e-bodies.org/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fdl.dropboxusercontent.com%2Fs%2Fih6sj2q6fah29xw%2F20160925_191009.jpg&hash=dca1ccf7def8a812646710d29273dc51f3fed2c0)

And then a minor repair on the drivers side. Before:
(https://forum.e-bodies.org/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fdl.dropboxusercontent.com%2Fs%2Fd96sl0lsi516dog%2F20160925_123248.jpg&hash=99e25105da8eca2ba631a90f5f3856bb1c028bdb)

After:
(https://forum.e-bodies.org/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fdl.dropboxusercontent.com%2Fs%2Fyjh563ms2rx3al0%2F20160925_190955.jpg&hash=0b5a8a9f48b59cd46040fdf184afffa898e004b7)

Then a coat of epoxi primer  :bigsmile:

(https://forum.e-bodies.org/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fdl.dropboxusercontent.com%2Fs%2Fevlj2nb7hog5x8t%2F20161001_103941.jpg&hash=8e61d32a938e164a74dacd00c09f7f62d154468b)

(https://forum.e-bodies.org/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fdl.dropboxusercontent.com%2Fs%2Fiea8k6xhcvm9oy1%2F20161001_103946.jpg&hash=69f260e33563230d44fda63af7d316341dbb3bb7)

(https://forum.e-bodies.org/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fdl.dropboxusercontent.com%2Fs%2Fayk7b21hgyoeyuv%2F20161001_103952.jpg&hash=79ca9e7aa5cb5d6632badfdddb1b960764f2bd5c)

(https://forum.e-bodies.org/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fdl.dropboxusercontent.com%2Fs%2Fwy0k134q900sfv6%2F20161001_104005.jpg&hash=59820f3558579f8d16e684f25ff3c85c27215fb6)

(https://forum.e-bodies.org/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fdl.dropboxusercontent.com%2Fs%2F9gv8le98ebkzxw9%2F20161001_104011.jpg&hash=56a7f6ae20885eef9bc298893bdc959d7f52c466)

(https://forum.e-bodies.org/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fdl.dropboxusercontent.com%2Fs%2F2o9ub536f5dzkcf%2F20161001_104021.jpg&hash=2547927f24fa404b40c241d3a47cb9a5f3cc3433)

More updates to follow shortly. This was still before Christmas and I have done a little more since then which is yet to be revealed.

I disassembled the dash and had the dash pad sent for restoration as I continued to work on the body.
(https://forum.e-bodies.org/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fdl.dropboxusercontent.com%2Fs%2Faslpezro7kvgyzw%2F20161002_220734.jpg&hash=770314ef9b2cc6938e3d2bcbd38aef87e534bc69)

(https://forum.e-bodies.org/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fdl.dropboxusercontent.com%2Fs%2F1w2org9g6bteosv%2F20161011_183345.jpg&hash=4c90e0df0c6f445a65a582c647a242e974ad6708)

Test fitted the lower cowl/door hinge panels on the passenger side
(https://forum.e-bodies.org/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fdl.dropboxusercontent.com%2Fs%2Fwelfb2hqalgksx5%2F20161004_200514.jpg&hash=0c6f083a15ec05e0bea15373e90f1b128a70b882)

And replacement firewall piece
(https://forum.e-bodies.org/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fdl.dropboxusercontent.com%2Fs%2F6wdkd8618uu6vw1%2F20161004_213456.jpg&hash=c3ef437b38ec9688c03be580b2d1cc98b0a21d17)
(https://forum.e-bodies.org/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fdl.dropboxusercontent.com%2Fs%2Fudpkmwnb9aiqoj5%2F20161004_213443.jpg&hash=7c95127e01a97e16ec9f84c7e219c79d8b1e220b)

The lower cowl pieces from AMD do not really line up as good as they should and had to be modified some, that is something that I keep encountering as I go along :(

(https://forum.e-bodies.org/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fdl.dropboxusercontent.com%2Fs%2Ft50p8cy87mpsqtv%2F20161015_143749.jpg&hash=aefcea3305ab29068470164ca06749b66176aba8)

(https://forum.e-bodies.org/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fdl.dropboxusercontent.com%2Fs%2F25skxflqz7stasn%2F20161015_174305.jpg&hash=8769097adca9e810a3857865298f1fbd976c63e3)

The time had come to spray some paint on some parts. First up were the inside of the cowl and firewall area.

(https://forum.e-bodies.org/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fdl.dropboxusercontent.com%2Fs%2Fv0n1ycpm6i1z40a%2F20161119_144838.jpg&hash=a31d5d82e469c99f5ecbcb2dae048378c500ebce)

Time to test fit the cowl.

(https://forum.e-bodies.org/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fdl.dropboxusercontent.com%2Fs%2Ffaytpth5t5l5w2h%2F20161124_191655.jpg&hash=4b64a72dcc63ad914c1d09357026f56e064e91e5)

(https://forum.e-bodies.org/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fdl.dropboxusercontent.com%2Fs%2Ftk0vvqvieaaa7au%2F20161124_191728.jpg&hash=87fccc38fe01f71b8caeffcc97ba0d46363e419c)

(https://forum.e-bodies.org/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fdl.dropboxusercontent.com%2Fs%2Fp1vka8t28y6f3fk%2F20161124_191756.jpg&hash=c3f551b810af7b4ea29da365370a7127e884c000)

When everything was looking good, I welded the firewall in place.

(https://forum.e-bodies.org/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fdl.dropboxusercontent.com%2Fs%2Fisa7kyx4nyifqem%2F20161127_184729.jpg&hash=93e308097f767d41851e5ce7c3a846c2880972b2)

(https://forum.e-bodies.org/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fdl.dropboxusercontent.com%2Fs%2Fu5u6fib7f5r2w2e%2F20161127_184738.jpg&hash=cf712025361b5db88db72b7818528735c9f401b1)

And finally the cowl was welded in place. It is starting to look like a car again  :jumping: :jumping:

(https://forum.e-bodies.org/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fdl.dropboxusercontent.com%2Fs%2Fdc1c80z9mmsjl6b%2F20161204_175143.jpg&hash=f2cf7a8f247069943882959d6cb792a23597825c)

(https://forum.e-bodies.org/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fdl.dropboxusercontent.com%2Fs%2Flg0fhbssesi319p%2F20161204_175153.jpg&hash=0f96b8fb31c87bf7b79333ebd96bb2c5abafdc80)

(https://forum.e-bodies.org/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fdl.dropboxusercontent.com%2Fs%2Flkcpf926g142hay%2F20161204_175206.jpg&hash=076c57834da7b42f2e06980218688249e764003d)

Took the time to media blast the dash frame before sending the dash pad to restoration. Added a couple of coats of primer to it then some black paint. Couldn't help it but I test fitted the dash frame in the car just to see some progress...

