What holes should I fill on inner fenders 73 to AAR pro

What holes should I fill on inner fenders 73 to AAR pro - 05/21/08 08:29 PM

I am converting our 73 into an AAR clone as a wedding gift for my son. I want the inner fenders/ firewall to be clean. Any advice on what holes should be filled? I used a patch panel from what I beleive was a '72 to get rid of a couple holes the '73 had on the cowl. The donor part has a welded in nut which I left as I figure I might use the nut to attach an MSD box. Here are some pictures:

So far I have installed replacement front frame rails, one new inner fender, floor and truck pans, tail panel, and rear qtr. patch panels with the proper tail light holes. I am looking forward to getting the body in primer and then working on the front fenders.

Posted By: BarrsRestoration

Re: What holes should I fill on inner fenders 73 to AAR pro - 05/21/08 10:17 PM

Nice looking work! (Don't forget about the antenna hole being moved to the rt. 1/4.)

Posted By: anlauto

Re: What holes should I fill on inner fenders 73 to AAR pro - 05/21/08 10:21 PM

There's lots of little differences in the inner fenders. The fuel vent line notch on the PS and the battery hold down bump/nut on the DS are the two major ones.
Why did you add frame connectors? Is this some type of race car?

Posted By: screamindriver

Re: What holes should I fill on inner fenders 73 to AAR pro - 05/21/08 11:39 PM

Hi Don,

Don't forget to add your holes/nuts for the horns...

Posted By: 73cudaproject

Re: What holes should I fill on inner fenders 73 to AAR pro - 05/22/08 02:39 AM

Quote:

Nice looking work! (Don't forget about the antenna hole being moved to the rt. 1/4.)

Yes I need to figure out that location. I know were an AAR is parked in Tulsa; so I need to get details from that car unless someone has a template.

Posted By: 73cudaproject

Re: What holes should I fill on inner fenders 73 to AAR pro - 05/22/08 02:47 AM

Quote:

There's lots of little differences in the inner fenders. The fuel vent line notch on the PS and the battery hold down bump/nut on the DS are the two major ones.
Why did you add frame connectors? Is this some type of race car?

I am not trying for absolute perfection. I guess I really just want it to look clean when finally completed. I think there are several holes on the divers side which were for the AC which I will no longer use.

The car is not really going to be a race car. In fact I think the sub-frame connectors are going to create a problem with the AAR type exhaust. My son just wants the look of an AAR. I might get some oval type pipe for clearance under the sub-frame connectors.

Posted By: 73cudaproject

Re: What holes should I fill on inner fenders 73 to AAR pro - 05/22/08 02:54 AM

For anybody wondering what the horizontal weld is doing on the right rear qtr upper patch panel, due to a huge heat warp I first tried a horizontal cut to relief the warp. I ended up having to also basically cut the vertical weld to relieve the warp and then re-weld the cuts. Believe me I did not get in a hurry the second time and the extra work was worth the effort.

Posted By: 6bblgt

Re: What holes should I fill on inner fenders 73 to AAR pro - 05/22/08 04:30 AM

Quote:

The car is not really going to be a race car. In fact I think the sub-frame connectors are going to create a problem with the AAR type exhaust. My son just wants the look of an AAR. I might get some oval type pipe for clearance under the sub-frame connectors.

Why not figure where the exhaust interference is now and relieve the frame connectors in that area?

Posted By: 73cudaproject

Re: What holes should I fill on inner fenders 73 to AAR pro - 05/22/08 01:43 PM

Quote:

Quote:

The car is not really going to be a race car. In fact I think the sub-frame connectors are going to create a problem with the AAR type exhaust. My son just wants the look of an AAR. I might get some oval type pipe for clearance under the sub-frame connectors.

Why not figure where the exhaust interference is now and relieve the frame connectors in that area?

Before priming the body I have been considering purchasing the mufflers, hangers, side exhaust, etc. for test fitting and more than likely notching the connectors and then welding in half sleeves in the connectors for the side exit pipes. I think my son has found some SpinTech mufflers with 3" in and out on the same side that he wants to use. While I say this is going to be an AAR clone we are planning to build a 408 for it. I think 3" exhaust is overkill but I am building it for him. I'll post pictures of what I come up with in about a month...