Marsha's Gen-1 33 build by Wallace18

[wallace18]

Today I mocked up the rear aluminum parts for the rear cockpit area. Then I started on the lower radiator cowl. I start by clamping it to the sides then mark where I have to trim. Do a little at a time. I could not get the bottom to line up as I needed so I cut the cowl down the center and took a small pie cut out of one side. I use 10-32 screws to mount the cowl to the grill. This allowed me to get a nice tight fit. I then temporally riveted a aluminum piece to the bottom to hold the halves in place. Then removed it and fiberglassed the inside today. Tomorrow I will fill the void and glass the bottom. Hope to get the hood all mounted tomorrow also.

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[wallace18]

After installing rubber bumpers as per manual, I fitted hood. I still need to get at least a 1/8" gap in the front. I did remove brace between L&R hood hinge mounts and marked the passenger side of the hood for 1/4-20 Rivnuts. Ran out of time today. Will get back at it on Monday.

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[wallace18]

For several days and hours I have been pulling what little hair I have left out trying to get my hood to work with the Gen-2 hinge setup. It turns out FFR sent the incorrect arms. I have a feeling I am the first to do this to a Gen-1 so I will bear the trials, LOL. Tony is sending me the correct ones. If you are planning to do this also to a Gen-1 wait till I get done before you do anything. The photo I am posting is the wrong arms I have now. I started on my roof. Lots of voids and holes to fix, par for the course on some kits. I have had both ends of the spectrum when it comes to voids. Some good some not so good. I just fix them and move on.

IMG_4167.JPG Incorrect arms!





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[progmgr1]

Sorry, but my old eyes have trouble making out the details in your photo. Does this look like the correct Gen 2 hinge parts? They're what I received from FFR last week, so I hope they're good.
Keith HR #89420200211_130602.jpg

[wallace18]

Yes it looks closer to what Tony is sending me..

[wallace18]

Sorry, but my old eyes have trouble making out the details in your photo. Does this look like the correct Gen 2 hinge parts? They're what I received from FFR last week, so I hope they're good.
Keith HR #89420200211_130602.jpg

I just got the same stuff today from FFR. I will install in next 2 days and let everyone know how it went.

[FFinisher]

Sorry, but my old eyes have trouble making out the details in your photo. Does this look like the correct Gen 2 hinge parts? They're what I received from FFR last week, so I hope they're good.
Keith HR #89420200211_130602.jpg

Yes those are correct.

[wallace18]

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I got the right stuff from Tony today. Hood works perfectly. I did not get the new cross brace. The 1st one they sent won't fit. I will make one.

[wallace18]

Today before I got the new hood set up I mounted my roof and drew out my cut lines for the windows. I use studs on the front and the back for the top.

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[FF33rod]

Tom, is the plan to permanently mount the hard top or are you going to make it flexible?
How come studs in the rear instead of as per the manual?
Was just starting this very process before I got side tracked with redoing my doors...
Steve

[Dodgeman]

Tom,
How much are the new hood hinges from Factory Five? they look better than the old design and just seem all around better.
Bob

[wallace18]

Tom,
How much are the new hood hinges from Factory Five? they look better than the old design and just seem all around better.
Bob

Call FFR for a price. I cannot remember what I paid.

[wallace18]

Tom, is the plan to permanently mount the hard top or are you going to make it flexible?
How come studs in the rear instead of as per the manual?
Was just starting this very process before I got side tracked with redoing my doors...
Steve

You need the doors done before the top install anyway. I do studs so there is a set place it goes every time . But you can do the studs just in the front and bolts in the back. It is just a personal preference.

[wallace18]

I was all over the build today. First I finished up the hood latch and stuff. Then I cut out the window area on the top of the doors. Finally mocked up passenger side panel.

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[wallace18]

I caught Marsha's cold unfortunately. I did take the time to lay out the side stripe based on Marsha's sketches. The dark area in the blue up front is for the engine cutout to let heat out. A must in FL. Not set in stone but she likes it. Now if I can get her to finalize the colors I will be a happy man, LOL.

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[TxMike64]

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I had no idea that's where the hood latch was.... I'm thinking now that there is going to be clearance issues because on the back center of my 4.6 DOHC intake I've got a fuel rail crossover, a coolant tube, two wiring harnesses, and the IMRC control cables. I'm double thinking using this motor... It seems every time I turn around I'm facing more challenges...

[wallace18]

Finally over the cold. I mounted the Driver's side panel and made cutouts for the headlights I mount the headlights right to the metal bracket and let them float in the fiberglass side panel. See my35 thread for more detailed pics. I have till Saturday to work on the 33. Then I have cataract surgery and will be out of work till the last week of March.

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[wallace18]

When I was getting area in doors ready for window weather strips I noticed the panels were not properly panel bonded together. Seems like this was last Gen-1 out the door and not a lot of love went into body. I had to completely redo tops of doors with epoxy. All will end up Ok in the long run but a PITA none the less.

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[FF33rod]

Yup, the last gen1 doors were UGLY. Both of mine had the inner shell bonded too far forward and too low. Spent a bunch of time building up the top of the doors to compensate only to find out that the inner part of the door hit the door sill of the body before it was far enough into the opening to be flush. Driver's was worse than passenger. FFR sent me 2 replacements that were Gen 2 doors. There's a slight difference in curvature of the outer rear part of the door but that can be easily fixed up with a bit of filler and sanding. The way the inner door lines up with the Gen 1 dash sucks though, that's going to require a big chunk of HSRF to start...