(https://forum.e-bodies.org/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fdl.dropboxusercontent.com%2Fs%2Fna73vuu4hi42htf%2F20161207_212548.jpg&hash=53984c2306f35cbc945afc83970c3b460a33ec13)

(https://forum.e-bodies.org/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fdl.dropboxusercontent.com%2Fs%2Fat10yktgn5jylfo%2F20161207_212602.jpg&hash=0f37cc39c8c826985802c0e5d507049d85a85ff4)

(https://forum.e-bodies.org/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fdl.dropboxusercontent.com%2Fs%2F0uoirtj13rt2dry%2F20161207_212614.jpg&hash=e206cb43c80d7dad0e2c55971d72233963bd2ba6)

Time to do some minor rust repair on the car. Starting with the wind shield area.
(https://forum.e-bodies.org/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fdl.dropboxusercontent.com%2Fs%2F60gnc6e5uejl77w%2F20161209_174457.jpg&hash=9c84872faf26b985ef6df2c859b0a50858a5a602)

(https://forum.e-bodies.org/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fdl.dropboxusercontent.com%2Fs%2F6yjq11cqjm79tvy%2F20161211_180147.jpg&hash=b23a2e700919b275c1a14e6f1e70fba54f52b04a)

(https://forum.e-bodies.org/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fdl.dropboxusercontent.com%2Fs%2Fu5urdgtqsnv60xj%2F20161212_200234.jpg&hash=85c23fa4501b4142072355654a02a3e92aa07804)

Onward to the left wheel wells. Here I had to cut up the rocker panel to access the little remnants of metal left so I could recreate it.
This wasn't the easiest part to repair so far and it took several days to get it just right.

(https://forum.e-bodies.org/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fdl.dropboxusercontent.com%2Fs%2F2z8f24ls1ptt0sx%2F20170114_174730.jpg&hash=2b16a762439f17f936260976cded13426d627654)

(https://forum.e-bodies.org/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fdl.dropboxusercontent.com%2Fs%2Fwg8e1rbh6okapd4%2F20170114_174750.jpg&hash=0a595ead0e3e0b138bc5e44c156f117493b7b8d4)

(https://forum.e-bodies.org/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fdl.dropboxusercontent.com%2Fs%2Fj3mambi1st0stge%2F20170126_200109.jpg&hash=4dbe6deb89a9d5a7f692b484b3c41ab02d5192b6)

(https://forum.e-bodies.org/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fdl.dropboxusercontent.com%2Fs%2Fon647oluk0684g8%2F20170126_200117.jpg&hash=0b63411ce5c51fc72cc44bee352fe23bcb1b53b5)

(https://forum.e-bodies.org/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fdl.dropboxusercontent.com%2Fs%2Fh4q27ig68ewigqr%2F20170128_141153.jpg&hash=ab999b7002bff281f26a9e4aba6b2b053631d5c1)

(https://forum.e-bodies.org/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fdl.dropboxusercontent.com%2Fs%2F12gw3etms5ceslz%2F20170128_141210.jpg&hash=0748ff6933c4b96d2838e4fa0202aa25d1d0185b)

(https://forum.e-bodies.org/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fdl.dropboxusercontent.com%2Fs%2Fe18cxz383um2tg1%2F20170128_191750.jpg&hash=09c77dcb30d98010c201867ea2229c0e01d023b4)

(https://forum.e-bodies.org/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fdl.dropboxusercontent.com%2Fs%2F2wiocz2jsdyxqvu%2F20170128_191832.jpg&hash=8dc4657834091e84dc7d5fef16ada06db0764fcb)

(https://forum.e-bodies.org/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fdl.dropboxusercontent.com%2Fs%2Fu1fo21dkgfvrmpa%2F20170128_191852.jpg&hash=fa02482c3798d8f7d3a7256e79ddfa4f392bd326)

Time to start working on the doors. I removed a couple of pounds of filler from both doors and found them full of holes, some drilled and some caused by rust. I don't have a picture of the doors at this point, but they will need new skins which I have ordered.

I also bought some new hinges from AMD, both upper and lower. The lower worked perfectly with super tight movement, the upper were a different story. Look at the following pictures, how could AMD get this measurement so far off?   :pullinghair:

(https://forum.e-bodies.org/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fdl.dropboxusercontent.com%2Fs%2F80kndtl67k5d1dk%2F20170118_201718.jpg&hash=9e89cead19185156fff840eff2b9e82b6938ea67)

(https://forum.e-bodies.org/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fdl.dropboxusercontent.com%2Fs%2Fyq6qlr9fggx8ocl%2F20170118_201751.jpg&hash=dfdeb678c41d1fea87cfd01786a428cf7e2e1879)

(https://forum.e-bodies.org/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fdl.dropboxusercontent.com%2Fs%2Fc2p3m036ffuidgp%2F20170118_201805.jpg&hash=3eb10189c9bc3e5d1b7c5483abb466a40fc9f35b)

But that was the least of my problems as I could grind the holes a little bit larger, but still annoying.

The bigger problem was with the door pushed on the hinges fully towards the body, there was still a gap of almost 1/2" to the rocker panel. And that was outwards from the body, not down to the border of the rocker.

(https://forum.e-bodies.org/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fdl.dropboxusercontent.com%2Fs%2Fzprlaykd5jviltr%2F20170119_193225.jpg&hash=9304315af17391bf8d901036a0be6fc7290c325d)

(https://forum.e-bodies.org/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fdl.dropboxusercontent.com%2Fs%2Fqgyixlq46sdynsa%2F20170119_193240.jpg&hash=f5a3baefe820e53619f3a18b2819666d51acf794)

This had me puzzled for a couple of weeks as the door lined up perfectly against the quarter panel. I have figured it out now and a little massaging of the hinge area of the body helped get the hinge further in and the lines are almost perfect!  :bigsmile:

(https://forum.e-bodies.org/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fdl.dropboxusercontent.com%2Fs%2Fb1cbrs2wj5uegdv%2F20170201_190650.jpg&hash=18c8e8e54e3c7fb519ba84a98de68918369b0c37)

I started working on my front fenders and removed about the same amount of filler from them as were on the doors and quarters. A lot of drilled holes in the fenders, but not much rust if any. I will try to save them as I can't afford to buy new ones and want to see if it is possible (for me)...

(https://forum.e-bodies.org/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fdl.dropboxusercontent.com%2Fs%2Fkebiwx38wnlngwr%2F20170204_183738.jpg&hash=49ee49f2238798d780357f1590ad530d891ed683)

(https://forum.e-bodies.org/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fdl.dropboxusercontent.com%2Fs%2Ff0hpq5rdt9644st%2F20170205_160001.jpg&hash=fce55f01c6cb95e16a302dd7433670c867469ebd)

(https://forum.e-bodies.org/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fdl.dropboxusercontent.com%2Fs%2Fe0kz52uvgeb15be%2F20170205_160036.jpg&hash=6a87a36081dbe5275d47a5471659ee40265f8903)

(https://forum.e-bodies.org/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fdl.dropboxusercontent.com%2Fs%2F5e4e0ejgdgv8cby%2F20170205_160122.jpg&hash=523e75229a8138759d45048b90ec2b93beb11c60)

(https://forum.e-bodies.org/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fdl.dropboxusercontent.com%2Fs%2F4gb5uavf0o33lvc%2F20170205_160136.jpg&hash=c73eb0f15aaef566695006ed2c6037868bbfcda7)

(https://forum.e-bodies.org/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fdl.dropboxusercontent.com%2Fs%2Fzxapvpla08ubf3n%2F20170205_174205.jpg&hash=855a629bc96742283fbb89365b81cb8eba09ab2c)

(https://forum.e-bodies.org/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fdl.dropboxusercontent.com%2Fs%2F51xgmn6qze2t6ry%2F20170205_174217.jpg&hash=2246ec47e34d0a744bf55774d61e7e01c52c297a)

(https://forum.e-bodies.org/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fdl.dropboxusercontent.com%2Fs%2F0wi9vvr8ksc6ypa%2F20170205_174228.jpg&hash=26d4576c8e554eb3f7229e2557040f00b392848f)

And finally the header panel was cleared of filler. Will work on that when the fenders are good to go. A couple of holes and dents, should be fixable if the fenders can be fixed.  :)

(https://forum.e-bodies.org/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fdl.dropboxusercontent.com%2Fs%2Fcq3uve3r9cejlg1%2F20170205_160146.jpg&hash=2c079d60b0f218324c772f4c4411b4b6bc317c61)

This is what I have been doing this week. Now the temperature has dropped down to below freezing and my air compressor is struggling. So I will wait out the cold indoors. Will start work on the fenders as soon as I have some compressed air to work with so I can start welding up the fenders.

