Saving another 68 Charger

[Propwash]

I appreciate it Smyythe68......I seen a bit on this over a A-Bodies, but it's good to talk with someone over here that's actually done it and has some knowledge about it. Thanks again!

 

[smyythe68]

Got a little more work done over the past few days. Patched up the inner wheelwells, removed what was left of the lower valance, and test fitted the trunk pan. I also had to move the shock crossmember. It was off by a half inch.:angry1: Now comes the fun of drilling all the holes to attach the pan. Can't wait to see it in and have a solid floor from firewall to trunkpan for the first time in a long time.

 

[roadrunnerman]

that is one heck of a job on the trunk floor.

 

[TheSwede]

Nice job, I better get going with my project too, it is good to have your car as a referens. Keep up the good work!

 

[moparstuart]

:hello2::hello2::hello2::hello2::hello2::hello2::hello2::hello2::headbang::headbang::headbang::headbang::headbang::headbang::headbang::headbang::headbang:

 

[Ron 73]

Trunk looks great, You do some good work... Good luck, thanks for the updates..

 

[Propwash]

Good work Smyythe68! I think at a minimum we need to start telling any new guys/cars coming to the resto threads from here on out, no matter what they think, they're gonna be patching the inner wheelhouse's at the trunk pan..lol

 

[smyythe68]

Ok, so it's been awhile since I've had a chance to do much with the car or get a chance to sit down at the computer. But I did get some work done. The cluster is finally done, rechromed and put back together. Looks fantastic! Finished installing the trunk floor and the lower valance, really feels solid now. Cut off the quarters and got her out for sand blasting should be back soon and I can post some more pics.

 

[SGTPaul]

Looks good Dude!

 

[blackblazer717]

I see its coming home now... :-(

 

[smyythe68]

Got the old girl back from the blaster last week. What a relief, with no rust to fight with and a blank canvas to continue with. All I need now is money!:toothy5:LOL. Need to get some together to get the quarters on, Trunk drop offs, outer wheelhouse and a deck filler panel should get the back done. Not looking forward to the outer wheelhouses, looks rather involved. Just epoxy primed everything yesterday and can't wait to get my hands back to work.

 

[Pops1967GTX]

nice job......

 

[64SF]

Nice work. Question did you ger your odometer to all zeros?

 

[smyythe68]

yes, I zeroed my odometer when I rebuilt my dash. I figured the car will be new when its done.

 

[SGTPaul]

Looking good. :eusa_dance: Did your blaster find any new opportunities for you to work on as mine did for me? As to the wheelhouses I determined that the outer and inner wheelhouses are continuously welded together before installation into the body. I took my inners out believing I would replace them but liked the fit of the old ones so I saved them. To get the remaining portion of the outers out I just ground them off at the seam. You could probably trim the old outers off at the seam and slide the new ones in on top of the old seam?

 

[smyythe68]

Yeah, a couple spots. nothing too suprising. I thought of grinding them off also.Does the continuous weld go all the way around in to the back seat area? My father in law(body man) also recommended cutting them flush and just sliding them in on top. Who would know, besides me.:icon_scratch:

 

[SGTPaul]

I can confirm from all the grinding I did the suckers are welded all the way around…. Ug…. It’s your car so it’s your call. You will still need to cut all the spot welds from the inner structure to the wheelhouses to properly slide them in. Mine is all apart now so if you want I can send you some pics or you are welcome to stop over to take a peak. Good luck!

 

[smyythe68]

Well after much drilling, cutting,(swearing), I finally got the driver side quarter off. Found some rust but nothing to serious. Also hung the door for a good reference point for the new quarter panel. Primed the car with Matrix system MP-900, seems to be good stuff. I was heating up the lead at the roof seam and it did not burn off! The lead just finally melted and was so heavy that it broke through the primer, like a blister, amazing stuff! Anyway, hope to line up the quarter tomorrow so I can weld in the outer whelhouse.

 

[smyythe68]

Any tips on installing the trunk drop off and valance corner ?

 

[Propwash]

Progress is look good! Great work.