All MetalShaping

All MetalShaping (https://allmetalshaping.com/index.php)
-   Resources (https://allmetalshaping.com/forumdisplay.php?f=50)
-   -   Camaro Custom Hood Cowl (https://allmetalshaping.com/showthread.php?t=9723)

JeffLillyRestorations 09-24-2013 03:23 PM

Camaro Custom Hood Cowl
 
The 80's Camaros were cool looking cars but unless you had an Iroc they were void of the Muscular Look

associated with the first generation Camaro's. We are going to "one off " this 86 Model with some special touches.

1. The stock Camero awaits its new Cowl Hood upgrade. Bone stock she is some what flat with the exception of a few body lines.

http://s24.postimg.org/xm23s3w5h/image.jpg

2. The owner bought this fiberglass cowl hood in hopes of a muscular face lift but it has an unnatural look and a lot of fit issues. One being too short front to back by over 1 inch. In our opinion the cowl section is too high looking with a rounded top edge that goes down in to a hard line at the bottom and this does not flow with the rest of the Camaro design.


http://s24.postimg.org/qqr20hgg5/image.jpg

3. The first step is to find out the minimum clearance needed between the top of the air cleaner assembly to hood panel. We are using a K&N open element on this particular project.


http://s24.postimg.org/kn9hgkq6d/image.jpg

4. We stripped the hood to bare steel. Time to analyze what we are able to do, taking in to consideration the natural limitations of the panel and the filter clearance.


http://s24.postimg.org/67w5vf2it/image.jpg

5. With the hood flipped over you can see GM built a lot of reinforcement to compensate for the thin outer panel which is 22 gauge at best. We cut away all the caulk / adhesive holding the outer panel to the inner structure to release them from one another.


http://s24.postimg.org/vx27biv7p/image.jpg

6. We drew out the basic areas with a sharpie where we are going to slice.


http://s24.postimg.org/mzcw0fddx/image.jpg

7. At the front and rear edges of the panel we are going to cut about 3/16ths of an inch just inside. Note the 3M weld protection paper on the windshield.


http://s24.postimg.org/50mtgy1s5/image.jpg

8. After cutting the panel off we are ready to measure our air filter to hood clearance.


http://s24.postimg.org/fq0i97dl1/image.jpg

9. We located the air filters center by marking and drilling a 1/2 inch hole. As seen an extra long carb stud protrudes through the hole for marking purposes. The engine sits off center in the chassis to the passenger side by factory design. Lou cut a circle one half inch outside the outer filters diameter for extra clearance room to allow for engine torque side to side.


http://s24.postimg.org/w2ajyxrwl/image.jpg

10. We installed the filter and it clears fine during opening and closing.


http://s24.postimg.org/bai33y16t/image.jpg

11. We cut out some metal and rolled it in to a circle the same diameter as our cut out in the hood.


http://s24.postimg.org/q1hgfluo5/image.jpg

12. Next we fit it to the hood then tack welded it in place. Using a sharpie we marked the wavy irregular shapes of the inner structure to the new metal. We then cut the tack welds free, removed it and trimmed it to fit.


http://s24.postimg.org/qjclvgk91/image.jpg


13. The result is a stiffened inner panel that custom fits the contours. We only tack weld every inch at this point. We will fully weld it later.

http://s24.postimg.org/gxnmswih1/image.jpg

14. Everything still fits and clears well so on we go.


http://s24.postimg.org/m7slk72px/image.jpg

15. The next step is to lay the original center panel back down in place and tack weld the very front to stabilize the panel. We raised up the rear to check for minimum clearance and to establish the " LOOK" we are after.


http://s24.postimg.org/5wnwa50ud/image.jpg

16. It is determined that 3 inches in the center and 2.5 inches on the outer edges has the most natural look.


http://s24.postimg.org/krchobaf9/image.jpg

17. As seen on the under side our air filter wing nut has approx 1/2 inch of clearance. We bent some aluminum bar stock to match the hoods contour and then inserted it down the center to stabilize the panel.


http://s24.postimg.org/y3aab92th/image.jpg

18. Next we start on the sides by bending 1/4 inch rod to match the slope we were after. Making a template for exact duplication on both sides is mandatory.


http://s24.postimg.org/amifchh8l/image.jpg

19. As we fit the wire it is starting to take shape. Note the extra length behind the hood toward the wind shield. We have not yet determined the full length that the cowl section will be so we will leave it long and trim it later.


http://s24.postimg.org/valo4yrut/image.jpg

20. Some increment rod material was cut to act as pillars in order to strengthen the main rod so it will take the weight of the panel.


http://s24.postimg.org/jzj0glkzp/image.jpg

21. We tack weld them in place and start the process of checking our fit regularly to be sure nothing moves.


http://s24.postimg.org/ovmn8al51/image.jpg

22. Once all the rods were in place on both sides of the hood we fabbed some 18 gauge reinforcement walls to fit in and around the wavy slopes of the inner structure. The top edge was matched to the same template that
the 1/4 inch rods were made from.