I don't update this thread as much as I would like to. Anyway, time for another round of pictures and continuation of the story.

After media blasting, I found some more holes and welded up a couple of holes.

(https://forum.e-bodies.org/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fdl.dropboxusercontent.com%2Fs%2Fgyckqdj97eujf89%2F20170219_112633.jpg&hash=f6172866bbfe8cd43627cef06049b0a74c67e769)

(https://forum.e-bodies.org/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fdl.dropboxusercontent.com%2Fs%2F6co2vn4o4b6pt7g%2F20170219_133752.jpg&hash=0ce62da59cf0fff6f5ae7925f6cfbfa085c9804e)

(https://forum.e-bodies.org/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fdl.dropboxusercontent.com%2Fs%2F0ekmao9zhkkka5l%2F20170219_133741.jpg&hash=ea2ca43e83cff693ac0b4f9bff4ac29e924fc4bd)

(https://forum.e-bodies.org/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fdl.dropboxusercontent.com%2Fs%2Fhh25td3h52p2grh%2F20170219_141834.jpg&hash=eac1749fc447aef2a24dff094e4309a33bba6e14)

Eventually I spent too much time on the fenders without being sure I could rescue them. I guess in the end it is up to the guy doing the paint to determine if they are good enough to save. All I will do is fix the rust, holes and try to get them as straight as possible.

One of the things I wasted my time on was this part (the one on the right) of the fender were the factory didn't line up the two pieces of sheet metal before welding them together.

(https://forum.e-bodies.org/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fdl.dropboxusercontent.com%2Fs%2Fpq2rbgkx6jal60l%2F20170219_174540.jpg&hash=f32271716dc1ecd092cc02acf1c9df777953231a)

A closer look, where it's clear that a piece had to be bent to access the threads under it.

(https://forum.e-bodies.org/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fdl.dropboxusercontent.com%2Fs%2Fkffzuppj75temzy%2F20170219_174551.jpg&hash=da1172bfb0e3fda44e1f4abc517d676fcc09da23)

The bottom doesn't look to be out of place as much as the top.

(https://forum.e-bodies.org/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fdl.dropboxusercontent.com%2Fs%2Fklep0jg30e021r4%2F20170219_174556.jpg&hash=cee7df0dbf695e806773dbab39be02136654402d)

I sure didn't want this, so I spent a few hours fixing it. First separating the parts.

(https://forum.e-bodies.org/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fdl.dropboxusercontent.com%2Fs%2F1zc5y8904k5ymxr%2F20170219_181311.jpg&hash=04add7265c0d4c0bac2d53a9eba21af86ff64a83)

Then sand blasting the rusted areas.

(https://forum.e-bodies.org/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fdl.dropboxusercontent.com%2Fs%2Fpcvduxlorbk3hxf%2F20170219_182505.jpg&hash=7f35bd5a7d58e3aa1ef269cd973b21c268b0f2c8)

Applying some weld-through primer to both parts.

(https://forum.e-bodies.org/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fdl.dropboxusercontent.com%2Fs%2Fg2kdi80qnceargg%2F20170219_185211.jpg&hash=6cba5d75758235a2b54f9347839f7c241a479108)

Then welded it back on.

(https://forum.e-bodies.org/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fdl.dropboxusercontent.com%2Fs%2Fiweotmw8wkgv6ol%2F20170220_175757.jpg&hash=de3d9e9250de49b55146a383e2e789d10e1a6b3d)

I have a lot more pictures of the fenders, but I'm sure they get quite boring after a while. After working with the fenders for a couple of weeks, I really wanted to start with the body again. The next part was going to be the right quarter panel, which was going to be a simple replace operation... Yeah right...

(https://forum.e-bodies.org/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fdl.dropboxusercontent.com%2Fs%2Fy0i2ekrkvp2hlfs%2F20170304_101802.jpg&hash=e72687fb764e1574a095dbbea28fa49f221767f6)

So the roof needs a little patch where the roof meets the QP.

Cutting away the remaining pieces of the quarter panel.

(https://forum.e-bodies.org/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fdl.dropboxusercontent.com%2Fs%2Ftxyqeqs8z4sx0ik%2F20170304_142051.jpg&hash=c233d871151ee28189d8a0c9f8f83aaa58caaf9b)

Had to test fit the new QP  :ylsuper:

(https://forum.e-bodies.org/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fdl.dropboxusercontent.com%2Fs%2Fiqmx6cw4120me3n%2F20170304_132738.jpg&hash=ba14a083030b31702688553a8bc7d1925aa4c106)

Before quarter panel could be installed permanently, the inner structure had to be repaired.

(https://forum.e-bodies.org/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fdl.dropboxusercontent.com%2Fs%2Fjl2zr5mlrogz338%2F20170304_155452.jpg&hash=3f420d1826f3abd0dd059e6bee8a0714129da8f5)

It has rusted away quite a bit and a new piece had to be fabricated.

(https://forum.e-bodies.org/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fdl.dropboxusercontent.com%2Fs%2Fei9nt2uit2t2j4y%2F20170304_161502.jpg&hash=6d4e0103cd60c8750ecfeb1f3a47d8600e9ee3f5)

And finally welded into place

(https://forum.e-bodies.org/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fdl.dropboxusercontent.com%2Fs%2Fnhrkpnpv8xvg6um%2F20170304_170549.jpg&hash=63ea4df58fc646959fc7bedf440a662107c62652)

Next up was this part over the quarter glass.

(https://forum.e-bodies.org/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fdl.dropboxusercontent.com%2Fs%2Flwfwy01jgf30nhn%2F20170304_172639.jpg&hash=9e7e7ec8c5d5e12589c29c9deafcf4b8681d6410)

So two options to access this area to repair the rust, cut out a piece of the roof or the inner structure. I didn't really want to do either as butt welding a big piece of the roof back would require some skills. On the other hand I didn't really think I could access the damage by going from the inside out. So the roof had to go.

Cutting on the line...

(https://forum.e-bodies.org/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fdl.dropboxusercontent.com%2Fs%2F2o17vld08u4sis8%2F20170305_101046.jpg&hash=06d816ce2d6905398025772303ee014b6189bf6c)

And off it goes. The damage is clearly accessible now. Looks like the drip rail is pretty much rusted away.

