1966 Coronet 440 field find

[gdrill]

Ya it's big isn't it? lol. I have to try the door hinge again. I adjusted it out as far as I could but I possibly didn't loosen it enough to get the hinge free and fully relaxed. I have not been beat yet!

 

[Brandy]

Ya it's big isn't it? lol. I have to try the door hinge again. I adjusted it out as far as I could but I possibly didn't loosen it enough to get the hinge free and fully relaxed. I have not been beat yet!

There ya go pal! That's the spirit, never let 'em see ya sweat!

 

[gdrill]

Today's project was one I wasn't sure about. But now that its done......nothing to it. The grills in these cars have terrible little screws way up inside the front edge of the fender. A lot of the time people just rip them off when they remove the grill. I have been unfortunate and received a couple grills like this. However, they are savable if you have the original pieces. You can drive out the screw and weld in a new one. Then drill the rivet hole to 1/8" and pop her back in place. I did use longer screws than were originally there. I figured on the install it would be easier to reach and start the nut on them.

 

[gdrill]

And this evening...............

 

[Brandy]

Today's project was one I wasn't sure about. But now that its done......nothing to it. The grills in these cars have terrible little screws way up inside the front edge of the fender. A lot of the time people just rip them off when they remove the grill. I have been unfortunate and received a couple grills like this. However, they are savable if you have the original pieces. You can drive out the screw and weld in a new one. The drill the rivet hole to 1/8" and pop her back in place. I did use longer screws than were originally there. I figured on the install it would be easier to reach and start the nut on them.

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great strategy!!

 

[gdrill]

And of course, I couldn't resist a test fit. I am sure glad I changed my mind on converting to the '67 grill.

 

[Brandy]

I like it pal!

 

[440jimr]

I agree on you're grille choice; it's one thing that differentiates the 66 and 67....

 

[5.7 hemi]

Good job!

 

[gdrill]

I had to go get some black death 3M weatherstrip adhesive for this. I had yellow, but the black hides better when it oozes out a little. Anyway, I found I had two different trunk seals. One from Supersoft and one from Soffseal. I used the Supersoft as it was identical to my original and listed specifically for 66/67 B-bodies. The Soffseal was ever so slightly different and was listed for 68 and later B-bodies and A-bodies. I didn't realize there was a difference. But the seals I have certainly are.

 

[idrivemopar]

Awesome, I used 3m black on mine for the same reason, and its held great for 4 years now!!! I chuckled a bit when I saw your picture with all the tape because I did the same thing to make sure it stuck, and took the proper shape around the opening!!! Nice work!

 

[gdrill]

LOL, yup you can't be too careful! It paid off though. It's perfect.

 

[Brandy]

very nice!

 

[gdrill]

I dug out some parts I bought long ago. The upper and lower trunk trim came from Chucks parts on ebay. They are machined stainless, solid. They have three studs vs the push in clips on the original. They are actually quite heavy. But they sure look nice. The rest of the trim is original stuff.

 

[gdrill]

And the front trim that I've had for a long time is out of the box. This piece is manufactured from aluminum. It fits very nicely, but is slightly heavier than original as well. While I was sanding down the underside of the hood I came across a stamped part number. I thought that was kind of cool.

 

[Brandy]

Very nice!

 

[gdrill]

It fits OK, but I'm going to try a little more on the lines. The pass fender gap is wider than the driver. Ya ya, I know, Ma Mopar was never that good originally!

 

[Brandy]

It fits OK, but I'm going to try a little more on the lines. The pass fender gap is wider than the driver. Ya ya, I know, Ma Mopar was never that good originally!

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Something that always bugs me is when I look at a nice old MOPAR at a show and the trunk/hood lines don't line up with trim or body lines. I mean how hard is it to take a few minutes and get it right? I applaud you for caring to get it right! I spent most of 2 hours today trying to singlehandedly get my trunk lid right. no dice. Try again tomorrow, and again until it's corrected. period.

 

[moparnation74]

Man the grille looks great! It is amazing how much those additions completely change the look of the car....

It is coming along very nice, great work my friend!

 

[gdrill]

Thanx guys. Yes, the lines bug the heck out of me. It's not a show car by any means, but the gaps don't have to be off by a mile! And yes every little bit makes a huge difference. The grill is my biggest pleasure yet!