73 challenger cracked header panel

[Buddhascuda]

  what is the best way to repair cracks in my 73 challenger header panel .my panel has 4-5 stress cracks and since i'm fixin things i want to take care of this

[elitecustombody]

Clean the area around cracks and weld them up.Once welded, finish metal smooth,apply skim coat if glazing putty if needed. There is no better solution besides nice used or new replacement panel.If you have access to TIG welder, I'd use TIG.

[ChallengerHK]

Can you really weld fiberglass? I know very little about welding, but this is the first I've heard of this.

[71340RT]

If you are talking about the fiberglass header panel the grill fits in you will have to fix it with fiberglass rienforced filler. I bought the fine hair fiberglasss reinforced filler for my 73 header panel as it had the same issues. I ground out the crack in a V groove and filled it with the fiberglass reinforced filler. Once I was done with the front if I could get to the back side I did the same thing making a V groove and putting the filler in it. You will have to sand smooth and prime when done but mine came out great and I hope it holds up for along time.

 

[burdar]

I would NOT attempt to fix it while it's on a bench.  Once it's installed back onto the car and tightened up, it will crack again.  I've got a crack in mine between the DS headlights.  It was fixed on a bench and when it was tightened down, it cracked again.  I'm going to have it fixed once the car is done.

Member Joelson6 had the same problem.  He fixed his header panel, installed it and heard a cracking noise.  He said he was going to repair it on the car as well.  I don't know if he's gotten around to it yet though.