(https://forum.e-bodies.org/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fdl.dropboxusercontent.com%2Fs%2F3tmjmwz5hjt8bfx%2F20170305_104056.jpg&hash=17b9f2ca210fe3b83ac036bf4633ec867b79365b)

First fixing the damaged inner structure. Cutting away the rusted out areas.

(https://forum.e-bodies.org/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fdl.dropboxusercontent.com%2Fs%2F9w5vv9rkjntlili%2F20170305_115930.jpg&hash=1ee85210c9a0caffcead619dfee09ef750a9d360)

Welding some new metal into place.

(https://forum.e-bodies.org/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fdl.dropboxusercontent.com%2Fs%2Fsc36fo9xwzkclaa%2F20170305_162156.jpg&hash=df31ef36b85b627e3c5f08d8efcc38d9e8601111)

Finished!

(https://forum.e-bodies.org/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fdl.dropboxusercontent.com%2Fs%2Fmgxw23q43w7avpq%2F20170305_185159.jpg&hash=45173d229e181e3d4760b4b58d051003f69afbf1)

A coat of rust protecting primer.

(https://forum.e-bodies.org/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fdl.dropboxusercontent.com%2Fs%2F9acxja17pqwwq1f%2F20170305_185751.jpg&hash=4a1549a8d82f689e0cdb264e6f73863b2aa47a41)

(https://forum.e-bodies.org/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fdl.dropboxusercontent.com%2Fs%2Fbwjs7pysd2i9dej%2F20170305_185759.jpg&hash=2fb051d985ffbdc2b547397cdf9d3737ecb700a0)

Onto the drip rail. It is pretty much gone and a new piece is in the making.

(https://forum.e-bodies.org/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fdl.dropboxusercontent.com%2Fs%2Fls8z8p9eo390bvu%2F20170307_214346.jpg&hash=eebe85a922765cf87ff10299da5fcac2e93863b0)

(https://forum.e-bodies.org/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fdl.dropboxusercontent.com%2Fs%2Fuypebtezj08p82r%2F20170308_180343.jpg&hash=b11dbdc827ca668576298b5dbe88396235146396)

(https://forum.e-bodies.org/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fdl.dropboxusercontent.com%2Fs%2Frk9za1rbnjfsq9i%2F20170309_182308.jpg&hash=c26a40a8fd083be7726b902e8363512b66707f94)

I had a bunch more pictures of this on my phone, but they were deleted by mistake. Finally the roof is welded back into place with a perfect fit to the drip rail. I'm really surprised at what I could do  :)

(https://forum.e-bodies.org/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fdl.dropboxusercontent.com%2Fs%2F9dlg8nw0d2xur9d%2FIMG-20170312-WA0002.jpg&hash=ab23b8ee92f75c52cf00bc344c6a9b02343b8e6c)

Here are a few fresh pictures of the roof and drip rail after some grinding.

(https://forum.e-bodies.org/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fdl.dropboxusercontent.com%2Fs%2Fnoqsz2w8eo1mekp%2F20170325_110129.jpg&hash=659e2478704b4b192718d9b06a78bf8f88cd9d46)

(https://forum.e-bodies.org/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fdl.dropboxusercontent.com%2Fs%2Fdelegc2eikh42ey%2F20170325_110140.jpg&hash=8b74818e63050875095533f560e09c8dd6524f31)

Now I found myself once again with two options; replace the quarter panel first so everything is lined up when the rest of the panels are replaced, replace the trunk pan and extensions first then the fenders and tail light panel. I'm sure there are many reasons to go one way or the other. I wanted to go with the first option, but later decided to do the latter  :clueless: don't know why I switched after a while, but I did..

I cut out the trunk pan to get access to the rails, I wanted them blasted and primed before putting the new trunk pan in. Blasting the rails was done a few weeks ago at the same time as I blasted the inside of the fenders. I then applied a coat of epoxy primer to the rails, fenders and some other parts I had prepared.

(https://forum.e-bodies.org/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fdl.dropboxusercontent.com%2Fs%2Ff7c91tukr8vmaul%2F20170318_130138.jpg&hash=056144fc93f2e7baa167f7f43de63e6952194589)

After that I blasted the support rails for the trunk pan and welded them to the underside of the pan. Also drilled a million holes in the trunk pan. It's a lot of hard work doing a restoration..

(https://forum.e-bodies.org/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fdl.dropboxusercontent.com%2Fs%2F0ek534ljq6dj7t2%2F20170320_182044.jpg&hash=90da5a8563601377721da03fff19eea77663f3e3)

Applied some weld through primer on the rails where I was going to be welding.

(https://forum.e-bodies.org/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fdl.dropboxusercontent.com%2Fs%2F3514ztgywiristo%2F20170320_182058.jpg&hash=79821dd0be689b50b90c14bf4e785bc6b0ba1103)

(https://forum.e-bodies.org/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fdl.dropboxusercontent.com%2Fs%2Fehof042siq23kns%2F20170320_182106.jpg&hash=c79c89179d063df79e72cd937b35f496ac07fa97)

This weekend I started to install the trunk pan with extensions.

(https://forum.e-bodies.org/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fdl.dropboxusercontent.com%2Fs%2Fsqgduq5dyo4sgko%2F20170326_194934.jpg&hash=cd44c057d281c6fbddf80ec8ee6249ef1ea18374)

(https://forum.e-bodies.org/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fdl.dropboxusercontent.com%2Fs%2F1g2ejm834na7unh%2F20170326_194952.jpg&hash=be72ebd10c1159cf734a29bdf244bfb529e02d99)

And now I'm once again up to date with pictures and progress.  :jumping:

Now all the restoration thread is here. Again, sorry for all the comments that didn't make the transfer.

Per

nice progress, at least on this forum I can see the pictures. haven't been able to on the other one.

Cool, this thread isn't so much without the pictures as I don't really put that many words into what I do. :)
Anyway, thanks for the comments turbostang7!

Excellent work Per, I'm glad to see this car is being restored  :worship:

I have a slight connection to this car and always hoped I'd be the one restoring it. The gentleman you bought it from out of New York contacted me back around 2005 to restore this car and/or the 70 Cuda convertible that he owns...
We even talked about trade deals where I would restore the convertible and end up owning this 71, that never happened...
Fast forward to 2017....The Convertible is on it's way here and should arrive next month.

Again....great to see this 71 getting done ?  :bradsthumb:

I see you moved all the posts from cc, nice, lotsa work though. Following!  :popcorn:

Quote from: soundcontrol on March 28, 2017, 06:45:29 AM
I see you moved all the posts from cc, nice, lotsa work though. Following!  :popcorn:

There's no need for CC.com anymore :alan2cents:

@Tunis (https://forum.e-bodies.org/mlist/tunis_311)  This is super impressive!   :clapping:  Not sure what you do for work, but you are very impressive around metal.   :worship:  Not very many people could do what you are doing and I'm super happy to see that Cuda getting saved (and saved correctly).  Thank you for taking the time to share with us.   :banana:  Can't wait to see more photos as you progress through the restoration.  I have no doubt that you will finish the car and it will be outstanding when done.   :1place:

Quote from: Tunis on May 26, 2017, 10:40:17 AM
soundcontrol Thanks! Where do I buy that?

