Since I'm waaaay back on page 7 of the restoration projects forum (4+ months ago) it looks like it's time for an update. Thanks for all the likes!! I did slow down a bit last winter but picking up speed now. Been a little slow at work so taking advantage of that. Got my fender back from my painter and he took care of my mistakes. Passenger door is all sanded out and, on the car, the driver's door needs one more pass and coat of primer but on the car for now. Did notice the lower rear corner of the driver's door it out from the quarter a bit so need to address that.
Some of the welding when I installed the upper cowl, fire wall AC portion, and fender repairs a few years ago I used silica bronze welding wire. Painter noted some of the welds were not hot enough on the fenders and the welds fell out. Concerning? Yes! So I looked over the cowl / firewall areas and some of the welds had the same issue. Panel popped off in areas with little effort. Crap! So I cut those bronze welds out and in the process I damaged the upper cowl and the brackets from the cowl and firewall to the inner fenders. New metal in hand I removed the bad and new stuff was mostly fitted up by the end of February.
March started a new chapter with fitting in my fenders, hood, hood hinges, and front valance. I do have a little work to do to get everything fitting properly but pretty happy with where I'm at with the front clip given all the rookie mistakes I've made in this area. Thanks to @Dodge 330 for help with measurements off an unmolested car to help guide me. Looking thru my photos, it's been over 13 years since a hood was on this car. Granted I wasn't doing anything with the car for most of those years, but dam that is a long time.... The hood holder jig that goes on the engine crane was a super big helper since I'm working solo most of the time. A few photos of my progress from the last several months. Thanks All!
Some of the welding when I installed the upper cowl, fire wall AC portion, and fender repairs a few years ago I used silica bronze welding wire. Painter noted some of the welds were not hot enough on the fenders and the welds fell out. Concerning? Yes! So I looked over the cowl / firewall areas and some of the welds had the same issue. Panel popped off in areas with little effort. Crap! So I cut those bronze welds out and in the process I damaged the upper cowl and the brackets from the cowl and firewall to the inner fenders. New metal in hand I removed the bad and new stuff was mostly fitted up by the end of February.
March started a new chapter with fitting in my fenders, hood, hood hinges, and front valance. I do have a little work to do to get everything fitting properly but pretty happy with where I'm at with the front clip given all the rookie mistakes I've made in this area. Thanks to @Dodge 330 for help with measurements off an unmolested car to help guide me. Looking thru my photos, it's been over 13 years since a hood was on this car. Granted I wasn't doing anything with the car for most of those years, but dam that is a long time.... The hood holder jig that goes on the engine crane was a super big helper since I'm working solo most of the time. A few photos of my progress from the last several months. Thanks All!
