A New 68 Build Thread

[ccracin]

Originally Posted by Xeen

Glad to see some progress being made even if it is only once a month.
Do you think you might find a little more time in the ole schedule to work on it?

Well, I am always looking for more time. But, with 9 year old twins that are involved in alot it is tough. A couple activities just ended so we will see. Summer is tough get time for the shop.

[knomadd]

Wow, I'm impressed. You've done a lot of nice work on this one. I'll be following along now.

[ccracin]

Progress has been made although very little. Does anyone make a tool to put more hours in the day? Anyway, we now have the PRC radiator mounted along with the PRC A/C condenser. We are trying to get the main items mounted so that we can work on the under hood sheet metal close out panels.







Onward!

[ccracin]

I almost forgot, look what I found on my local Craigslist.



What are the chances of finding a practically brand new Mastercool A/C hose crimper local? Love it!

[ccracin]

Now that we have that little gem above, this stuff will be easier to put in.



We'll get the evap mounted under the dash and locate the firewall bulkhead fittings. That will allow us to start the underhood sheet metal! Back in the saddle!

[ccracin]

All I can say is my head hurts. Glad we made the mock up to work this out on the bench. I hate welding up misplaced holes in a smooth firewall!

[knomadd]

That's a really cool idea.

[ccracin]

Originally Posted by knomadd

That's a really cool idea.

Thanks! It worked!

[ccracin]

My headache is a little better. I have to say this is one of the more challenging tasks so far. Fitting 4 hoses into such a tight spot was a challenge. I still have some work to do to figure out the assembly sequence. You see, there still isn't a dash in the thing yet. I guess this is as they say HOT RODDING! I'll let the pictures tell the story. Enjoy!



















As always, comments good and bad are welcome!

[jtp67-72]

I like it.....but that tightness got worse on mine...I think u saw i went into the vent box so i could hide under fender and then go up threw slosh tubes to side of core support and then bulkhead again behind headlite....I am still thinking about coming across to center of cab and bulkheading in tunnel area and then frame mounting to the front...we will see......looks good,,,,,,jim

[ccracin]

I almost did that too Jim. But, we decided to add some trim panels under the hood so we decided to do this since you won't see the lines anyway. I didn't want to have to take the inner fender out to get to the lines. I'm sure I'll find another speed bump as we go! Lol there are so many ways to skin these cats. Glad you're back at it. We may get done about the same time!

[ccracin]

While everyone and their brother it seems is getting ready for SEMA, I hit the garage and got some progress made. Time to start the under hood sheet metal. First up are the rad close out panels. Here is the prep work.





After that it was time to try the new brake out. Man is it nice. The clamping power is really unlike any other brake I have used. On some test pieces I could bend a 3/16" Flange on a 3/4" wide x 8" long piece of 16ga. You don't know how tough that is unless you have tried. Well, here is the result of the first go.







More to come, thanks for checking in!

[ccracin]

I just realized, I didn't post a pic of the new tool for the shop. This is a Baileigh Industrial Electro-Magnetic sheet metal brake. It is a bad a$$ piece of equipment. Can't wait to do more with it!

[downbytheriver]

I'm from trafford, so it's good to see some hometown boys doing something this nice!

[ccracin]

Originally Posted by downbytheriver

I'm from trafford, so it's good to see some hometown boys doing something this nice!

Thanks for the compliment!

[ccracin]

We got some more done this past week. So let's see if I can give you an idea of direction we are going. I made sample panels for my Dad to look at. Some with beads, some with the bead rolled recesses that are very popular now. In the end he likes simple, smooth and angular. So here is the direction he decided on. I already posted the Rad close out panels.





The next panel was the Radiator cover. So, some clicks on the keyboard and a detailed drawing along with a full size template were in order.





Center punch through the template and connect the dots. Cut on red and bend on blue!



All cut out!

[ccracin]

Then it was time to see how the new Baileigh Electromagnetic Brake worked. Wow, I love it! I'll let the pictures tell the story.















That would have taken a huge Box/Pan Brake to do.

[ccracin]

A few tack welds and some trimming and my Dad is a happy guy! So far so good!





As always comments are welcome. Good or Bad! Thanks for looking.

[nds1968]

Very nice work I like how that brake works Nate

[ccracin]

We made a bit more progress before the Christmas break! I appreciate all the kind words. My Dad seems happy and that's what counts. Right? It's taking more shape. You can finally see the overall look for the under hood coming together. Enjoy!









Again and as always, let me know what you think. Good or Bad!

[ajgriffin]

I think it looks great! Good symmetry and I like the way the angular design of your panels go with the fabricated firewall. Great job!

[72BlckButy]

Awesome work.

[FRENCHBLUE72]

Sheet metal work looks great.. That upper hose looks like it maybe a p.i.t.a. to get installed? What are you going to do about the radiator cap I hope you come up with something trick and not just a hole in that beautiful metal work? I sure that as with everything else on the build you will nail it..

[ccracin]

Originally Posted by FRENCHBLUE72

Sheet metal work looks great.. That upper hose looks like it maybe a p.i.t.a. to get installed? What are you going to do about the radiator cap I hope you come up with something trick and not just a hole in that beautiful metal work? I sure that as with everything else on the build you will nail it..

Thanks man. It is possible with the cover on, but hopefully I will only have to deal with it with the cover off. But in an emergency, it will go on and off with ok access to the clamp. I'm still deciding on the access to the rad. cap. I have a few ideas, we'll see what happens. Lol. Thanks again for the kind words!

[69CST-V]

Very nice fab work. Looks great.