1968 Plymouth GTX

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PostPosted: Fri Apr 07, 2023 8:52 pm
Decided to work on the underside of the car.

I should have media blasted it but thought I would tackle it with stripping discs instead. A very nasty, dirty job that took a lot longer to get done.

Two coats of black epoxy primer:

Underside.JPG


Underside 1.JPG


Still considering installing some frame stiffeners.

I will install the doors and front fenders to check gaps and fit before going any further with the block sanding.
1968 Coronet R/T


ACTS 16:31

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PostPosted: Sat Apr 08, 2023 9:52 am
Looks great!
Rob

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PostPosted: Sat Apr 08, 2023 9:19 pm
Thanks.
I dug the front fenders out of the shed and installed them today. Next I will get the doors put in so I have a better idea of the work left to be done before I can start painting.

Right Test Fit.JPG


Left Test Fit.JPG
1968 Coronet R/T


ACTS 16:31

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PostPosted: Mon Apr 10, 2023 9:12 pm
'68 Coronet R/T wrote:Still considering installing some frame stiffeners.

I bought the US Car Tool sub frame connectors because they have that factory appearance to them the way they blend in with the factory frame rails. Their torque boxes help a lot too.

http://store.uscartool.com/Level-1-Chas ... p_125.html

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PostPosted: Mon Apr 10, 2023 9:50 pm
Got the doors mounted today, so I could check the fit.

Test Fit Body Lines.JPG


Test Fit Body Lines.JPG


The driver's door lower rear corner area is going to need some work. It appears to be the body metal rather than the door but I will need to do some serious evaluation before making any decisions.

Test Fit Lower Rear Corner.JPG


Here's the passenger side for comparison:
Test Fit Rear Corner.JPG
1968 Coronet R/T


ACTS 16:31

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PostPosted: Mon Apr 10, 2023 9:51 pm
69cuda340s wrote:
'68 Coronet R/T wrote:Still considering installing some frame stiffeners.

I bought the US Car Tool sub frame connectors because they have that factory appearance to them the way they blend in with the factory frame rails. Their torque boxes help a lot too.

http://store.uscartool.com/Level-1-Chas ... p_125.html


Yes, that is the one I am looking at. It was recommended on the For B-bodies website as well.
1968 Coronet R/T


ACTS 16:31

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PostPosted: Tue Apr 11, 2023 12:49 pm
I agree, it's the door jamb that seems off. It'll take a bit of work to correct but well worth it I think.
Rob

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PostPosted: Wed Apr 12, 2023 6:59 pm
Took the car off the rotisserie and put it on jack stands. I didn't see any major changes in the door and panel gaps. Happy with that.

The car had front end damage when I got it:
Front damage.jpg


Notice how the lower panel is pushed up into the grill area. It took quite a bit of hammer and dolly work, twisting and bending to finally get it to fit somewhat decent:
Grill Assembly.JPG


Still lots of work to be done on the grill, surround and lower panel. I ordered a hardware kit from AMD because so many of the clip nuts and screws were missing.

Played around with the door hinges until I got the gaps pretty even and the body lines in position.

Passenger door front gap:
Passenger Door Front gap 1.JPG


Passenger rear gap:
Passenger Door Rear Gap 1.JPG


The hidden bold on the driver's fender is going to need a shim to raise it up level with the cowl panel.

Driver door front gap:
Driver Door Front Gap 1.JPG


I was able to move the bottom hinge forward enough to get the top body lines at the rear of the door to match up. Gap is still a bit larger at the top:
Driver Door Rear Gap 1.JPG


Planning to install the hood as well to test the fit.
1968 Coronet R/T


ACTS 16:31

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PostPosted: Thu Apr 13, 2023 9:48 pm
Everything seems to fit quite well:

Hood.JPG


Hood to Cowl Gap.JPG


Now to get it all ready for paint.
1968 Coronet R/T


ACTS 16:31

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PostPosted: Thu Apr 13, 2023 9:52 pm
Body looks great! Closing in on that ready to paint!
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