The guy I talked to ordered it from Germany, this store:
https://www.autoteilemann.de/search/?q=teroson+9200&qc=&ms=true

Nice work, I can watch metal work all day long!

Thank you guys!
@anlauto (https://forum.e-bodies.org/mlist/anlauto_19) cool! It looks like it needs a lot of work..
@soundcontrol (https://forum.e-bodies.org/mlist/soundcontrol_67) Thanks! I will look at that when the time comes.

Yesterday didn't happen in terms of updates, but I have some time now to continue with the photo session.

Wasn't happy with the way the quarter lined up with the deck filler, so I cut and extended the quarter a little.

(https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/s/j2gzpu2xln2zmyx/20170429_125633.jpg)

And then welded it and ground down the welds.

(https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/s/u4wwip7zdcb3vzz/20170429_172953.jpg)

Then the other side. Same procedure.

(https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/s/ks4fnc5amoaud8t/20170429_184758.jpg)

(https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/s/j1mu3wfgpq94n0p/20170501_114906.jpg)

Test fit the trim to the deck filler. This was a mistake, I should have waited with this, but at this time I was so focused on getting the trim to fit all the way around. I keep making mistakes, and they consume an awful lot of time, but I guess that is part of the learning process.

(https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/s/mhdb30xdqdhypk7/20170501_132811.jpg)

(https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/s/fii5sutfn5vqu72/20170501_132819.jpg)

Cut up the deck filler to align with the trim, this was the mistake, I should have waited until later with this as you will see.

(https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/s/mi82w1deob4iggt/20170501_151505.jpg)

(https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/s/35z0wihm1y0ujtu/20170501_151513.jpg)

After cutting up the deck filler I wanted to something happening on the car, it just didn't feel like any progress for the past week. So I started to repair the rust damage in the rear window channel on the roof. Cut away the old and rusted out metal and primed it with some weld-through primer.

(https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/s/xjcd75tq596jws1/20170504_181613.jpg)

Then welded and ground the welds flat.

(https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/s/bqy7dlvt53xjuno/20170506_191547.jpg)

Spurred on by the resounding success on the roof I jumped back to the deck filler. Tacked it together where I thought it fit the trim good enough.

(https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/s/ucq015ryx8f91ph/20170509_172055.jpg)

I didn't take any photos of the welding of the deck filler. But I did take some of process of trying to gap the deck filler to the deck lid.

(https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/s/jz7uj40go726n84/20170522_185727.jpg)

(https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/s/33n7ubouvcz5xl2/20170523_182926.jpg)

(https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/s/nmrkvefgchyqmb7/20170523_191113.jpg)

(https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/s/irq4xygdxbvo7ec/20170522_185813.jpg)

(https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/s/4y3etfk9belvsg7/20170524_181009.jpg)

The deck filler didn't match the curve of the deck lid, maybe not visible in this photo, but here it is anyway

(https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/s/bfg8nynm37pw9wp/20170524_183007.jpg)

I tried to make a template to follow, but end up not using it.

(https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/s/roulzbdn7n0b2r2/20170525_135326.jpg)

After making some cuts in the middle of the deck filler and making the curve more pronounced, I tacked it into place.

(https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/s/6jyhc6jucuu8f1d/20170525_162732.jpg)

Welded up the corner where the deck lid meets the quarter panel.

(https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/s/quonxmuystasklv/20170528_154255.jpg)

And finally cut out the same corner on the right quarter panel and adjusted it to follow the curvature of the deck lid.

(https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/s/ap1brgjrt7v0dtz/20170528_170950.jpg)

Lots of work remains, but it is starting to shape up I think. Now I'm again up to date with the progress. Todo for tomorrow is to cut (Again! :pullinghair: :pullinghair: :pullinghair:) and weld the deck filler to align with the rear window trim as that was upset when I aligned the deck filler to the deck lid.

Quote from: Cuda Cody on May 28, 2017, 12:20:08 PM
Your attention to details will pay off big time when it's all painted.  It's going to have wonderful gaps and look amazing.  The work you do now is what makes people WOW, that's a great paint job.   :yes:

Which is what kills me, the body man spends hours (more like days) getting things just right, the painter walks in & sprays the car in 4-5 hours & everyone raves about the painter....  In my eyes the bogyman deserves 90+% of the credit....

Yes: Nice work.

Excellent picture history of all the bodywork.

Very nice! Your'e building a Mopar with Mercedes specs!   :D

Excellent work!  Quite disheartening the amount of tweaking needed on the replacement panels.

That's what I was thinking, But I've never seen my metal guy, Keith Sim, have to do that much extra work.  :huh:

Makes me wonder if this Cuda isn't square or it's been tweaked ?

Thanks guys! As far as I can tell, the Cuda is square. The replacement panels have been off spec compared to the panels that were on the car. But this isn't my area off expertise, so what do I know..  :dunno:

If it usually takes less work than this, I will be done by now when I build another car  :clapping:

Finally time for another update. I don't have a lot of photos this time, but here you go.

Test fitted rear panel and rear valance.

(https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/s/c3932lc4gy8esoj/20170606_164733.jpg)

The quarters didn't really line up well with the deck lid, so I had to cut and weld some more...

(https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/s/x04y2f4kqe5gaxk/20170611_161232.jpg)

(https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/s/1fswb3itltni0wc/20170613_185255.jpg)

Very time consuming welds..

(https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/s/4g1xsjsf25apq0v/20170613_205630.jpg)

Finally done.
(https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/s/60ercemt2z22i1z/20170613_214026.jpg)

Time to grind

(https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/s/aye63qqxdbnloos/20170615_083131.jpg)

I know, the deck lid need to come over a little to the right. Final mounting of the rear panel before welding to see if everything fits including the rear bumper.

(https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/s/acqethtvd2aethh/20170618_171111.jpg)

(https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/s/jguwlg6tg6m26vh/20170618_171118.jpg)

I then modified some more before welding in the rear panel and finish welded the quarters to the trunk extensions and wheel housing on both sides.

Photos from today when I test mounted lights in the rear, license plate and side markers. Also drilled the holes for the rear trim. That's it for now. Starting to be finished in the rear so I can move over to the floor pan repairs.

(https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/s/2yfu38bd3rm97ed/20170702_183319.jpg)

(https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/s/m311w7slar5pkmt/20170702_183328.jpg)

(https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/s/bs0fut5quu9850t/20170702_183408.jpg)

(https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/s/10yycr3o9komzq2/20170702_183416.jpg)

Per

Looks really good.  Nice welds.   :twothumbsup:

When you test fit the deck lid make sure to have your hinge springs on and open and close it several times.  The springs can change where it wants to sit and how the edges line up.

Thanks Cody!  :)

I actually had the spring in it every time I put the deck lid on. I thought it was easier to handle then and I noticed that the spring wants to push the lid towards the left.

Per

When you do the final prep for paint you'll also want the trunk seal in place.  You'll find the seal will raise the lid up a lot.  I find is best to use some double sided tape and put it in during all the metal and body work.   :alan2cents:

Rubber seals for the doors should be in place too.  That includes the little pieces at the end too.

Thanks buddy!  :bradsthumb: I will do what you say before hitting it with primer. Now I just need to find the seals... Where did I put them.. :thinking: I planned to organize everything when the car was being painted.

