Did you ever get this figured out yet?

 

yea, got the hood surround mostly aligned, got to get some time to get it glued on now. Been looking for a job again and dealing with some house projects (new roof and AC)

 

what was the problem, my front clip was doing the same as yours. overlap one side 1/2 in away on the other.

 

I'll be studying this thread carefully as my surround is coming Tuesday and the fenders shortly thereafter . Wishing you other guys good luck.

 

There's one alignment hole on each side of the frame. Sitting in the driver's seat, one alignment hole will be in the frame and birdcage about half way between you and the door hindges. If you take off the sill plate you should be able to see it. You can see it from underneath the car. The passenger's side alignment hole: Sit in the passengers seat and just put your hand down. It's there under the sill plate and of course there's the hole in the frame.

I believe the alignment hole is intended for a 9/16 (?) dowell rod. If you push the rod through the frame hole, it should pass up through the corresponding hole in the birdcage. I went to a store that sells tools,etc to machine shops. I had them order me a steel rod about three feet long that was exactly 9/16 inch in diameter. (Assuming my memory about the 9/16 is correct.) Being exactly the correct size means that the rod will just barely fit through the frame and birdcage holes with very little play.

 

Wow, I can't believe how this car has been stalled. I got hurt, then laid off for a while, then back to work and have not been able to shake loose to get back on it until now. My neighbor body guy has given me a deeal I can't pass up. Says he has cancer and wants to do my car as his last project and gave me a killer price to finish the body and paint it. I am still working in San Antonio until mid June. We cut the deal Friday and he moved the car down the street to his house saturday, now I need to get the rear bumber and L88 hood delivered pretty quick. Lots of other work to do before they are needed but it won't be long.
To Date:
Full body off resto mod
Engine mini top end done, Cam, Lifters pushrods, air gap intake and stock E4ME carb and dizzy, computer works. Shortie headers and hand built duals with Bourla SS mufflers
Complete suspention rebuild with poly, Moog parts, spreader bar, custom tranny cross member, everything done and back on.
200R4 tranny with all the goodies inside, stage 2.
Dewits custom rad, electric fans with PWC controller
Body has new #2 pockets, rocker channels, hand fabbed WS Lower corner drivers side, body back on, doors lined up, door rust cut out, patches welded in, painted and reassembled
Have fiberglass front bumper in hand and all the front clip parts, so that will keep him busy for a bit.
Pics as soon as I can get them

 

Making a little progress, got initial fitup done on the front clip. The tape is the outline for the L88 scoop. Will take some work to get everything fitting together properly. Aparently fiberglass parts change shape when stored here or there for a couple years.
The pics suck, but I'll post more soon.

 

4 years, but it's gett'n there! Good to see progress!

 

have you finished yet?

 

OK, Making some progress now!
My body guy is doing great, what he has done in 2 weeks would have taken me 2 months if I had the time to get it done.
Front end is all on and molded in, I really like the way the body lines are coming out.



Door gaps are done




Hood Scoop is on but still needs to be molded in

Rear bumper is hanging on the back, tail lights should be in today so we can fit them up

 

Getting close to color now. Frank spent near 40 hrs on the hood, Dammit!
Got me likin it tho.



Lizard skin is on the floor, a couple coats. Dynomat almost done, got to do the battery and stash box area yet. Waiting on dash to be delivered. Console and insturement panels done.
AC condensor is here need to install it, finish ac lines.....
seems like a long list of stuff yet to do...

 

lookin' good - quick question, is this "Frank" busy this week so he can help me with mine

 

LOL, Frank keeps busy doing bumpers and doors for folks that suck at driving. Now and then he jumps on something like this. That hood took him about 35 hrs, nearly as long as the rest of the car so far. He is all **** about it, but since its my car thats cool!
He didn't think this was going to be much of a challenge for him, until he found out I wanted the bumpers molded in, L88 hood scoop and air box molded in, door skin seams, door sills all molded in. I'll have to tio him pretty good I am afraid. Nuther month or so and it will be in color.

 

Comeon Wilcox, where is my dash?

 

Awesome thread. Looking good, I will have to pull my front clip, thanks for the heads up.
MJ

 

I'll have to replace mine. I guess it was wrecked at some point and my '76 has a '80 front end :/ Anybody know any good suppliers? Besides that, your car is looking great, I hope mine looks half as good as that one will when it's done!

 

Moving along on this thing. Door Jams, door frames and underhood are in color. The Black with Gold Pearl is amazing.
Underside of the L88 modified hood

Pass side door jamb

Drivers side

Hood Lip

Electrics all hooked back up, alarm wired in and working, dash will go back in this week, consoles and insturement cluster along with the dash.
Closer, paint in a week or two..