1967 Belvedere II Build

ardentind · Mar 22, 2026

Fitted the scoop, it’s a nice piece but was not symmetrical (longer by 1/4” on the passenger side), which meant it either needed to be mounted crooked or the reveal of the hood at the back edge would be off.
I couldn’t handle it and didn’t want to mess up this second hood (yes, it fit the same on the original hood as well), so I took a pie shape out of the scoop, made it match the contour of the hood much better and re-fiberglassed it.
Only went as far as getting it locked into place so I could drill holes in the hood and continue on the hood project. I’ll finalize the scoop later.

ardentind · Mar 31, 2026

Not a lot of progress but a lot of time invested. I almost ruined the hood when welding in a reinforcement ring for the air cleaner hole. I dislike the exposed cut edge so a ring to cap it all was a must. I got in a hurry and warped the hood pretty good. Thought it was junk but I decided to grind down the weld until the ring would come out and that brought the hood back to workable.
Had some helpful insight on how to weld the ring in the next time while holding the outer skin in the correct spot. It worked well and the hood needs a little more work after the welding but it’s workable (by a real body guy, not me).

Planning to add some panel bond adhesive on the bottom side and maybe the top side if I can find a way to make it lay out nicely and be taped off correctly. Not for strength necessarily but to finish things off even more. A radius bead of panel bond should look nice from the underside. Top side is covered but doesn’t mean it can’t look good.

ardentind · Mar 31, 2026

Also took the time to scrape the undercoating and remove all the paint I could from the underside of the fenders. This marks the last of any original stuff to grind/sand/remove. It feels good to be done!
Roughly 5 hours into each of these fenders on the underside alone. Didn’t get an original pic but they had a decent about of undercoating on them.

Plan is to epoxy prime then raptor liner them to keep rock dents contained (hopefully)

I also filled the holes for the side “Belvedere” emblems, the pentastar on the passenger fender and antenna hole. I like the smooth look, but really like the bullet turn signals on the fenders so I left those holes…now I’ve gotta find a set of the turn signals.

ardentind · Mar 31, 2026

I’ve had it set aside for a few weeks but I’ve really been looking forward to rebuilding the SureGrip. I’ve never done one before and enjoy learning.
I’m bad about having too many irons in the fire so I was proud of myself for leaving this one alone for as long as I did…especially considering I had parts from Dr Diff weeks ago.

Did I do it right? Time will tell! I’m pretty confident though. Glad I did replace the clutches, old ones had some crap go through them.

Waiting on gear marking compound and I’ll put it all back together…more learning ahead!

ckessel · Mar 31, 2026

Those old clutches are ugly.

ardentind · Apr 19, 2026

Finished the third member. Think it’s as good as I can get with reusing the gear set. We’ll see if it’s noisy…

ardentind · Apr 19, 2026

Sprayed the under of the fenders with epoxy and then raptor liner. I know some don’t like this stuff but when I read someone mention having no inner fenders and the potential of a rocket getting flung up and dinging the panel from underneath just made me cringe.

ardentind · Apr 19, 2026

Then masked the raptor liner and sprayed a final coat of epoxy on the outside, followed by 2K.
The stuff is addicting to sand so I roughed them in. The fenders were done over a 3 day period. Felt good to have some confidence, know the product, the flash times, recoat times, do this while that flashes, etc. and ultimately feel really productive.

ardentind · Apr 19, 2026

This weekend I focused on the trunk and engine bay. So many wasted brain cells and time spent trying to decide on painting it all at once, if not where to mask, etc.
These areas were epoxied then sealed then BC and CC. By far the most technical painting I’ve done! The tiny areas, nooks, crannies, etc really take a long time. One coat in these areas took me nearly and hour. Different angles, different gun settings, trying to get coverage in those areas is a real pain. Overall, not perfect but I’m happy with it.

Love this color. It scares me when it’s not yet clear coated and is in the crappy garage lighting. It looks so flat and silvery…but as soon as it has clear on it, it comes to life.
It changes pretty dramatically between bright sunshine, shade, poor garage lighting. Etc.