So when the seals go in, the deck lid sits a little higher, correct? Should I fix that by lowering the metal where the seal attaches?

Thanks!

It's looking. your gaps and fitment looks good in the photos.

Put the trunk seal in and see where everything sits.  You might be able to adjust everything with the latch and get it to fit good.  But don't want until it's painted to find out if it's going to work.   :alan2cents:  You are doing everything right so no reasons not to make it perfect.   :bigthumb:

Quote from: Tunis on July 02, 2017, 11:21:09 PM

So when the seals go in, the deck lid sits a little higher, correct? Should I fix that by lowering the metal where the seal attaches?

Thanks!

Been a while since I checked on your progress.  All I've got to say is you've got some mad fabrication skills! :bravo: :worship:  You attention to detail is outstanding!   :twothumbsup:

 :bradsthumb:   Great work

Thanks guys! Really appreciate the high praise I get! :) I have slowed down a bit now. Got to fix a previous crash that has pushed the torsion bar cross member back about 3/8". So now I have to drill out the welds and push it forwards. Wish I had fixed this before I started putting panels back onto the car, but hey live and learn.. The good news is that it is straight in the rear. But this set back took most of my go-juice and the last days of the vacation is approaching fast. Will update as soon as I have more interesting info.

Per

I'm currently fabricating my subframe connectors and have arrived in the process were I installed the e-brake cables. Are the cables supposed to rub against the rear foot wells?

Yes, from where the cable leaves the front frame rail to when it goes in the curved bracket there is a small section of the lowest point in the floor board that can rub or touch slightly.

Quote from: Tunis on August 25, 2017, 09:55:15 AM
I'm currently fabricating my subframe connectors and have arrived in the process were I installed the e-brake cables. Are the cables supposed to rub against the rear foot wells?

Excellent, thanks Cody! :bradsthumb: That is exactly where it is touching slightly, at the lowest spot in the rear foot wells.

Update time! I haven't been sitting idle, although I lost most of my steam when I realized I wouldn't have the car ready for paint this summer. Anyway, let's continue with the restoration of this awesome automobile!

I decided to replace the rear foot wells at the same time as I replaced the front floor as the metal was really thin and fatigued in several places.

Blurry photo, but it was the only one I had.

(https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/s/vcz9p5icdd8viii/20170703_193259.jpg)

I carefully measured where the console brackets and the four speed hump was located relative to the firewall, the sides and the rear. Then carefully removed the four speed hump.
(https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/s/3msne7yx29smea4/20170706_172051.jpg)

Someone had covered the holes in the floor which can be seen in the photo above.

Removed the floor pan and the seat track brackets (are they called that?)

(https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/s/7cm33r13vxllald/20170710_152705.jpg)

Anyway, once the floor was removed, I blasted the inside of the frame and coated it with rust protective primer.

(https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/s/ss5bsyicvuhha6t/20170709_130531.jpg)

(https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/s/k5ah71jbpj869gj/20170709_130543.jpg)

(https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/s/xjuqpgiijrjuooi/20170709_130558.jpg)

(https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/s/6ss6shorh6dou4e/20170709_130605.jpg)

Time to tackle the new floor pan. Nothing to it, transfer the "seat track brackets" (which were blasted and primed) and then drill a million holes and apply weld primer  :)

(https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/s/tqc2ne3kfbdyt8m/20170711_160528.jpg)

Then prepare the frame that was previously coated with primer. Grind of the primer where the welds go and then add weld primer instead.

(https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/s/b4eigweruja7emc/20170711_160514.jpg)

(https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/s/6gkqwbycpjim8wl/20170711_160520.jpg)

Next up was the four speed hump. It is OK except for a spot where it was rotted through.

(https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/s/7gqoqxs2jlpk7oy/20170709_160340.jpg)

(https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/s/3qh2gh5arxru722/20170709_160415.jpg)

 :bravo:   :tool:

Skipped a bit ahead with the hump..

I first welded the floor pan in place. Used some wood to be able to clamp it down thoroughly in some places. Smells better with burned wood than weld fumes :)

(https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/s/fiuiexdd556i0tt/20170712_172709.jpg)

Patched the four speed hump then primed it, don't have and photos of that though. When the floor pan was welded in place, the four speed hump was welded down.

(https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/s/qo1pb4iazhrpupd/20170716_182503.jpg)

(https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/s/nlgwtdi6rfbqskx/20170716_182616.jpg)

After that I welded the cable cover back.

(https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/s/iblujrakf19p8pa/20170718_151516.jpg)

Next moving under the car.

The rear shock mounting bar (what's this called?) had some damage.

(https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/s/tf3wgddwq8boa2y/20170718_162454.jpg)

Patched and welded in place :)

(https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/s/jog223te1zlo5o7/20170718_170146.jpg)

Time to tackle the front of the car!

I wanted to save both inner fenders although they both had a lot of rot located around the shock tower, hinge location and the flange where the fenders bolt.

(https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/s/1pf5zcqbo4s3uv7/20170723_110054.jpg)

Hinge mounting bracket

(https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/s/5umg80xuixodwef/20170723_110757.jpg)

Blasted, patched and fixed.

(https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/s/j5p8i5ckg9dnkxh/20170723_115708.jpg)

Cut out the damaged area in the fender.

(https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/s/hjfgbey2ebagck2/20170723_121746.jpg)

Patched the inner fender and primed all parts.

(https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/s/nzozqf3ul295ej9/20170723_152225.jpg)

Same with the other inner fender.

(https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/s/q525wy9hs63pb8g/20170723_152248.jpg)

(https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/s/c9dcbne8sc7fg9p/20170723_152259.jpg)

Then patched the inner fender.

(https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/s/2oss79dq0eqbcb9/20170725_122829.jpg)

Both fenders blasted and primed and weld primed, ready to be installed again. Regret removing them, but I didn't know better back then.

(https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/s/w63hxzrnb7xap1v/20170728_115042.jpg)

Prepped the front end and radiator support.

(https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/s/2il4mkeost8d901/20170728_161554.jpg)

In the end I didn't like all the pitting around and under the battery tray on the left inner fender, so I used the repro inner fender.

 :rebelflag"   Awesome work.   :perfect10:

Time to get the car onto the rotisserie  :)

(https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/s/lf4dtf1h3mj5p9n/20170805_141733.jpg)

(https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/s/jdsf97no2f0j1mz/20170805_141749.jpg)

Up in the air.

(https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/s/pt60tamz2e1bt5m/20170805_141819.jpg)

The garage is just big enough to house the rotisserie..

(https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/s/8evpx7q8pbyru9y/20170807_170250.jpg)

Underside of the car.

(https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/s/25iavje3hvq5gji/20170807_170339.jpg)

(https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/s/ogx2aw7f0aqkzv9/20170807_170346.jpg)

First remove the undercoating. My wife helped some because she really liked how it flew of with the needle hammer :)

(https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/s/s2vyyhm4pgisinc/20170807_192105.jpg)

After the undercoating was removed, it was time to blast it.

(https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/s/iainumwcstmentm/20170809_151439.jpg)

(https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/s/zlfye4sfgpxf8f7/20170809_151502.jpg)

(https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/s/9rthmfztedd784r/20170809_152544.jpg)

Blasted and prepped for torque box installation.

