E-Bodies.org Cuda Challenger Forum

Technical Shop => Body Shop => Topic started by: B5fourspeed on June 04, 2020, 07:44:47 PM

Title: Body plugs
Post by: B5fourspeed on June 04, 2020, 07:44:47 PM
It has been over 10 years since my last restoration.My current 70 Cuda I just got back from the paint shop on Monday.Seems like everything I attempt to put on the car there is an issue.I am putting the body plugs in now.The one on the floor pans were not bad because I could beat them in with a rubber mallet.The 4 that go next to the drop-offs in the trunk look like they will be a pain.I am afraid of cracking the paint when using the rubber mallet.You need to hit the crap out of the them.Any Ideas on getting them in.Thanks When they sell the body plug kits why don't they tell you which one goes where.
Title: Re: Body plugs
Post by: 70 Challenger Lover on June 04, 2020, 07:56:46 PM
I like to use a socket of the right size and then I just press down hard. No mallet.
Title: Re: Body plugs
Post by: B5fourspeed on June 04, 2020, 08:01:00 PM
Thank you.I will try that.
Title: Re: Body plugs
Post by: Mr Lee on June 04, 2020, 08:43:00 PM
If I remember correctly, I think I dabbed a little bit of grease on some of them to help em in... which also doubles as rust prevention  :) Then wipe off any excess

I sympathize with your comment about how "everything you try to put on the car, there is an issue."  Im getting close to finishing my car and have been feeling like that for the past 6 months of steady work.  I hope you have better luck.   


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Title: Re: Body plugs
Post by: Topcat on June 04, 2020, 09:14:13 PM
Use a heat gun from a distance to get the plastic a little softer.

...Or put out in the Sun for a while. 

Plastic durometer changes slightly from heat.
But of course  it's a variable.

Socket was what I did too installing.

https://www.industrialspec.com/about-us/blog/detail/what-is-durometer-elastomer-and-plastic-hardness
Title: Re: Body plugs
Post by: anlauto on June 05, 2020, 04:38:15 AM
WD40... lots of it
Title: Re: Body plugs
Post by: Floyd on June 05, 2020, 05:49:06 AM
I did this job not too long ago. I told myself "I'll just pop those body plugs in".  Turned out to be a bigger struggle than expected.  I too used dabs of grease, no mallet.  I wish I would have tried the socket technique. Makes you wonder how they did it on the assembly line.
Title: Re: Body plugs
Post by: Burdar on June 05, 2020, 06:01:10 AM
I'll try the socket trick next time.  I remember my thumbs hurting pretty bad when I got done putting the plugs in my Challenger.
Title: Re: Body plugs
Post by: Mrbill426 on June 05, 2020, 09:36:59 AM
That's what I just did using  a dab of lithium and the female end of a socket extension; worked fine.  :bigthumb:  At first I was irritated that plugs in the set I bought were all just too big for the holes  :unbelievable:


Quote from: 70 Challenger Lover on June 04, 2020, 07:56:46 PM
I like to use a socket of the right size and then I just press down hard. No mallet.
Title: Re: Body plugs
Post by: gzig5 on June 05, 2020, 04:21:15 PM
I think I'm going to weld every one of them closed.  I can see the need or reason to use the rubber plugs on a stock type restoration, but most of those holes serve no purpose other than as a spot for water to get in or rust to form, once the car left the factory.
Title: Re: Body plugs
Post by: B5fourspeed on June 08, 2020, 10:48:23 AM
The 70 Cuda Body plug kit did not come with 2 other sizes I needed.I had  6 left over.Why can't the suppliers kit come with a diagram  showing where the plugs go.I have a 70 car and the kit did not match up to  holes I have.The socket did work but I torn a couple plugs because they were very stiff.
Title: Re: Body plugs
Post by: jamesroney on June 08, 2020, 12:20:06 PM
Hello,
Did you end up with an extra plug to fit
A 1-7/8 Hole?

I would love to buy it.

I ended up needing exactly one more plug on my 70 convertible.
Title: Re: Body plugs
Post by: B5fourspeed on June 08, 2020, 03:18:02 PM
I will measure it.
Title: Re: Body plugs
Post by: B5fourspeed on June 08, 2020, 03:20:57 PM
Pm me your address I will send it to on the house.I have 2 if you want both.
Title: Re: Body plugs
Post by: Topcat on June 08, 2020, 06:04:36 PM
Bob,

Come down and visit both of us.

James lives down the street from me.

you met before.