As some of you may remember I Posted a topic about chopping a 1948 Chevy Style Master well.. we didnt chop it.. not yet at least, but yesterday my brother decided to cut off about 2 inches to give it a nose job so the hood wont appear so big or look like snoopy when it is chopped ( as seen on these following photos) We have never done this before.. and we fear to admit that we ****ed up the hood of this 48', can anyone help us in finishing our job? [image]
I don't think it's as bad as you think.The cuts look a little wild, what did you use ? an axe Just kidding , they should be alright with a little cleanup. I think I would extend the cuts at the rear right to the back so the back of the hood doesn't buckle.With the two halves together see where the cut line needs to be trimmed for a good fit.you'll probably need to make some short radial cuts at the front of the hood at the bottom to bring the metal together to line up with the top.Try tacking it together and see how it looks...if it looks wrong , it's wrong! Remember there aren't too many mistakes that can't be fixed, just try it and see , I think you'll surprise yourself.
Hmmm... Ill seee [ QUOTE ] I don't think it's as bad as you think.The cuts look a little wild, what did you use ? an axe Just kidding , they should be alright with a little cleanup. I think I would extend the cuts at the rear right to the back so the back of the hood doesn't buckle.With the two halves together see where the cut line needs to be trimmed for a good fit.you'll probably need to make some short radial cuts at the front of the hood at the bottom to bring the metal together to line up with the top.Try tacking it together and see how it looks...if it looks wrong , it's wrong! Remember there aren't too many mistakes that can't be fixed, just try it and see , I think you'll surprise yourself. [/ QUOTE ]
You are just suffering from the "OH MY GOD, I'VE RUINED MY CAR!" syndrom. What you have done so far doesn't look bad, you just aren't finished yet. All of us that has taken a cutting instrument to a perfectly good set of wheels has had that moment of terror that comes when you reach the point of no return. You can do this, lots of folks here to help you through it.
thats what brother's are for, jump right in and show no fear, hahaha,looks fine ,just cut all the way back and do some relief cuts to make sure the hood by the cowl lays down right and tack it ,like the other hamb said ,see how you like it
ok....I'll be serious. First and foremost, don't get discouraged and give up. The only way to learn is to just keep fixing and learning from your efforts. Eventually it will get easier and tuen out nicer. I did not have a clue when I started my project either. Like Jethro says...you will need to continue the cut all the way back - BUT - before you do, you may want to temporarily tac those lower edges to the fenders to keep them registered. Then drop the top down and mark anything that overlaps - grind it off and just keep working to get a nice clean ****ed up edge. Panel clamps (from auto body supply store) will do wonders in the situation to help get the two panels lined up before you start tacking. Also, you need to get the paint off of that area before you start welding them together. Really, just do the very best you can do and keep trying to get better - PATIENCE and PERSERVERENCE will pay off. Keep in mind that it is rare metal that others would love to have and it is your duty to do a nice enough job that it will last into the future and not end up on a s**** pile. Have fun.
It don't look bad at all! Continue that cut and let the hood relax down. Might have to go around the hinges?...........OLDBEET
[ QUOTE ] That looks good...I'd move right ahead on into the chop! [/ QUOTE ] Oh that's funny, good thing I just returned from the little boys room. Demon, your just in the early steps of a multi step modification. Follow the advice already given, don't give up.
Ok.. First and foremost.. I hate it when guys say.. "Well you should have..." So I try not to post stuff like this... BUT I feel its important to make a few comments about your methods... kudos for showing your work thus far we can all learn for your progress to this point.. What youre doing, or trying to do, is certainly going to improve the looks of the car. But you kind of need to follow ONE major THEME with a modification like this. SYMMETRY is a pretty important thing. If I were to do a mod like this I would have measured (as you presumably did) and laid out a line with a sharpie to indicate where I intend to cut. Then I would cut with a "SAWZALL" (which is obviously my preferred weapon.) carefully along said line from front to rear. IF I were to cut the hood with anything else I would have ground the paint off first. And SCRIBED a line Parallel to the top of the fender line. Running forward to back. This is important. Because making the left and right side cuts symmetrical makes welding the hood symmetrically easier. My suggestion would be to re***ess your cuts before ANY tacking OCCURS. And when you go to chop the top. Be sure that you lay the left and right cuts the same. good luck Sawzall Jeff
What do you mean by laying the right and left?? [ QUOTE ] Ok.. First and foremost.. I hate it when guys say.. "Well you should have..." So I try not to post stuff like this... BUT I feel its important to make a few comments about your methods... kudos for showing your work thus far we can all learn for your progress to this point.. What youre doing, or trying to do, is certainly going to improve the looks of the car. But you kind of need to follow ONE major THEME with a modification like this. SYMMETRY is a pretty important thing. If I were to do a mod like this I would have measured (as you presumably did) and laid out a line with a sharpie to indicate where I intend to cut. Then I would cut with a "SAWZALL" (which is obviously my preferred weapon.) carefully along said line from front to rear. IF I were to cut the hood with anything else I would have ground the paint off first. And SCRIBED a line Parallel to the top of the fender line. Running forward to back. This is important. Because making the left and right side cuts symmetrical makes welding the hood symmetrically easier. My suggestion would be to re***ess your cuts before ANY tacking OCCURS. And when you go to chop the top. Be sure that you lay the left and right cuts the same. good luck Sawzall Jeff [/ QUOTE ]
been there done that...everyone thinks theyve screwed something up at one time or another.. looks good to me..now finish it up. i was told that there pretty much isnt anything that can be f'ed up that someone cant fix.. so cut away.. cant make a cake without breakin a few eggs..or legs..or something.. looks good though.. later
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