[progmgr1]

Tom,
I understand that was a common problem on Gen 1 bodies - something Dan Ruth warned me about many years ago. I haven't cut my window slots yet, but I'm expecting to face similar issues when I do.
Keith HR #894

[wallace18]

This is my 3rd Gen-1 33. The first 2 had little to no issues in the door area. Glad to hear the Gen-2 doors are better.

[JimLev]

Yup, the last gen1 doors were UGLY. Both of mine had the inner shell bonded too far forward and too low. Spent a bunch of time building up the top of the doors to compensate only to find out that the inner part of the door hit the door sill of the body before it was far enough into the opening to be flush.
The way the inner door lines up with the Gen 1 dash sucks though, that's going to require a big chunk of HSRF to start...

Yup, UGLY it is. My drivers door was replaced, it's better but still same problems as you have, it's a little better than the door that came with the car.

[wallace18]

Well I have been busy with cataract surgery and such. I am doing great from my surgery. I have been mowing grass and yard work as it is spring here in FL. My county is at a stay at home state due to the C-19 deal. We are staying home and I have been working on the 33 some. Mostly wiring up center console, backup camera and such. I was able to get a 2004-05 Sebring console from pick a part for 23 dollars. It fits great, IMO. Also has charging port inside as well as lighting in rear. I made a piece to hold radio and complete console up to dash. I covered part that had e-brake and cons. top switch with black plastic and mounted my window switches there. Everything works, radio, backup camera, etc. Speakers sound great. I am moving on to wiring up headlights then install roof and finish up windows. Not sure when it will go out for paint due to this C-19 stuff. Lucky for me I am retired and not much has changed for me vs other folks. Stay safe and God Bless to all.

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[DamnYankee]

Nice work. Console looks "factory" :-)

[FF33rod]

Amazing score on the console! Glad you're recovering from the surgery. Hope you remain healthy!

Steve

[progmgr1]

About how wide is that console? I've got the "old, fat guy" seats and there isn't much room between them for a console. Thanks, Keith

[wallace18]

About how wide is that console? I've got the "old, fat guy" seats and there isn't much room between them for a console. Thanks, Keith

The rear cup holders hang off about 1" on each side. The rest is very close to the trans tunnel. None of it bothers my seats.

[wallace18]

Today was passenger window day. I installed top and bolted it down with seals in place. I mostly follow the manual here with just a few exceptions. I install a 10-32 screw to the front window channel bracket and have a larger hole it passes thru on the frame. The channel bracket is tapped to accept the 10-32 screw. This not only makes this stronger but allows me to adjust the channel inside or out to get perfect window alignment thru the door opening. I also cut and remount my door solenoid cable mount. The stock position has the cable hit the door channel bracket. I have done this to 2 other 33 I built as well.

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[Roger Pugh]

Looking good!!

[wallace18]

I installed the Ah-oo-gah horn. Marsha loves the sound, LOL. I also cut out the openings in my side panels. I cut out the passenger side and then used it as a template to match the drivers side. I think we will use the same mesh I used on my 35 P/U. I am playing around with the idea to open similar holes in the top of the hood to vent out hot air. Down here when you drive to a place then park for an hour or so the heat builds up so much under the hood. Not sure what route I will go yet. Maybe some sort of louvers in the top of the hood?? Here are some pics of playing around with different mesh and hood deals.

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[Roger Pugh]

The build is looking great. Question for you, would you use the blueprint engine and tranny set up this kit came with again? or are you moving forward with it simply because of the good deal you got on the kit?
Roger

[wallace18]

The engine is great! The transmission really works well but I think I could save some money buying the transmission else where. My 35 P/U I got a trans for $200 used and put about $1,000 in it vs the cost of the trans from Blueprint. As a package it works great , but a little pricey IMO.

[wallace18]

Had my paint/bodywork guy Chris came by yesterday and give me a few hints on some body fixes I need to do before I send it to him. He also is helping Marsha pick out colors and interior leather colors. We will be doing a 2-tone interior on the seats, door panels and rear cockpit cover/waterfall. Brown in the center and black on the sides. Here is a few photos of the stuff we looked at. I ordered the leather and such.
I will be selling FFR door panels as well as Bike fender kit in the forum classified section. I am having custom door panels made and not using fenders.

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[FF33rod]

Going to look fantastic

[wallace18]

Windy and raining today. I do not like doing fiberglass sanding without my big doors open and fan blowing dust outside. So I engine turned the hood hinges and modified the brackets to allow the front to come down further for a good fit to the grill. Also had to trim cross brace to clear radiator cap. First photo shows one side engine turned and passenger side not. Then everything turned. Looks better IMO.

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[Salty Chief 35]

Very cool

[wallace18]

I am starting to run out of things to do other than bodywork. I normally do not do much bodywork or sanding. Not my cup of tea, so to speak, LOL. But I will do a little to keep busy on this build. Today I mocked up and wired the headlights that came from Rodworx a few days ago. Marsha really likes them vs the FFR LED units. I did do some mods to the hood and sides to get a closer fit to the grill area. Wish my body guy was not so busy so I don't have to do this stuff, but it is what it is.

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[cob427sc]

Did you ever sell the fenders? Last we spoke the shipping cost was significant but due to the cost from FFR and the fact I can't get them for awhile I might still be interested.

[wallace18]

Did you ever sell the fenders? Last we spoke the shipping cost was significant but due to the cost from FFR and the fact I can't get them for awhile I might still be interested.

PM sent

[wallace18]

Funny thing. I bought this kit back in Dec of 2019. I had several car guys come look at it and no one but me noticed that the 2 front tires where different manufacture. I did not notice this till a week ago. 3 of the tires where MT and the RF was a Nitto. The original owner never notice either so FFR got away with one, LOL. I did order another correct MT front tire and had it mounted and balanced. Now they are the same. LOL.

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