http://s24.postimg.org/8w3zoqp39/image.jpg

23. Yea man, she looks good at this height. Sooo- Let's continue.


http://s24.postimg.org/lslx4x66d/image.jpg

24. The next step is to make a 1/4 inch wire match the wind shields shape as this will be used to reinforce the very back of the panel or cowl.


http://s24.postimg.org/kmmijv79h/image.jpg

25. We tack welded the rear cowl reinforcement wire between each side rod and then laid some mock up board on the top to get an idea of what we want the cowl to look like front to back.


http://s24.postimg.org/qxn4mjj45/image.jpg

26. We determined that 4.5 inches longer then the stock hood was the best distance. We cut out some metal to fit and are ready to tack weld it in place.


http://s24.postimg.org/5pe1iuu11/image.jpg

27. We used panel clamps for the right gap. This is important. 1/16th works good and allows the metal to expand during the weld process which avoids warping.


http://s24.postimg.org/6zbuxwnt1/image.jpg

28. Next we mocked up the side profile to get an idea of the way we want the panel to flow in to and out of the hood for the most natural look.


http://s24.postimg.org/71vqkqrgl/image.jpg

29. We marked our template where the bends should take place then transferred it on to 20 gauge steel. The green tape shows the bend line. We want to establish this line first to get the panel to sit down against the existing hood section matching the same contour as close as possible.


http://s24.postimg.org/c4i4cn72d/image.jpg

30. Starting from the rear of the panel we used a roller die that is very angled. This die forces the metal to kick up slightly with 3-4 passes doing the job.


http://s24.postimg.org/dgurhey6d/image.jpg

31. Mani hammer and dollies the edge in a few places to get it to touch dead on.


http://s24.postimg.org/7stinn05h/image.jpg

32. As seen it sits on top of the G.M. metal pretty decent. On to the next phase.


http://s24.postimg.org/fcmlpotc5/image.jpg

33. On to the English wheel to form a gradual roll from the top of the cowl section down to the lower section of the hood. Using a very tight radius wheel allows us to form a contour as quickly as possible on such a small piece.


http://s24.postimg.org/fdwjj3v5x/image.jpg

34. The edges tend to get a little wavy when the wheeling is performed so using a leather faced slapper and a t-dolly Mani adjust the shape where needed.


http://s24.postimg.org/5thi9yv7p/image.jpg

35. Using the planishing hammer he curved the panel a bit more to get that "just right look."


http://s24.postimg.org/wwal7mxs5/image.jpg

36. Clecoed in place she fits the panel nice.


http://s24.postimg.org/bit5gjc05/image.jpg

37. Once he was satisfied with the fit he carbide scribed the panel where he will slice then fit the orig G.M. Metal to our new section.


http://s24.postimg.org/mky8ez62t/image.jpg

38. In addition he drew a cross line to know the exact fit front to back during the final stages.


http://s24.postimg.org/5odr0anwl/image.jpg

39. After fitting and tack welding the new side sections in place we made a template that we felt gave the best overall corner transition.


http://s24.postimg.org/68ss2zh51/image.jpg

40. It looks good and aggressive but subtle at the same time.


http://s24.postimg.org/4sh9kue85/image.jpg

41. This angle shows a sweet transition.


http://s24.postimg.org/8ilhrhfgl/image.jpg

42. Everything is tack welded in place so we simply continue tack welding as seen until all is joined.


http://s24.postimg.org/ldthe8upx/image.jpg

43. It helps to blast the areas to be welded for quick and precise spot welding on a panel as fragile as this.

http://s24.postimg.org/ih6gdyow5/image.jpg

44. Finish welded and ground, Nicccceee.


http://s24.postimg.org/veybnk7t1/image.jpg

Source

Jeff Lilly Restorations
11125 Fm 1560
San Antonio, Tx
78023
www.jefflilly.com
210-695-5151

thingsthatfly2 09-24-2013 10:22 PM

Jeff, I love the webpage. Its my cure for the common burn out. scroll through a few of your build tips and I'm ready for the shop again. Keep up the great work!

Overkill 09-25-2013 12:18 PM

Thanks for the post
 
Much better than the fiberglass hood.

Saw a similar technique used on a 1965 Falcon Ranchero. Resulted in a great look, that many people missed.

Steve Hamilton 09-25-2013 12:59 PM

Hi Jeff

I agree the hood looks better than the original and the fiberglass!
Was the 1/2 inch rod left in the hood or just used for support when forming the new panels?

Steve

crystallographic 09-25-2013 07:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Overkill (Post 81083)
Much better than the fiberglass hood.

Saw a similar technique used on a 1965 Falcon Ranchero. Resulted in a great look, that many people missed.

careful patient procedure with slick results! Very good. Sometimes I add some/more crown by hand, at the end of my metaltime, just to get a straightedge up and off more of the surface.
I think of that mig tic-tac maneuver as "Morse code welding".
Neat shop.

DSUTTON8 09-26-2013 11:58 AM

Sweet!!! I like it!

daveb 09-26-2013 06:59 PM

great job . Are those magnets holding everything together or some kind of panel clamp?


All times are GMT -5. The time now is 12:54 PM.

Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.11
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions Inc.