Projects 41 plymouth coupe 392 hemi build thread

Finished the right hand side sensor set up, after bending a rod and fine tuning it all.

Next was the driver's side. This only took me about 4 hours to do. Nearly half the time it took me to figure out and complete the passenger side.

All in all happy with the progress. Back to bodywork on monday.

 

I've accomplished way less in 6 hours.

 

Thank you for the encouraging words. Have a good weekend!

 

The car is looking GOOD!Ever think your in the wrong career?

 

Haha, that's funny, I was actually thinking about this last week. I think it would be great if I could make a living out of it (combined with flying), but the major problem is that there is a limited market here in Europe along with very stringent laws with regards to registration etc.... Maybe I should move to the U.S.?

 

move next door to me so I can borrow you for my plymouth. lol

 

You are my hero since you got rid of that 350

BTW...Bad ass '41 is BAD ASS!!!

 

Sure, no problem, I'm on my way. Hang on, I'll just tell the wife and kids...

 

Hey Eric you could move to Hawaii, I think I've seen those airplane things once or twice

 

Thanks Rusty46. For me, a Hemi was really the only option! No regrets!

 

hahaha. I'll be there tomorrow. ok?

 

Looking Good Man!

 

Thank you James, it's appreciated!

 

You are doing a great job, Eric. Sometimes it's better to just sit and think than it is to do, then re-do, then re-do. Everything just doesn't come easily. Ask me how I know.

 

Surfs up duuude! Half price MaiTai's, hangovers are free! See ya there.

 

You're completely right Rock. This is a lesson I learned a long time ago but sometimes forget.....I realise now that half the time you need to step back, think, re-think and then think about accomplishing the task at hand.

 

It's rocker panel time! Like I have stated before in this thread, I ordered a new set of rocker panels from the Plymouth Doctor. I was hoping for a test fit today, but ran into a few things.

First of all, it took me twice as long as anticipated to cut through the old spot welds. Second, I did not like the look of the inner panel, so this will be replaced as well. Now I do have an inner rocker from the Plym Doc, but considering the floor area near the rocker is not perfect, I'm going to fabricate something tomorrow to incorporate the two. Things always take longer than you think.....

 

Couple of more pics. The new rocker panel waiting to be installed. With a bit of luck, it will be welded in place by tomorrow night.

 

The initial plan was to install the inner and outer rockers on the drivers side, instead I attacked the right hand side first today.

I started with grinding out the old welds, and removed the outer rocker. Then cut around 3 floor mounts and remove the inner rocker panel. Considering the floor had some small rust, I decided to incorporate this in the inner rocker and clamped down the newly fabricated steel. More fine tuning required....the front part of the inner rocker had already been replaced when I did the floor.

 

But wait, there's more! After minor adjustments on the inner rocker, it is now welded in place and the usual grinding done.

Next was the outer rocker panel, ordered from the Plymouth Doctor. After a test fitting, we (Martin and I) found it did not follow the contour exactly. Especially the upper part, it came out half an higher above the floor in the center. We probably spent close to two hours reworking it before we had the desired shape. Then used the horizontal hydraulic jack between the a and b pillar to ensure no changes would occur during welding. Going to finish off the welding tomorrow.

 

I understand what you mean about the stance. That car is art on wheels!

 

Thank you for the kind words Kodibear333!

 

Eric, after seeing those rockers and laying your hands on them, do you think they are worth what they are asking for them? I'm still up in the air about getting them or fab up my own. Your rockers are cherry compared to mine,lol. Keep up the great work it's coming together nicely.

 

Shawn, you could certainly make your own rockers. Duplicating your original is a possibilty, if you can get the old one off in one piece. The difficulty in producing them is all the curves and converging lines, not impossible, but you must know what you're doing, or it will become a frustrating exercise.

Even the Plym Doc had difficulties in producing a copy of the original. His rocker panels are welded and not a stamped product. With the heat getting into them, it does funny things to the metal. Expect to "adjust" after receiving them. Especially the top horizontal and top vertical metal. This was out by more than half an inch.

So to answer your question, is it worth it. Probably. A very vague answer, I know. For me it was a time thing. Expect to be able to produce one in 5-6 hours I guess. If you get it right the first time, that is.

 

Looking good farmer....as usual!

 

Thanks Rob! Still following your chevy/bike thread as well. Love the bike! Time for you to get back in the garage and finish that thing on 4 wheels now!

 

Finished off the left hand rocker panel, after a bit of modification.

Next on the list was the lower cowl. I ordered the cowl repairs from the Plymouth Doctor, but there was no way they fit. I'm the last person to say it can't be done, but the shape was all wrong. Even the holes were in the wrong location.....These parts will be returned to sender.

Nothing else to do but make your own. My buddy Martin and I went ahead and fabricated them ourselves.

 

Looks good,you have done some great progress with the Plymouth.I've noticed that almost every patch you can buy needs some modification,so its easier to make them self.Specially the simplest ones.Keep it coming!

 

Continuing on from my last post, welded the cowl patch panel in place. Now underneath the front of the rocker panel still needed some attention. Martin and I incorporated this with the small piece between the door and cowl. Came out looking good and giving added strenth to the whole structure.

 

Thanks Finnrodder! Even though the rocker panels ended up working out ok, the delivered cowl repair panels were not up to scratch whatsoever. Another lesson learned I guess.