Author Topic: Help needed in PA  (Read 1431 times)

Offline tcalpino

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Help needed in PA
« on: March 26, 2016 - 12:57:21 PM »
I'm looking to move forward with my 72 Challenger project. I got my quarters, trunk pan, and floor pan patch. I am seeing if anyone is in the Reading, PA area and would like to help a novice restorer move his project along. I'd feel a lot better if I had someone to guide me along instead of me attempting to do something and messing it up. Adult beverages can be provided.




Offline soundcontrol

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Re: Help needed in PA
« Reply #1 on: May 04, 2016 - 06:07:49 PM »
Can't help you (since I'm in Sweden), but I'm in the same boat, beginner also, and I wanna replace all that, have no one close by to help, but I think I will start with just the trunk floor, and see how hard it is. Been checking forums and Youtube, quarters will be tough, trunk floor seems easy enough. Good luck with yours!
/ Ken
Restoration thread: http://www.cuda-challenger.com/cc/index.php?topic=102525.0
topic=108917.new#new

Offline 70chall440

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Re: Help needed in PA
« Reply #2 on: May 04, 2016 - 06:21:22 PM »
Unfortunately I cannot help either as I am on the left coast (Washington state), however having done this recently for the first time myself I can offer some advice. Think of the car like a model car, each part goes in a general location and has to meet with the other panels that connect to it. You didn't say, but I am going to make the assumption that you haven't removed the old panels yet. Remove 1 panel at a time and do so by cutting it off 1-2 inches (or more) away from where it connects to the other panels. Then carefully drill out the spot welds or in some cases grind them out. Once you have the old removed and all remnants of it, test fit the new one. You can make adjustments at this point to how it fits and lines up. Lots of clamps, Clecos, etc will be a big help. Understand that these were not precision build cars from the beginning and years of use and abuse took their toll so a new panel may not fit as you would think it should (however it might). Once you are happy with the fit, tack weld it (weld it in a fashion that can be removed/ground, etc just in case). You need to check, recheck and repeat many times until you are absolutely sure it fits or fits as good as it can/will. It is just metal and it can be manipulated as can the original panels.

I did both rear quarters at the same time and didn't weld them in until I had fit the trunk lid, rear valance and bumper. The rear valance is a VERY important issue, you have to make sure it fits before welding everything up. The quarters can only go where they are designed for, however there is a little adjustment and you can manipulate several aspects through cutting, grinding and welding. It isn't rocket science but I completely get how scary it is. Take is very slow, think through what you are doing or about to do, look at every aspect before welding.

Good luck
Current Mopar
70 Challenger RT 440-6 EFI, 73 Cuda 416-6 EFI
05 Hemi Durango, 01 Ram 4x4, 14 Ram 2500 4X4, 10 PCP Challenger 6 spd RT, 01 Viper GTS ACR, 52 B3B w/330 Desoto Hemi, 70 Hemi RR (under const)
Past Mopars
9 x Challengers. AAR Cuda, 4 RR, 2 GTX, 4 Chargers, etc... (too many to list)

Offline roadman5312

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Re: Help needed in PA
« Reply #3 on: May 04, 2016 - 06:43:55 PM »
                  :iagree:   And measure everything before you start cutting, take pics, make notes.   :2cents:

Offline 70chall440

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Re: Help needed in PA
« Reply #4 on: May 05, 2016 - 12:13:16 AM »
                  :iagree:   And measure everything before you start cutting, take pics, make notes.   :2cents:

 :iagree: especially the pics; everywhere the panels make contact, how they interface with each other, down each side, body/style lines, etc. More is better
Current Mopar
70 Challenger RT 440-6 EFI, 73 Cuda 416-6 EFI
05 Hemi Durango, 01 Ram 4x4, 14 Ram 2500 4X4, 10 PCP Challenger 6 spd RT, 01 Viper GTS ACR, 52 B3B w/330 Desoto Hemi, 70 Hemi RR (under const)
Past Mopars
9 x Challengers. AAR Cuda, 4 RR, 2 GTX, 4 Chargers, etc... (too many to list)

Offline js29no

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Re: Help needed in PA
« Reply #5 on: May 06, 2016 - 12:53:19 PM »
that pretty much sum's it it up!!! :working: