Started the Hemi project

[Belgium R/T -68]

While waiting for the dashboard to get ready at the sandblaster (it's 3 weeks now ) I started tearing down the challenger.
From an accident in the past, covered up rather good, I have some issues in the front to take care of so ones the car is stripped,
away it goes for measuring of the frame. Otherwise it looks rather good so far concerning rust. Anybody knows what the number 9
could mean on the inner wheelhouse?

Per

[LoneStar Mopar]

This should be a fun project to watch.  I love Challengers!

[mopar_nut_440_6]

Looks like that may be a G!

[tan top]

intresting project  going on there  

ask over on www.moparts.com  ,  remember reading years in a mopar mag years ago about e bodys  having a words or a  guys name written  in the car somewhere as the car was being built ,  one of the most comon  was the word  Rock   

[Belgium R/T -68]

Starting to find funny things I guess when they converted the car to floorshift AMD didn't repop the brackets yet.
Screws and glue.

Per

[Belgium R/T -68]

Thought of telling a little bit about the accident I mentoned earlier. The car have had an accident in the past on the driversside front. You can
see that the radiatorsupport and innerfender is pretty good beaten up. Also there is a door and fender from another car not to talk about that
the front bumperbrackets are welded to the framerail. What was really causing one to react was the door-fendergap which is not adjustable.
I have had some contacts with "Daytona" Brian to get some ideas as where to start and a framecheck for straightness is first in row.
I plan to change both innerfenders, complete radiatorsupport and propably extend the door to handle the accident part. There is only one small problem, I can't weld.

Per

[Belgium R/T -68]

Some moore.

Per

[Charger440RDN]

Are you gonna repaint it plum crazy purple? Very good color  . Looks like a solid car to start with, good luck.

[mopar73]

good luck with your prodject

[rt green]

maybe G stands for good. passed inspection?

[Belgium R/T -68]

Are you gonna repaint it plum crazy purple? Very good color  . Looks like a solid car to start with, good luck.

Yes, I will paint it Plum crazy. The only thing except the problem with the front is an old repair on the rear passenger quarter.
At least 1/2" filler over some kind of patch.

Per

[Belgium R/T -68]

Getting closer to be able to take it to the sandblaster, the PITA moldings around the windshieldframe finaaly got of after a very careful
"surgery". It was tons of sticky plastic s**t under those ones. Notice the holes after the selfmade slapstick/consoleinstallation.

Per

[chargerhunter]

 

[Belgium R/T -68]

Everything inside is now removed. just found a surprise at the innerpanel where the Q-window is on the passengerside, they seems
to have extended the panel towards the dooropening. Will wait with hooking of the doors untill I have welded in some supportbeams.
Now just the underside and off it goes for sandblasting.

Per

[Charger440RDN]

That floor looks solid to me, you may have replace the driver side foot pan area but there is no way the whole floor needs replacing. 

[PocketThunder]

This reminds me of the movie Office Space...  "Dude, 2 chicks projects at the same time"   

[Belgium R/T -68]

This reminds me of the movie Office Space...  "Dude, 2 chicks projects at the same time"   

In fact I'm only doing a quick tear down to be able to make an estimation what this project will cost me. I'm still suffering from
all the miscalculations I did with the chargerproject.

Per

[Belgium R/T -68]

Finally went over to the customs after my AMD skid. Hopefully that will shoot some energy and motivation into this project because the winter definetly killed
all of that. Shakerhood, innerfenders, radiatorsupportassy, full floorpan, rear fllorpans, trunkfloor, rear right quarter patchpanel and a lot of small stuff.
Got to get the car over to the sandblaster so the welding can start, better ask Brian to come over for a week.

Per

[Silver R/T]

Good project

[NorwayCharger]

New parts is always fun  

[tan top]

  christmas come early !!  or late  
   

[Silver R/T]

New parts is always fun 

Ya, it's like Christmas all over again

[maxwellwedge]

intresting project  going on there  

ask over on www.moparts.com  ,  remember reading years in a mopar mag years ago about e bodys  having a words or a  guys name written  in the car somewhere as the car was being built ,  one of the most comon  was the word  Rock   

I have had quite a few cars with "Rock" and one with Rock and "ALI" on the other side. Gonna find my pics!

[Belgium R/T -68]

Problem is that I still havn't learned how to weld.

Per

[Belgium R/T -68]

Started with some bodywork for the first time in my life. Innerfender and radiatorsupport has to go before I take
it for sandblasting. Found that using the grinder to remove the most of the panel first makes it easier to cut the spotwelds out,
less panel to bend. Does it make any sence? I do consider keeping the floor in the car when taking to the blastershop although I will weld some bars into the dooropenings, I'm just to afraid of bodyflex during transport etc. If I take the trunkfloor out before then it
isn't that much extra blasting and it will be easier to find the spotwelds on the floor.

Per

[mikepmcs]

so... do you mean you are grinding the metal to barely thin so it's easier to get through spot welds.  it's ok if you aren't going to reuse the panel but I'd be cautious to grinding the metal too thin.  you need a spot weld cutter and a drill bit.

The double ended cutter will be your cheapest route most likely. 

http://www.blairequipment.com/Spotweld_Cutters/Spotweld_Cutters.html

The car is the right color for sure. 

[Belgium R/T -68]

No, No. Sorry for my bad explaining. I mean cut of the panel with the machine, the round cutwheels. I thought that was a grinder.

Per

[LoneStar Mopar]

You mean your using cut off wheels?

[mikepmcs]

cool.  the pictures explain it all.  looks like fun!!

[mopar73]

Per, you are an ambitious man.  This car should be fun to watch being built

[Belgium R/T -68]

Continued with getting the innerfenders off completly, start to get the hang of it how to drill out spotwelds. Went over
to removing seamsealer but that's really a PITA work, just like old chewinggum someone stepped on. Still also need help to figure
out how to do with the holes for the bumperbracket which are welded by the previous owner. Cutting a piece of the framerail out and weld a new one in with nuts on the inside?

Per

[Cooter]

The front frame rail just looks like the typical "Bolts broke off" problem...You COULD try heatin' the area with a torch and cutting a small access hole and try and remove (Turn) the bolts out.....

[Belgium R/T -68]

The front frame rail just looks like the typical "Bolts broke off" problem...You COULD try heatin' the area with a torch and cutting a small access hole and try and remove (Turn) the bolts out.....

Good idea Cooter Will also try to get the weld/brooken bolt straight so I can use a drillbit.

Per

[Belgium R/T -68]

I must say I admire all of you working with old cars for a living. Been busy several days just tearing down front and rear suspension of this 40 year old b***h and it was painful every moment. K-memberbolts that didn't move, nuts that broke off and my
hands looking like I had been fighting with a cactus. Advantage was that I didn't have to be so careful because most of the parts are scrap/will be replaced anyway. One interesting thing was the rearaxle, it's a 8 3/4 with -489 member and 3.91 gears and that for a car with a 318/904. Looks original but I doubt that was an option?

Per

[Belgium R/T -68]

Final work before it's headed to the sandblastershop. Cut out the broken nuts for the bumperbrackets and welded in new ones, welded in bars in the dooropenings for transport and removed the rubber-glue-silicone POS in the windshieldframe. Really
terrible work with a small knife but it was nice to see there wasn't any rust under.

Per

[Darkman]

Starting another project so soon after one is finished. Well done 

My question though, is it necessary for the body bracing if it is a factory convertible? Shouldn't the frame already be reinforced to stop the body from flexing? Better to be safe than sorry I guess.

Can't wait to see the progress of this build!

[tan top]

got some work going on there again     keep the pictures coming 

[Belgium R/T -68]

Starting another project so soon after one is finished. Well done 

My question though, is it necessary for the body bracing if it is a factory convertible? Shouldn't the frame already be reinforced to stop the body from flexing? Better to be safe than sorry I guess.

Can't wait to see the progress of this build!

I do it first of all because that the sandblaster will lift it up with a forklift, secondly when the floor goes out it will weaken even more
and then I will add some crossbars.

Per

[Belgium R/T -68]

Finally on the way to the sandblaster, have to make sure I have work for the upcoming summervacation.
See the patch on the rear quarter, is that normal to fill it up with 1" of filler like that?

Per

[69*F5*SE]

Wow, that's a thick coat of filler.     Ted

[Belgium R/T -68]

Finally I could pick up the challenger Really good work performed, blasting, some
product/treatment called "metalliseren" in dutch and zinkprimer. I will come back with pics from
the bad parts.

Per

[Belgium R/T -68]

Actually I'm positivly surprised about the amount of rust. Especially happy am I that the windshieldframe and the rear part where the convertible top attaches are fresh. Now, I have all the floorboards but do I need to replace all of it or just patch some areas? The full floorpan I will
replace but the rest? The framerails and cowlarea is also very good. What would you do?

Per

[Belgium R/T -68]

Some more.

[Belgium R/T -68]

Last 2.

[Belgium R/T -68]

I guess it beeing a convertible that it would be better for the stability to replace full panels or?

Per

[Belgium R/T -68]

Any suggestions or thoughts?

Per

[Charger-Bodie]

Myself I would replace the floors. Get some of the other stucture work done first though. Keep it in sections so it stays as true as posible at each stage.

Have you take it to a frame shop to check out the rails and other control points?

[Belgium R/T -68]

Myself I would replace the floors. Get some of the other stucture work done first though. Keep it in sections so it stays as true as posible at each stage.

Have you take it to a frame shop to check out the rails and other control points?

Yes Brian, it has been meassured in a correct device. Sounds only reasonable to replace all
floorpans since I have them.

I suppose I begin with innerfenders and radiatorsupport or?

Per

[Charger-Bodie]

Myself I would replace the floors. Get some of the other stucture work done first though. Keep it in sections so it stays as true as posible at each stage.

Have you take it to a frame shop to check out the rails and other control points?

Yes Brian, it has been meassured in a correct device. Sounds only reasonable to replace all
floorpans since I have them.

I suppose I begin with innerfenders and radiatorsupport or?

Per

I would put it back on the floor and support and leval it for all of those parts. I never do any structure work on a rotisserie.

[Belgium R/T -68]

Do you mean weld in more supportbars because I guess I need to put it in the rotesserie to be able to reach the underside?

Per

[Belgium R/T -68]

What does Brian mean with structure work?

Per

[b5blue]

He means parts of uni-body that form and function as frame parts, have body mounted in a way that supports it to replace floor boards to retain factory shape. Then add bracing before going to rotary mounting.    Very good work Per!! 

[Belgium R/T -68]

Does that include welding on the subframe connectors while it's still on the ground?

Per

[b5blue]

Good question.  Mustang convertibles had extra plates added to floor boards, do Challengers?

[Belgium R/T -68]

Continued today to clean the quarters from paint and tons of bondo/filler. Was I in for a surprise I really start to think I'm in over my head here not having any experience with bodywork. Propably this car had a serious accident somewhere in time considering the very
"proffesional" patching with pop rivets. Question is, will quarterskins from a 2dr fit
a convertible? I don't see any other chance to fix this or? It will soon be cheaper to pay someone
of you bodyguys to come over and help me then to leave this car to a bodyshop.

Per

[Charger-Bodie]

Wow ,Thats a shame Per.

[Belgium R/T -68]

Got a link to a thread on Moparts regarding quarters for challenger verts, evidently a guy
making conversionkits for E-bodys makes convertible quarters out of the repops for the hardtops.
Another option is to use the skins but that will not cover the mess on the top of the passide.
Secondly, I assume replacing a quarterpanel needs some kind of skills or? Isn't it rather important
to get it good for the dooralignment etc? Leaving it to a bodyshop used to Fiats and Volvos doesn't
give me such a good feeling. I also now see that I ordered sheetmetal way to early.
With quarters off I can replace the complete trunkfloor and not the 2 halfes I ordered etc.
Good advices are welcome, really feel depressed now.

