Removable front sheet metal

[mopowers]

I finally got some work done on my junky 66 this weekend.  I'm borrowing an idea I saw at a race earlier this year and I'm making the fenders and bumper removable as a unit.  It's not completely done yet, but you can see what the idea is anyway.  The frame is made with 3/4" tubing.  The frame is welded to the bumper brackets.  The bumper bracket holes are notched so they slide on the bolts.  Then, to attach the back of the fenders, I use the factory bolts at the bottom.  There will also be a piece of 1" tubing welded at the firewall to act a reciever hitch for the frame to slide in, with a bolt through it. 

I also plan on filling the sides where the headlights are with sheet metal, so the only air going through the front is moving through the radiator.  I'm sort of wingin it, but so far, everything is lining up very well.  Can anyone think of any other ideas I could do with it?

[Arillious]

seems like a great idea so far, but doesn't the bumper brackets and brace stuff add a bit of weight? maybe some how you could get rid of the brackets and brace and just use the bumper skin? know what i mean?

[mopowers]

seems like a great idea so far, but doesn't the bumper brackets and brace stuff add a bit of weight? maybe some how you could get rid of the brackets and brace and just use the bumper skin? know what i mean?

I actually thought of ditching the outer bumper brackets.  I'm having everything attach to the inner one so I could possibly take the outer one out.  I'm not sure if it'll save much weight.  This thing's probably going to be a beast when I weigh it anyway.  The damn dana 60 weighs a friggin ton with it's 5/16" tubes.

[signet]

looks good so far.

just minor stuff left like the rad support and a quick disconnect plug for the electrical ect.

i went gung-ho on the Signet

http://www.bigblockdart.com/photopost/showphoto.php?photo=3275&cat=500&ppuser=1817


take care.

[68dodge]

Nice job to both of you. That is a really cool way of removing the front for more room to work.

[mopowers]

looks good so far.

just minor stuff left like the rad support and a quick disconnect plug for the electrical ect.

i went gung-ho on the Signet

http://www.bigblockdart.com/photopost/showphoto.php?photo=3275&cat=500&ppuser=1817


take care.

I planned on mounting the radiator totally separate from the front end.  And thanks for reminding me of the electrical.  My dumbass would have forgotten all about it.

 

BTW:  I like the way yours works.  Nice job.

[70 Dustpan]

Did you see mine on the Duster when you were out here Evan? My fenders and the core support all come off in one piece and the radiator is mounted to the car as is the bumper.

[mopowers]

Did you see mine on the Duster when you were out here Evan? My fenders and the core support all come off in one piece and the radiator is mounted to the car as is the bumper.

No, I haven't seen the Duster yet.  I'll let oyu know next time I come out that way.  Do you have any pictures of it?

[mopowers]

Okay, so I need some opinions.  I'm almost done with the front end.  Here are the updated pictures.







My question is:  Should I put sheet metal on the sides?  I screwed on on the drivers side for comparison purposes.  I thought it would keep crap out of the engine bay.  The opening in the middle is the same as the opening in my radiator.  Or do you guys think it will create to much drag? 

I think putting the sheet metal on the sides will look a lot nicer when everything's painted black and bolted back together.  What does everyone think?

[That One Guy]

I am thinkin that will be a whole lot of drag...

[68_Val_Sedan]

the metal will look better and force air through the radiator instead of letting it go around it ... to much air in the front will also make the hood want to ballon up ...

[mopowers]

I am thinkin that will be a whole lot of drag...

That's what I thought too, but thats basically the way it is in stock form.  So it shouldn't be any worse than stock, right?. 

[b569rr]

the metal will look better and force air through the radiator instead of letting it go around it ... to much air in the front will also make the hood want to ballon up ...

 

Plus the sheets will add structural support to the framework.

[mopowers]

the metal will look better and force air through the radiator instead of letting it go around it ... to much air in the front will also make the hood want to ballon up ...

 

Plus the sheets will add structural support to the framework.

That's what I figured.  IT's too bad I can't fit a victor manifold under my hood, or else I could add some nifty ram air inlets in those side pieces.

[mopowers]

Just thought I'd post an update.  I've been busy helping my dad w/ a patio on the weekends, so I haven't got much done lately.  The front clip is done though.



BELOW: I had to replace the strip of sheet metal on the fender where it bolts to the fender.  On the original one, I didn't leave myself enough room for adjustment for making the gaps perfect.



In this one, you can almost see the 'receiver' welded to the firewall.



I also put in a little relief for the stock safety latch to grab.  The stock latch works perfectly.



Gaps:







I forgot to snap a shop of the one-piece shell off of the car.  The whole thing comes off by unbolting the bumper bolts, bottom fender bolts (at the rocker) and the 2 receiver hitches at the firewall.  I'll get a picture of it off the car next week when I start mounting the motor and trans.  Stay tuned...

[signet]

looks good,nice and straight.