(https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/s/nkpotz5rgupi8zi/20170811_132533.jpg)

Time to build some subframe connectors :)

I started with rectangular steel tubing 50x50x2 mm and then added some sheet metal to that.

(https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/s/7gfvmg3pz82lfbf/20170813_120512.jpg)

Finished :)

(https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/s/0vilkfpwbzuoycv/20170813_163501.jpg)

Ran into a problem with the repro kick panel. The door hinge bolt wore out the threads in no time. Luckily I saved to old one and cleaned it up and replaced the new one. The new must have been made of a softer steel.

(https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/s/xh7m5unqck9w3ay/20170909_155632.jpg)

Back to the underside of the car. Subframe connectors welded in place.

(https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/s/s59j1h5ull94gt4/20171021_153001.jpg)

Then epoxy primer applied.

(https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/s/nyhs4uhp0bb18xo/20171022_193252.jpg)

(https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/s/4un4sr860ennf9f/20171022_193301.jpg)

This was the work done from August until now. This last weekend it was time for some E5 after about 20 hours of sanding the epoxy.. Really boring work.

(https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/s/ootnppcmhfrio83/20171106_090259.jpg)

(https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/s/dxpc3vjfv333hc8/20171106_090307.jpg)

That's it! Finally up to speed again on my progress. Time for some much needed rest.

Looking great, nice work! At least you got to rustproof the overlaps by removing the inner fenders.

Thanks guys! :)

@soundcontrol (https://forum.e-bodies.org/mlist/soundcontrol_67) Thank you! That is very true and judging by how the car looked, it is much needed..

Quote from: Tunis on April 16, 2018, 04:15:12 AM
Thanks Alan! So instead of the studs I would drill holes as all of the clips then are the bolt style, correct?

Yes. Just lay the trim on the car in the position where you want it, lining up the ends with the drip rail moldings, then just mark the car and drill away..

Thank you so much Alan!

Any pictures of the 1970 style vinyl top trim studs?  How does one seal all of the drilled holes?  I was thinking the welded pin style was better with no holes but one would need a stud welder.

I just use black dum dum strip caulk around each clip stud. If you/re still worried, you can put silicone around each nut on the inside as well. :dunno:

@larry4406 (https://forum.e-bodies.org/mlist/larry4406_318) I bought these yesterday, I hope they are the ones I need or I will have yet another small bag of parts I don't need anymore...
https://www.ebay.com/itm/70-71-72-73-74-Dodge-Challenger-Plymouth-Cuda-vinyl-top-moulding-clips-Mopar/372063703429?ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649

I plan to put some seam sealer on the fasteners and make sure it covers the hole and is covered under the trim.

Per

Quote from: anlauto on April 17, 2018, 09:44:56 AM
I've heard over the years that SE trim is slightly wider, but personally I've NEVER seen proof of that....Maybe someone here can prove it ?
Either way, I can't see the difference being large enough that those clips wouldn't work :looney:

One of my SE's has the correct SE vinyl-top trim but the other has the standard vinyl-top trim.  My one-handed photo skills aren't the best but I took these pictures to show the difference.  The SE trim is 0.75 inches wide while the standard trim is only 0.50 inches wide.

Thought about the trim today and measured mine.......it measures  3/4" wide......

Excellent picture, that you...

Hope this shows ok, this one is mine.  Seems to have a raised ridge in the center

Quote from: DAYLEY/CHALLENGER on April 19, 2018, 02:58:06 PM
Hope this shows ok, this one is mine.  Seems to have a raised ridge in the center

Yep, I think that's really the easiest way to tell.  If the raised ridge is in the center of the trim then you have the SE trim.

Tunis, you must really love this car to put yourself through so much misery, but it's coming out great so far. I went through rust misery on my 72 challenger, almost threw in the towel a couple times ,and my car wasn't as rusty as yours, keep up the good work, we can't wait see it back from body and paint,gonna look awesome! And great resto blog! Wish I'd done that. By the way when you put gas tank in,make sure to feed the fill pipe into the hole as tank goes up.been there.

@roguedc72 (https://forum.e-bodies.org/mlist/roguedc72_1043) I have developed a love-hate relationship with this car. I love what she will become when I'm done with her, but I'm starting to hate her present form. I'm really tired of grinding welds and redoing past mistakes. Will try to remember the tip about the filler neck. Thanks!  :bradsthumb:

Quote from: usraptor on March 07, 2019, 04:56:46 PM
Makes me almost wish I had painted mine red instead of black.

I thought the same when I saw that, I like red and black, and mine is gonna be black... think the next one will be red.

Thanks a lot for the high praise everyone!

@soundcontrol (https://forum.e-bodies.org/mlist/soundcontrol_67)

QuoteYou got a baby and still got time to work on the car? Damn your'e good!

Well, it's all about prioritizing.. It was almost 4 months between the red interior paint and the trip to the painter..

I have been building a transmission in the mean time. Passon 4 speed 18-spline OD.

(https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/s/16j183gzkx4lgjb/20190303_120508.jpg)

Really tricky to get the counter shaft inplace. Took several hours of fiddling. Damn gears are sharp as **** as well.

(https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/s/96jpx9ggdxf6dn9/20190308_162657.jpg)

Shifter is also being rebuilt. I have sent the parts out to be zink plated.

(https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/s/9v3bewar9mna85v/20190303_164924.jpg)

@usraptor (https://forum.e-bodies.org/mlist/usraptor_90) @soundcontrol (https://forum.e-bodies.org/mlist/soundcontrol_67) then you will like this. I know I am...  :D :D

I went to the painter today, car is painted and ready to be picked up. They did an amazing work. I'm really stoked. Pictures don't show how good it really is, especially since I could hold the phone still.  :)
Theses are the first pictures I took while there. Enjoy!

(https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/s/pavdpxal391ddkf/20190311_164217.jpg)

(https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/s/prhimxqwu28vzkb/20190311_164245.jpg)

(https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/s/mhu958y3l7gy8ql/20190311_164252.jpg)

I know, the tail panel black paint is supposed to extend down the entire tail panel. They forgot about that. I had a lot of instructions for them... But it's ok. It's beautifully textured, nice shade of black and it won't show when everything is in place.

It will be a real shame covering that roof with vinyl and I almost regret going that route, but it's the way the car was born and it will break that red really nicely.

To be continued.

Quote from: Tunis on January 11, 2020, 11:47:49 AM
Thank you guys!  :worship:

Engine looks great Tunis.

What diameter exhaust valve springs are you using?

Many aftermarket one's are wider and will rub on the the inside of OEM Valve covers.

Outstanding! Great work!    :clapping:

Very nice!
Hydraulic or solid roller?

Thank you so much everyone!
@Topcat (https://forum.e-bodies.org/mlist/topcat_46) The springs are 1.550 in diameter. That, among many other things has been a worry of mine since I started ordering parts several years ago. I bought extra long spark plug tubes from Cassel when he was still in business. I think these are 0.25" longer than stock. These and a thicker valve cover gasket will be enough, I hope.

@GCragtop (https://forum.e-bodies.org/mlist/gcragtop_492) running hydraulic roller. 0.640" lift, 243/252 duration and 113 LSA.

