71 rebuild

[bfit]

I have a molnar  two post  its a good  unit but not really suited for a C3 corvette
I have recently  purchased and Molnar  4 posters
in any case  a hoist makes life easy
Bfit

[wabco40]

I have a molnar  two post  its a good  unit but not really suited for a C3 corvette
I have recently  purchased and Molnar  4 posters
in any case  a hoist makes life easy
Bfit

I agree Bob, I didn't like the idea of the amount of chassis flex when lifting on a two poster.
If I need lift the wheels up on the four poster then I just use the jacking beam.

[Scott]

Good to hear.  I've been trying to align my bellhousing for the gearbox swap, so I've been under and out of the car 30-40 times as I couldn't get it right.  I decided I needed to get a hoist about two weeks ago, and the wife strangely said yes, so I've now ordered one and I should have it by late next week.  That should help immensely with slotting the new gearbox in.

[wabco40]

A bit more progress happening, slow going but I am not in any hurry.

The original bonding strips are cleaned up. I have removed the bottom section of the rear splash shield, I will bond it back in when the fender are bonded on.





Checking the fit of a bonding strip for the rear section. This is a 2" wide strip cut from the unused rear section of the new fenders.



The bonding areas of the new fenders need sanding.
As they are hand laid the thickness of the panels vary quite a bit. The original panels are 1/8" thick so I made up a thickness gauge and sanded the bonding areas of the new panels to this thickness. This way the new and original panels will be relatively even when fitted.







I am cutting it a bit fine for clearance. The pictures are of the rear lowered so its just on the bump stops.
I have trimmed the inner lip to clear the tyre, there's not much in it.
I am using my 9.5" rim with a 1.5" spacer to mimic an 11" rim to set it up. I'll see how it looks after both fenders are on and the 11" rims fitted. I still may have to machine the inner wheel hub a few mil to gain some more room.

[bfit]

Mate what is the overall width across the rear wheels
Bfit

[wabco40]

Mate what is the overall width across the rear wheels
Bfit

Hi Bob,

1830 mm from outside edge to outside edge of rear fenders.

[bfit]

Hi Bob,

1830 mm from outside edge to outside edge of rear fenders.

thanks mate
that's a big help saves me guessing at the overall width I can use with the Flares
Bfit

[wabco40]

Rear bonding strips glued in.





I am using Lord 127 to bond the new fenders on. I used it before to bond the front clip on.
Good stuff and easy to use, just fit a mixing nozzle and lay out a bead



I have masked off the glue lines and sprayed stone guard to the inside of the fenders. When there fitted I will touch up the masked areas.

[Jethro]

As we'd expect nothing but shear perfection Brad

[wabco40]

As we'd expect nothing but shear perfection Brad

Thanks Jethro

A bit of prep work now saves a lot of mucking around after there fitted.

[craigh]

Am enjoying the process Brad,  learning  a lot.

[wabco40]

Am enjoying the process Brad,  learning  a lot.

Thanks Craig 

I have bonded the left fender on this morning. I am back to work tomorrow for another seven days so I'll do the right side next week.

The fenders ready to bond on.



One last dry fit. The panel is temporary held in place with button head screws. The screws are tightened down just enough to get the panels and door rear sitting flush.



When I finish bonding both fenders on I will sand a bevel on the edges of the panels and fibreglass matt the seam and screw holes.







Bonding adhesive applied



and the fender fitted.

[wabco40]

Side views of the original and new fenders.

The original fenders have the wheel too far forward in the opening. The new fenders fit the wheel much better.
One of the reasons I spliced the new fender onto the existing rear fender section (instead of just replacing the whole fender) is because it allowed me to position the wheel opening a bit better.
I have positioned these fenders back slightly to even the gap around the wheel, hence the large door gap. This area will be built up with fibreglass and the door gaps re-cut.

[wabco40]

Both rear fenders are now bonded on.

I decided to use a resin/chopped strand mixture to fill the gap between the panels instead of glassing the seam with fibreglass matt. It as too much of a hassle to try get matt to lay in small gap.



A thin skim of filler over the rear seam area and then start sanding. Most of this will be sanded off.
I am just doing a section at a time, working from the back forward to the door.

[Sting 69]

Outstanding work. Great step by step pics and a very thorough guide for anyone attempting a similar modification. Can't wait to see the finished product.

[craigh]

What type of filler did you use Brad ?

[wabco40]

Outstanding work. Great step by step pics and a very thorough guide for anyone attempting a similar modification. Can't wait to see the finished product.

Thanks. These rear fenders are normally fitted to the factory bonding strips as a full quarter replacement, not sure if I saved much work by cutting the rear short and splicing them in though !!!
I was hoping to have them in primer by now but been held up with work.

[wabco40]

What type of filler did you use Brad ?

Hi Craig,
It 3m Platinum Plus body filler. Most of this has been sanded off and I then applied 3m Flowable Finishing Glaze. Again most of this was sanded off.
I still need to do work on the door gaps and I am also filling in the seams on the rear lower exhaust filler panel.
Once all that's done I'll shoot it with high fill primer, block sand again and re-shoot with primer.
I plan on leaving it for quite a few months to give it a chance to settle or shrink before blocking out again. That will give me a chance to strip and prep the rest of the car for paint.

[wabco40]

Looking a bit like a patchwork quilt at the moment. I have been using dry guide when sanding to get it as straight as possible before high fill.

I still need to remove some paint from around the exhaust filler panel seam area and bond/fill this in.

Back to work tomorrow for the Christmas period, so nothing happening till after that

Hope everyone has a great Christmas

[wabco40]

And now for something completely different, another Chev project in the shed!!!

I picked up this 28 Tourer from an old boy who had it sitting in his shed for many years. I guess you could call it a barn find!!!!

Its a complete car in reasonable condition. I plan on doing a frame off rebuild when the Vette is back on the road.