Like Scott, I got the radiator support powder coated in an aluminum color. Since it is aluminum, I thought it would be cool. We'll see when the car is done.
BUILD THREAD 81 Buick/Olds Turbo Wagon 02/15/2024 More Parts!
- Thread starter liquidh8
- Start date
Thanks Jack! I managed to modify the drivers side fender. I think I tried to explain it in an earlier post, but the drivers side fender was wider at the top than the passenger, making the hood gap tight. I have been doing A and G bodies for 25 years, and the doors and passenger fender, and the front end were spot on. After taking a machinist rule to the top, I found it was wider. Gotta love GM.
In any case, I slit the top of the fender, and took a slither out of it, then welded it all back together. This gave me a perfect hood gap, and allowed the skin of the fender to line up with the door perfectly.
In any case, I slit the top of the fender, and took a slither out of it, then welded it all back together. This gave me a perfect hood gap, and allowed the skin of the fender to line up with the door perfectly.
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Figured I'd try a thread Title change, since the car now has and Olds front end, with a Buick body, or should I say a Buick Title. See if I can get some more Olds members to check out the thread.
So you actually had to narrow the top of the fender to be able to align the hood/ fender gap...what a pain in the *ss. You're a real trooper and persevere..I've always known that about you. 
I assume that the sliver that you removed was equal to the thickness of a cutoff wheel.
I assume that the sliver that you removed was equal to the thickness of a cutoff wheel.
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That's correct Jack. The top of the fenders weren't the same dimensions.So when i pushed the fender in to align with the door skin, it would close the gap with the hood.
The slither was just that too, the thickness of a cut off wheel.
I am in Shippensburg PA (near Carlisle) this weekend. Doing metal work on a Cuda, also for my cousin's surprise 40th birthday. So no work on the wagon.
The slither was just that too, the thickness of a cut off wheel.
I am in Shippensburg PA (near Carlisle) this weekend. Doing metal work on a Cuda, also for my cousin's surprise 40th birthday. So no work on the wagon.
Not a whole lot of anything. Over the holidays I did a bunch of metal work with my cousin on his 69 cuda. Then relaxed on Monday, then yard work, I hate that sh*t. I also had 3 tree's taken down. I hope to finish up the front bumper over the weekend so more pics soon.
I did get more work on the front bumper done over the weekend, it's close to done now. I'll snap some pictures tonight or tomorrow. Getting the sides exactly how I wanted them has been a chore, but should be worth it in the end.
If I was smart, I'd pull a mold after bodywork is done to it so I can make one out of fiberglass.
If I was smart, I'd pull a mold after bodywork is done to it so I can make one out of fiberglass.
Jim,
I'm sure it's looking really good. I know the amount of work you could put into a bumper. I think your bumper work was more involved than mine.
On my bumpers, I had to add metal here and there because I didn't like some of the gaps.
I did not have to graft pieces of other bumpers onto my front. The rear had some lower rust that I had to cut out and weld a patch into.
Molding a bumper out of fiberglass is not a bad idea. I like it.
I'm sure it's looking really good. I know the amount of work you could put into a bumper. I think your bumper work was more involved than mine.
On my bumpers, I had to add metal here and there because I didn't like some of the gaps.
I did not have to graft pieces of other bumpers onto my front. The rear had some lower rust that I had to cut out and weld a patch into.
Molding a bumper out of fiberglass is not a bad idea. I like it.
Jack, that was the thing too. The Buick and Olds bumper sides don't even remotely follow the same lines as the fender. So I ended up using some of the Olds and Buick bumpers for the curves, and added the same gauge steel as the bumper for the rest. There has been a lot of welding and grinding to get it where I like it.
After paint, or maybe before, I am REALLY considering making the mold for a fiberglass one.
The rear bumper I hope will be a bit easier.
The tailgate has some tears in the sheetmetal by the hinges I have to repair, then off to my buddies for the remainder of the bodywork and paint. It is now June1st, so I am giving myself about 2 weeks or so to get it there.
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