Quote from: usraptor on January 17, 2020, 11:10:35 AM
BTW, depending on what clutch you're going to run, you might want to leave that large return spring off your clutch pedal.  For some reason they have a tendency to to sometimes keep the clutch pedal on the floor with a really strong clutch disc.  Don't understand why, they just do.   I know it did on mine and I had to remove the spring.  Works perfect now.

I will secant that!!!

Thanks for the kind comments everybody! I really appreciate it! :worship:

@JS29 (https://forum.e-bodies.org/mlist/js29_195) and @usraptor (https://forum.e-bodies.org/mlist/usraptor_90) I will try without it. Thank you for that tip and I happily accept more of those! I will run a McLeod RST Twin Disc clutch. I hope it will work for me.

Here is the engine right now before paint, still waiting on that little piece.

(https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/s/cxf950p4ft918dh/20200112_112943.jpg)

I'm using Stage V EFI intake and I bought a throttle linkage from Mancini to go with the Stage V and Mopar marine intake. It needs some persuasion to work with the injector ports and fuel rail...
This was the first modification. I need to extend it and move the cable away from the fuel rails. More details on that to come.

(https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/s/u4mzwf55yi4jih0/20200106_165718.jpg)

While waiting for the engine piece, I decided to take the steering pump apart to rebuild it.

Some before shots

(https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/s/ki2vc57xs7w6jex/20200112_114122.jpg)

(https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/s/abh7zgdxl2ur3wf/20200112_114142.jpg)

And all apart.

(https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/s/xe1bitjt4pgmjj1/20200112_162244.jpg)

More to come.

Quote from: 76orangewagon on February 18, 2020, 03:08:33 PM
Even though I'm going the stock route on my 71 Cuda, I really enjoy and appreciate custom work...especially the stuff that once completed no one can tell all the hard work and fabrication that went into it. Nice job !!!

Exactly! Deviate from factory and the floodgates open for all the brackets and details necessary. Most of which end up never being noticed.

Well done!  :cheers:

The updates are few and far in between.. But I haven't been idle, been doing as much as I can, when I can. Component restoration takes a lot of time (and money)  :angry:

We had our second child in March and work stopped for a while. I have been sneaking out into the garage every now and then, sometimes only for 5 minutes just to look at the car and feel that, 'hey, it's really not that much left to do'  ::) (yes, I know, it's still an empty shell)

These first pictures are from the restoration of my heater box, still waiting on a new A/C evaporator from YO, so it's not completely rebuilt yet. I don't trust the old one and I would really prefer to not have to take the dash down once it's in the car again. This job was done last year and I had never used or worked with fiberglass before. I must have spent 30+ hours on this thing, but I think in the end it turned out OK.

(https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/s/ljzcadxfh20mmio/20190316_181309.jpg)

(https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/s/r5q5p2y6hiaw5m2/20190316_181352.jpg)

(https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/s/n0wsw483l2rh44u/20190316_181424.jpg)

This is the first picture that I found that shows the damage to the heater box 'box'. The damage was quite severe.

(https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/s/xkoc78dt11z7naz/20190316_191059.jpg)

(https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/s/czyg79qcwz2yglt/20190318_165722.jpg)

(https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/s/vr3udpa40h9ybte/20190327_205715.jpg)

First crack repaired. Drilled a bunch of holes through the box to secure the aluminum sheet I used on the backside.

(https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/s/yuwh8t0su2zrhbp/20190327_205723.jpg)

I can't find anymore photos of the box now. Will take some when I get home from work of the completed box (minus the A/C evaporator and heater core).

Next up is the blower motor. This was done this year. I'm jumping back and forth between the parts and doing a little here and there depending on the estimated time consumption on each part.

(https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/s/cgbhh2cwg65yek6/20200501_102803.jpg)

(https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/s/607w9ew80zbc49u/20200501_102815.jpg)

(https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/s/rrun990z8zerma3/20200502_152459.jpg)

(https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/s/l7vrpmdedfapeq0/20200502_231523.jpg)

(https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/s/xumn0nzc6o23x49/20200502_231529.jpg)

(https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/s/7gv62zfrrcest36/20200615_103144.jpg)

Had the cover zinc plated and replaced the wires. Will snap a photo of the completed unit today.

(https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/s/ebmgvzdbq8eei5u/20200616_221730.jpg)

Shaker bubble time. This is an OEM bubble that I bought of eBay years ago.

(https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/s/nvay2w5j94ah887/20190826_180029.jpg)

(https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/s/1ad3soadc07mp5v/20190824_202817.jpg)

Repaired some cracks in it, then turned it over to my painter, which I think did an amazing job on it.

(https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/s/c84mnbxdvgwj837/20200525_171820.jpg)

(https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/s/1bgzgcs8f6z5bsn/20200525_171826.jpg)

more to come...

I tried to buy some engine mounts with a sandwiched steel structure, still using rubber not polyurethane since I wanted some vibration damping. I never got those, so I decided to modify my standard mounts on the left side. I figured a 3/8" Grade 8 bolt should be strong enough to hold the two plates of the mount together. Two bolts should definitely do it, I hope...

(https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/s/grf6m51u3wz6nx6/20200704_154420.jpg)

Drilled a 3/8" hole and countersunk it.

(https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/s/spklqq3c0arkzix/20200704_153146.jpg)

Tapped the underside.

(https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/s/4e8afjp20zzmnsf/20200704_153159.jpg)

The bolt heads have about 1 mm space between the surface of the mount and the bottom of the 'conical hole'. Should allow for +- 1mm of travel. I don't know if this will hold, but it should at least be better than nothing at all.

(https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/s/ho4fkua1au5p7iq/20200704_154014.jpg)

Ground the bolts flat on the underside and secured them with thread locker.

(https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/s/sfm3vnjzot4252r/20200704_154021.jpg)

That's what I do on the mounts as well.

@Tunis (https://forum.e-bodies.org/mlist/tunis_311), what glue did you use for the AC box? I have one in pieces also.

Quote from: RUNCHARGER on May 17, 2021, 06:42:19 AM
Looks nice! I think we've all did the caliper mess up at one time or another. I usually throw a moving blanket over the engine on the install.

When I installed my first set of Wilwood disc brakes. I called their tech line and they told me that they prefer to be hung off the back, and most aftermarket spindles, like in the recent RMS kit I'm building, don't give you a choice  :dunno:

@anlauto (https://forum.e-bodies.org/mlist/anlauto_19) I see, so which is better? Should I flip them again and hang the calipers in the back? What differences, if any, is there? I read somewhere that having the brake lines cross the steering axle is preferred.

Quote from: YellowThumper on May 17, 2021, 08:53:15 PM
I had read many variations as to why.
One that stuck with me was loading.
When hitting brakes the calipers get "loaded". That load is then transferred into suspension.
Front mounted transfer that load into in essence the tire pushing it into the ground.

I read that somewhere as well.  :alan2cents:

I need some help from someone with a complete car.

With the battery disconnected, with an ohmmeter across the battery cables, what resistance do you get with the ignition key in off, on and start?

Thank you!

Off: 93,8 kOhms
Ign on: 7,5 Ohms
Start: 11,5 Ohms

On my Barracuda, 318/904

Super! Thank you very much!  :worship: