73 Challenger restoration

[soundcontrol]

I'm doing a different approach to the new sheet metal panels. Since I work in the aerospace industry, I know about the strength of epoxy bonding and rivet's. I didn't do any welding, all of the pieces were bonded using 3M panel bond adhesive. This is modern technology that is used in current manufacturing of cars, plus some additional fasteners and rivets to add insurance on the frame rails and quarter panels.

Panel bond adhesive also seal the joints, and prevents any possibility of moisture getting in there. The cleco's allowed me to fit most all of the panels in place and then attach them. Check out the link.

http://3mcollision.com/3m-panel-bonding-adhesive-08116.html

So your'e saying that the Boeing 747 I'm flying with to L.A in a few months is glued together?         


This is interesting, any pictures of the process?

[Montana13]

Hey Soundcontrol-

747's are older airplanes, so the fuselage is still made from aluminum and riveted to aluminum and or titanium framework. But there are panels on the wings, horizontal and vertical stabilizer, that are carbon fiber composite pieces. These are laminated (glued) together in layers with a honeycomb structure usually. I work at the Boeing factory in Charleston, SC, on the 787. This is the first full carbon fiber composite commercial aviation airplane, with a full carbon fiber fuselage. This stuff is incredibly strong. Check out the video below as to how it is built.

BTW, the Lotus Elise is a total carbon fiber body that is riveted and glued together. Incredibly strong and stiff stuff.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7nyZWwiurD8

[Montana13]

Sound Control-

Sorry I don't have any photos of how I did the bonding. But basically I did overlapping sheet metal joints about an 1"wide, and ground all paint off of them to get to bare metal. Then a few wipes with some paint thinner to remove any grease or oils, and applied the epoxy with the mixing gun. I had about a 30 minute window to get the panels together before the glue starts to set up. The 3m stuff is expensive, about $45.00 or so for a tube, and I've used about 6 tubes so far. The cleco's hold it in position while the glue sets.

[73440]

Interesting. Although I kinda like the belt and suspenders approach. How many takeoff landing cycles has the epoxy been tested to? Or maybe its as said that the weld is stronger than the metal.
I saw the green colored frames in the video and wonder if they are built by a company I did construction work for in Stuart Fla called Triumph Aerostructures.

[Montana13]

Not sure on the cycles 73340. I think that is determined over the course of time, and the heavy checks that evaluate the integrity of the fuselage. Not sure on who makes the tooling.

[Mopar73340]

Nice work. Keep it up.  Nice to see others restoring the newer Challengers!!

[wagesofsin]

clecos.....good.....

bonding....
we will see in the long term
maybe ill be surprised, but im doubtin it...technology always seems to upset itself in the longterm..
look at cash registers fer example..
no one can make change without help, and want a massive pay raise....sigh
panels are welded fer a reason...
even if jus spot welded
ive dragged more than one of these from  the grave
jus thinkin out loud


johnny

[Montana13]

Been working the panels, blocking the crap out of the doors and quarters. Front fenders are next. Getting my gaps set pretty good.

[Chlngrcrzy]

Looking good!  I went through pretty much the same steps as you have. I made some modifications before i started to prime and block. I couldn't stand the look of the side marker lights, so i fabbed in some conversion plates and set my 73 up with 70-71 style side marker lights. I like your progress.

[Montana13]

Hmmm, didn't know that they were different from the earlier year Challengers. Will have to check them out since I'm going with 70 bumpers without the bumperettes.

[Chlngrcrzy]

70 and 71 have flush side marker lights and have a nice shape and look to them, whereas the 72- 74 are rectangular and stick out about 3/8 inch. Depends on if you like modifications or want to keep it close to stock look.

[rhamson]

70 and 71 have flush side marker lights and have a nice shape and look to them, whereas the 72- 74 are rectangular and stick out about 3/8 inch. Depends on if you like modifications or want to keep it close to stock look.

I also hated the '72-'74 stuck on markers. I flushed in some '71 Roadrunner lenses.

[Montana13]

More pictures. I'm getting burned out on the body work at this point. Found some used fenders at the Charlotte auto fair that were in great shape with no rust. Way better platform than the swiss cheese front fenders that I had. Really want to get some shiny stuff on the sheet metal. Started working on the motor to get away from filler dust for awhile.

[Montana13]

Shiny stuff on the deck lid. Hemi orange paint code PLC. I've got a little bit of trash and some orange peel that I'll buff out. Not bad for inside of my garage.

[Chlngrcrzy]

I painted my entire car in my garage. I basically built a booth my laying plastic sheeting all the way around and stapled to the ceiling and taped to the floor. I then put 2 box fans with furnace filters on them sucking from the garage to the outside. i wet the floor so that there was no dust. Worked out ok for my first paint job.