Dreaming is over, the Hemi tribute

[dutch]

hey Per,

did you finish work on the Charger?  that thing looks sweet 
Bad repairs can be redone... may be an option before buying a new fender     Also, my offer to help with stabilizing the body for the rotisserie still stands... I dont think a couple bars in the dooropenings will do...

Bart

[Belgium Cuda]

Hi Bart,

The charger has been resting due to the cold weather, will continue one of these days.

For the stabilizing I was thinking to put some bars in the dooropenings for the sandblasting and then maybe we can
add a cross when it's ready for the rotisserie. Still need to fix those holes for the front bumperbracket.

Per

[mapandjlp]

Sweet project!  I'm thinking of a hemi for my '70 hardtop.  I'll be paying close attention to this thread!!! 

Good luck!

[Belgium Cuda]

Early christmas this year. Finally went to pick up all my AMD stuff that has been standing at the customs for a month,this will hopefully shoot some motivation into this project. Something this terrible winter killed rather good. Shakerhood, full frontfloor,
rear floorpans, trunkfloor,innerfenders radiatorsupport, rear right quarter patch panel and lots of brackets and other smaller stuff. Have to take that
weldingclass soon.

Per

[dutch]

oh man....  that`s some way to start spring.... 

[70shaker6pk]

Very neat, bet you can't wait to get started.

[Belgium Cuda]

Started preparation before taking it to the sandblaster, my first bodywork ever. Found that cutting out most
of the panels before drilling the spotwelds out works better, less panel to bend. Is that a normal way of working? I'm still doubting if I should leave the floor in or not when I go to the shop due to flexing although
I will weld some bars in the door opening. I can always ask him not to blast the floor.

Per

[dutch]

nice start there     did diner taste like metal? 
I`m not really into verts,  so maybe someone who is could chime in here.., but, I think you should be carefull cutting the inner fenders away like that.  you might want to drop in a few bars between the cowl and k-member... 
I would leave the floors in but cut out most of the old seamsealer before blasting. you will benefit when you want to drill the spotwelds in the floors
must feel good to get that crumbled metal out of there... 

[Belgium Cuda]

Got the rest of the innerfenders off today, actually rather fun to do some bodywork after always beeing
scare of it before. Continued with removing seamsealer but that was really  a PITA Just like old
chewinggum stucked to the floor, still have a couple of days there I guess. Still thinking how to solve
the problem with the holes for the bumperbrackets that are welded together, any thoughts? Cut out
a piece of the framerail and weld in a new one with nuts on the inside?

Per

[dutch]

can u see if they were cut off, or broke ?

[Street_Challenged73]

Perhaps you could drill a small hole through the center of the remaining bolt/weld (whichever it is) & then slowly work up in size until you have an appropriately-sized hole.  Then get a tap for the correct bolt size & thread pitch and work that in and out of each hole until there are nice, clean threads.  I know the factory only spot welded the nuts inside the frame, but doing it this way shouldn't effect those welds too much if you take some time with it.   Good luck & the progress is looking good.

[ShelbyDogg]

Still thinking how to solve the problem with the holes for the bumperbrackets that are welded together, any thoughts? Cut out a piece of the framerail and weld in a new one with nuts on the inside?

If it us just the front bolt, this is what I did. I cut open the end of the rail on the front. I drilled out the spot welds that held the backing nut on and pulled it out of the front.  Held another nut in position by bolting a bolt to the outside. Reached in with my mig welder and welded the nut to the frame.  If it was the rear bolt I would weld a nut to a piece of coat hanger to get it into position, then weld it through the previously dlilled out spot welds.

I'm glad my car is waaaaaay beyond where you are right now. I remember those long days of welding. I'm ready for my long days of bodywork.

[ShelbyDogg]

Just read street Challenged suggestion and looked at your pics again.  I would do as he suggested and start with a small bit then drill up to the final size. Sometimes the heat of the bit will break the remaining piece loose and give you threads back. 

When I had to cut my frame open it was because the nut's weld was broken and not allowing me to tighten or loosen the bracket bolts.

[LAA66]

 As a last resort, would drilling the frame a larger size and welding a sleave for a thru bolt work? Can't really see if there might be obstructions on the wayside though.

[Belgium Cuda]

Got a little bit close to sandblasting after spending 3 days tearing front and rear suspension dow. Most nuts broke off in therear but that doesn't matter since the only thing I will reuse is the rear axle. the front took most of the time, I think that car never had new bushings because everything was so bad and rusty. It took me about 2 hours a pice for the K-framebolts, a wrench with a 40" bar to get some power but at the same time not brake them off. still have a bolt to the UCA I don't get loose. hopefull next week I can fix the threads for the bumperbracket so my supportwheels can go on and the finally off to sandblasting.

Per