71 GTX Build

[a68postcar]

I see nothing here that you don't seem to be able to handle, more pics is good too. build on bro.build on.

 

[crahill39]

Here are some more pictures that show how bad the roof and A-Pillars are.














The parts car roof is completely solid from the C-Pillars to the A-Pillars. I am thinking the best approach is to just take the complete roof from the factory seems. What do you think?

Craig

 

[a68postcar]

get all the hard parts you can get from the donor car. take it apart and clean it up good, and USE IT. its a good thing to have a donor. not just for parts either.

 

[crahill39]

Engine is out, and it's was a first time for me. What a PITA it was doing it by myself - was quite a learning curve getting that thing out.







Dash will come out this week sometime and then I will get to removing the rear quarter panels. There is a restoration shop here in Texarkana that is going to handle the actual roof swap - I just don't feel like my skills are at a level where I won't screw it up.

Craig

 

[71airgrabberRR]

The roof swap isn't really too hard to do if you can weld. It's basically a matter of drilling out a million spot welds and placing the new roof skin back in place. Plus it gives you great access to the inner structure.

You can do it !!!!

 

[tallhair]

Check out propwash's dart thread .. he did just that

 

[crahill39]

The roof swap isn't really too hard to do if you can weld. It's basically a matter of drilling out a million spot welds and placing the new roof skin back in place. Plus it gives you great access to the inner structure.

You can do it !!!!

The problem I am seeing is the inner structure is rotted through in many places. I am going to work on getting the quarter panels off to see how the factory connected the roof. My welding skills are ok, but I really don't want to screw this up.

 

[Icecobra]

If your doubting yourself then definitely make the jump to let the shop do it. It will give you a breather to get other things done while you wait. Its tedious work if you can afford to pay to get it done then do it. They have the huge investment in the tools and equipment to make the job right and make you happy. Get as far along as you can and open up what you can so you can get the numbers on cost in advance and this will let you decide what parts you want to tackle and the parts you want them to address... Looks like a fun but albeit a stressful project. In the end look at the bright side how many people can drive a car and say " I built that"...

 

[crahill39]

Not much work got done this weekend. Got the 440 to machine shop to be inspected. Initial measurements shows the block is standard bore and doesn't look to be in bad shape. However, I will know more next week after they finish tearing it down, then clean and check for cracks. I should get to pulling the dash this week sometime and then getting the quarter panels cut off to expose where the roof needs to be cut.

 

[71airgrabberRR]

Thanks for the update !!!!

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Only you know what your skill level is. If you feel comfortable then go for it. If not, then you would be wise to take it somewhere to get the work done.

By trying things for yourself, that is how we learn. But the bottom line is this: It's your car and whatever you decide to do with it is cool. Sometimes we can screw things up by trying to do things on our own. Sometimes we get lucky and add another skill to our list.

To this day I will NOT try to install a windshield or back glass that uses a gasket. Some things are best left to the professionals.

Please keep us posted, and the pictures coming !!!!

 

[a68postcar]

remember that its supposed to be fun.

 

[crahill39]

Started removing the quarter panel today. I don't get much time during the week, but I find just a couple hours working on the car after my shift ends, takes all the stress away.






Craig

 

[a68postcar]

I'm pretty sure I've seen way worse.

 

[71airgrabberRR]

Looks like you made some good progress. Tinkering with my cars is relaxing for me too. Keep it up!!!! Looks good !!!!!

 

[crahill39]

I think I am going to get a portable blaster so I can clean some of the areas I am working on. With all the rust in certain areas, it is hard to see how certain parts come together. I appreciate all the comments, and when I look through some of your own restorations, it motivates me to try things that are a bit out of my comfort zone. I will probably still farm the roof swap out as planned, but I plan on starting on the back half of the car first, starting with the trunk & extensions and repairing the rot around wheel well areas. I also have some issues on the tail panel section that I need to address, and I will probably take the whole piece from the donor car instead of trying to weld a bunch of patches in.

 

[71airgrabberRR]

I bought new AMD trunk extensions for my car. Do yourself a favor and get these parts too, since they have to come out in order to replace the extensions.

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This is actually two parts that are spot welded together from the factory.

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http://www.autometaldirect.com/body...uarter-panel-reinforcements-c-23_145_302.html

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They are called quarter panel reinforcements.

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872-1471-1L left side @ $44.99

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872-1471-2L also at $44.99

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try the link again, Sorry.................

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View attachment 255367

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840-1471-L Trunk Floor extension, $139.99

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and how they all fit together.

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I use a small portable blaster that holds 80 pounds of material. You will need a good compressor to keep up with it. There are numerous posts on here about that. Just make sure you wear the proper protective equipment and don't use silica sand.

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Hope this helps you brother...................... Don't hesitate to ask any questions.

 

[crahill39]

Those pictures are exactly what I need. I talked to Jeff @ 521 restorations, some of the parts are on back order until mid-late June. Gives me time to start pulling apart the parts car and get the blaster ordered. Fortunately, I have a 2 stage Quincy compressor that should keep up with most blasters as I bought it with a sand blaster in mind. Thanks for the help brother, this really helps.

Craig

 

[crahill39]

I broke out the plasma cutter the other day and in 5 minutes was able to cut the outline out of the other quarter panel ! I also found an old motorcycle plate in there. Pretty interesting the things you find.











Craig

 

[HerlitzGTX]

How's she coming now?

 

[crahill39]

How's she coming now?

Not much work has been done on it lately. I am getting ready to send it off to the shop to do the roof swap, just been a matter of saving up the funds. I also have the 440 at the machine shop and getting ready to fund that build. I had been holding off on the roof swap until I found out for sure the original 440 was able to be rebuilt. The machine shop told me the block was in great shape and had relatively low miles, and still had the standard bore. I am planning out the build with him and then both the GTX and parts car head to the shop for the roof swap.

Craig