A New 68 Build Thread

[etindoll]

Amazing build excellent work!

[FrankieD]

I can understand now why guys look for clean orignal parts

[ccracin]

So out comes the trusty 4 1/2" grinder, well one of the FIVE with a wiz wheel and off I go. After much thought, laying out, eyeballing, rethinking, asking Dad "are you sure you want me to do this?" off comes the front formed edge of the hood. I guess I should say poorly formed edge of the hood.











It's starting to look like this hood actually does belong on this truck. After some tweeking, hammer and dolly work and cutting it in half, the front edge is also starting to fit. Note to all out there, remember your gap holders. Things fit very poorly when you do not account for panel gaps. Notice the paint sticks below. How do you think that fit without them? I almost has a heart attack thinking "I know I didn't cut that much off?!





This week we will reattach it permanently and see if I cause myself some more educational projects! Till next time!

[Bennett68C10]

Hood mods look good. Question for you are your front fenders re-pops and if so how did they fit. Any problems with them or things you didn't like.
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[jtp67-72]

Then cutting that zig-zag out of the door where the outer moulding goes on the 1-piece windows out 2 be a cinch!!! just did mine ...and looks way better...i'll send pic a little later............jim

[ccracin]

Originally Posted by jtp67-72

Then cutting that zig-zag out of the door where the outer moulding goes on the 1-piece windows out 2 be a cinch!!! just did mine ...and looks way better...i'll send pic a little later............jim

Oh, I'm good at cutting now! Pictures are always good. I'll be looking forward to it. By the way, where's the update to your thread?

[ccracin]

Originally Posted by Bennett--G4L

Hood mods look good. Question for you are your front fenders re-pops and if so how did they fit. Any problems with them or things you didn't like.
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Thanks! They are re-pops and fit about as good or as bad as the rest of it. I'll be posting as I go along on what I have to do to fix them. Lets put it this way, I am going to have to cut the tops of both of them for about a foot and a half to fix the hood gaps. That's just the start! Stay tuned.

[Bennett68C10]

Originally Posted by ccracin

Thanks! They are re-pops and fit about as good or as bad as the rest of it. I'll be posting as I go along on what I have to do to fix them. Lets put it this way, I am going to have to cut the tops of both of them for about a foot and a half to fix the hood gaps. That's just the start! Stay tuned.

Wow guess I'll be looking for rust free originals or fix mine. Thanks for the info.

[ccracin]

Originally Posted by Bennett--G4L

Wow guess I'll be looking for rust free originals or fix mine. Thanks for the info.

Kieth,

If you can find rust free, then I would say go for it. My issue has always been the rust. These panels were made with tons of spot welded lap joints. No mater how much blasting and sanding you do, you will not get the rust that may be in between those joints. If you plan to do high end paint work, the last thing you want is that rust to leach back out. This is why we went this route. When you look at the gaps and tolerances they used on these panels back then, chances are you will be doing some sort of work like this to any panel to make it "perfect". We had very nice fenders, no holes etc. But the insides were covered in surface corrosion. Not bad but we weren't going to take the chance. These are just my thoughts. Good Luck!

[Bennett68C10]

Originally Posted by ccracin

Kieth,

If you can find rust free, then I would say go for it. My issue has always been the rust. These panels were made with tons of spot welded lap joints. No mater how much blasting and sanding you do, you will not get the rust that may be in between those joints. If you plan to do high end paint work, the last thing you want is that rust to leach back out. This is why we went this route. When you look at the gaps and tolerances they used on these panels back then, chances are you will be doing some sort of work like this to any panel to make it "perfect". We had very nice fenders, no holes etc. But the insides were covered in surface corrosion. Not bad but we weren't going to take the chance. These are just my thoughts. Good Luck!

Thanks for the info Chad and your right about the rust, just can't get it all. I wouldn't say I'm doing a high end paint job as I will be painting it myself but I would like for it to be as nice as possible.
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[69CST-V]

You have some serious skills and guts. Keep up the great work and pics. I like seeing how the people who really know what's up do it. That how I learn being a person who doesn't know.
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[ccracin]

Originally Posted by 69CST-V

You have some serious skills and guts. Keep up the great work and pics. I like seeing how the people who really know what's up do it. That how I learn being a person who doesn't know.
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Thanks very much! I'm working on the skills and guts! I spend a lot of time on this forum and others doing the very same thing. No one knows it all and there is always someone that knows something you don't. Thanks again.

[BrutonLS1]

Wow those exhaust headers are incredible. Nice job. I guess there aren't many options on the market? I just posted a thread about this.

[Xeen]

Wow those fenders were way off talk about a worn out die.

[72BlckButy]

Amazing skills!

What kind of welder are you using?

[ccracin]

Originally Posted by 72BlckButy

Amazing skills!

What kind of welder are you using?

Thanks Nate, it's a Lincoln Precision Tig 225. I also use a Lincoln SP-125+ Mig.

[72BlckButy]

Amazing work... wish I had your skills.

[rkintn_68]

Totally Amazing Work !!!

[Nsanehotrodz]

Chad it looks like your fenders were alot of the problem with the hood fitment. I'll send you the pic of the side contour we were talking about. Great job!

[jtp67-72]

That's why I'm always buying oem fenders and stock pilin em'....nice work Chad but U would think this day and age they could repop better stuff....jim

[ccracin]

Originally Posted by jtp67-72

That's why I'm always buying oem fenders and stock pilin em'....nice work Chad but U would think this day and age they could repop better stuff....jim

I just can't get past the rust thing. Even if the OEM's look good you never know whats in those lap joints hiding. Who knows! Yes for sure the repop stuff should be better. Talk about a take it or leave it attitude! What's up with your project? I'm anxious to see more!

[ccracin]

Originally Posted by Nsanehotrodz

Chad it looks like your fenders were alot of the problem with the hood fitment. I'll send you the pic of the side contour we were talking about. Great job!

Definitely a big part of it, but the hood was off along the front edge as well. I think I got it licked! Thanks for the compliment! How was SEMA? Maybe I'll get to see you there next year!

[falconizer_62]

Great work, man and thanks for the insight on poor quality repops... sorry it has to be so much harder than it should.

[Bennett68C10]

Great work on the fenders, just sucks you had to do that to brand new ones.
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[Xeen]

You are doing a really nice job man and all that hard work is going to pay off, I cant wait to see the finished product.