Belvedere408 · Apr 19, 2026

Looks great awesome color and work

Rich H. · May 8, 2026

Outstanding. I love the color and your workmanship looks so excellent.

ardentind · May 24, 2026

Been awhile since I’ve posted. Making progress and really close to paint stage at this point.

Needed to organize what little space I have so whipped up a few more aerosol can holders for the wall.

ardentind · May 24, 2026

Finished the hood finally. Think I’m happy with how it blocked out. Reflections says it’s good so…carrying on.
It’s hard to keep going when you’re inexperienced and not totally sure you’re doing it correctly. The panel check for reflection helps with that a lot.
With body work, separating the inner and outer, scoop opening and reinforcement ring, reassembling inner/outer, priming, painting, etc. I have roughly 50 hours into this dang hood. Really want a fiberglass one but that will wait for now.

The hood is pretty darn clean but I opted for a satin clear on the underside. Was an idea a local painter suggested so that A, it doesn’t draw so much attention and B, when you do look up at it from underneath, you don’t see the light spray areas that come from being difficult to access.

ardentind · May 24, 2026

Guide coat, sand, guide coat, sand, guide coat…

Have about half the car in 400 grit currently. Hoping to get everything in 400 by the end of the week and then really plan out when I’m going to spray this thing so I can then plan when to wet sand to 600.

Pedalpusher · May 24, 2026

ardentind said:
Been awhile since I’ve posted. Making progress and really close to paint stage at this point.

Needed to organize what little space I have so whipped up a few more aerosol can holders for the wall.

View attachment 2040973

View attachment 2040974

You know guys are going to ask…. Have any for sale?
Very nice, will take two.
I’m fascinated with your progress & story, this ride will be amazing when done, you are a mechanical Picasso. Your Pop is smiling….
Ron

ardentind · May 24, 2026

Powder coated the wheels yesterday too. Time to get rubber on them.
Toyota Midnight black which has a subtle blue metallic in it. Sentimental to our family in a special way so felt it was a neat color to use.

ardentind · May 24, 2026

Pedalpusher said:
You know guys are going to ask…. Have any for sale?
Very nice, will take two.
I’m fascinated with your progress & story, this ride will be amazing when done, you are a mechanical Picasso. Your Pop is smiling….
Ron

Ron,
That last line meant a lot to me when reading your post. Thanks.
DM me your address.

ardentind · May 24, 2026

Assembled the front hubs as well. They’ve been mostly together but I went through and packed bearings and tried to get them to a “bolt on” status.
These are spindles my dad gave me, as well as the dust shields and caliper brackets. Calipers are remanned but I bought enough of them from RA until I got two with the pentastar on them. Everything, minus the lower ball joint has been disassembled, blasted and powder coated.

Lower ball joints are import junk but regardless, they’ve been unused inside of a shed since December. Went out to start doing this and noticed both ball joint boots were terribly cracked. Guess that’s what you get for buying the junk. Nobody has the Moog in stock and who knows if those are any better.
Solution? Poly ball joint boots for $9.

Oh, and of course the dust covers from Dorman are too short. Common problem it seems. I have a number to try at Napa, otherwise I’ll order from Rick’s Mopars.
2” PVC pipe cap is $2 at HD and works great to install the dust caps btw.

ckessel · May 24, 2026

Did the RA Calipers come loaded[ with pads]? If so, boot them and get some semi metallic ones. D84 is the industry pad type for those. The conversion packages and others that come with pads, the pads are used car lot specials. Make lots of noise and don't function worth a shi.!

ardentind · May 24, 2026

ckessel said:
Did the RA Calipers come loaded[ with pads]? If so, boot them and get some semi metallic ones. D84 is the industry pad type for those. The conversion packages and others that come with pads, the pads are used car lot specials. Make lots of noise and don't function worth a shi.!

They were not loaded. I bought cheap pads from RA, separately. Always was told the cheaper pads wouldn’t last as long but wouldn’t make noise either because they aren’t so damn hard.

Suggestions on pads?

1967 Belvedere II Build

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