Per

[Belgium R/T -68]

Some more pics from driverside, dutchman and underside. Besides some rutten parts the drivers quarter looks OK on the top side, the dutchman looks very good but the trunkfloor extensions has to go. I also starts to think about new outer whellhouses. Damn, it will soon be no more original
sheetmetal on that car.

Per

[Belgium R/T -68]

Last ones.

[Belgium R/T -68]

Started to assemble the frontpanels and was very happy untill I realised that I chopped one
of the brackets I didn't order that btw isn't available.
Anyway, the fitting of the AMD stuff is just amazing. A welder could fix this in notime.
Just a little bit scared on how you are sure that you have a nice square, with a meter?

Per

[b5blue]

Can you use the hood as a checking gauge?  Tack it in a few spots here and there and hang parts for fitting?

[NorwayCharger]

Check the underbody measurements first, then the upper diagonals.
We use something like this http://www.merlinlazer.com/Telescopic-Measuring-Poles

[Belgium R/T -68]

Check the underbody measurements first, then the upper diagonals.
We use something like this http://www.merlinlazer.com/Telescopic-Measuring-Poles

Thanks.

Per

[Belgium R/T -68]

I was sure I had ordered this supportbracket, from cowl to shocktower and since it was a little bit misformed already I was kind of violent when removing it. Now it seems that AMD don't carry them
so I guess I have to fix it somehow. What function does it have and does it has to be 100% correct?

Per

[yeahitsgotahemi!]

Wow, cool car, a challenger vert! Sorry to hear about the ugly patch work. If it helps, I think your off to a great start, and I'm sure things will work out fine if you keep at it. Keep the progress pictures coming!  It's looking great.

[Belgium R/T -68]

Motivation for this project has been nill, zero, nothing during this cold winter. the only things I've done is ordering all remaining sheetmetalparts from Stefan at elitecustombody ( ) , ordered my 482 Hemistrokerparts from Tim@FHO so that I can start build the Hemi this summer.
Also sent my doorhinges to SMS restoration for rebuild and I'm very happy with their service, work and prices. Biggest news and joy regarding this project is though that Mike aka "lilwendal" is coming over helping me with the bodywork at the end of mei before he continues his european holiday.

Per

[Troy]

I didn't know Mike was making house calls? That should certainly boost your motivation!

Troy

[Belgium R/T -68]

Big disapointment when I heard from Koen that Mike isn't coming, just lost 6 months waiting for nothing there. Found a good welder in the neighbourhood so I got the new front welded
together, next thing is the full floorpan incl the rear pans.

Per

[Belgium R/T -68]

Been busy this weekend with cutting and drilling out the floorpans but how can I get the spotwelds out in the front corners? The only way I see is to drill them out from the enginebayside  Those "boxes" are in the way, alternativly weld the new pan over the old edge? What about inside the frames, clean and primer or some special product? 
The rear pans were really a PITA because they were welded in the torqueboxes and that wasn't spotwelds.

Per

[six-tee-nine]

What about inside the frames, clean and primer or some special product? 

Brian recomended me a copper weld thru primer from roberlo..... its from spain and easily available locally. Type "Roberlo producten" in google, then select all the belgian pages and pick the closest shop to home...

Good luck.

[Belgium R/T -68]

Thanks Koen.

Per

[Belgium R/T -68]

Have cleaned the frames and all the rest and primed with rustprimer so now the new floorpans can go in.
Yesterday I went to the customs and picked up the parts for the 482 Hemi and some sheetmetal, this project starts to look a little bit more funny now.

Per

[Belgium R/T -68]

Have removed the trunkfloor and prepped for the new one but now I'm kind of stucked due to lack of fenders. I need them before the quarterskins and the rest of the rear can be fixed. AMD has promised there's to be released next month for 2 years now. What to do, go for Goodmark although all the rest of my sheetmetal incl shakerhood is AMD?

Per