1979 - Inner fender fitment

[DeVilliers]

Hi all,

Probably a stupid question, but I just want to be sure.
Can the inner fenders successfully be fitted after fitting outer, hood and core support?

I want to fit the hood, but  how?
I was thinking, fitting outer fenders with the core support, laying the hood on top and then access from the wheel side to tighten bolts. Thereby also getting good alignment.

Is it even possible?

Thanks

[Jack]

Yes it's possible but obviously not as easy as installing the inners first.

[roadking77]

Yes the inners can be put in last. I know some guys have the knack for it but I dont. I prefer to do them first. As for fitting the hood, you will need help holding it in place but the overall adjustment isnt all that bad. I would imagine its easier to fit the hood than to try and fit the inner fender after the fact.

[JJ 109]

Yes. Tape up the fender opening

[b_hill_86]

Yes, I removed and reinstalled my drivers side inner fender when I converted my car to a 4 speed so I could install the zbar bracket. What I found that made it easier is removing the bolt at the bottom of the outer fender between the tire and door. It made it easy to slip in and out.

[DeVilliers]

Thanks all. It's the way to go then. Not ideal, but has to be done if you are only one person

[roadking77]

Holding the hood in place to get the bolts started is the tricky part. Once they are in the adjustments are fairly simple to do, just be carefull when closing the first couple of times. I had my wife help me set my hood. One of the very few things I had to ask for help during my resto.

[DeVilliers]

Holding the hood in place to get the bolts started is the tricky part. Once they are in the adjustments are fairly simple to do, just be carefull when closing the first couple of times. I had my wife help me set my hood. One of the very few things I had to ask for help during my resto.

This is my biggest issue, hence the idea of laying it flat, and then tighten it up from underneath.

[5th T/A]

Just my 02 cents worth having just done this on my car earlier this year and many times before decades ago.

 It would be worthwhile to wait until you can have a trusted assistant to help with the hood installation. First it is much easier to loosely install the inner fenders and then install the outer fenders. Also I would be concerned about laying the hood on top of the compressed hood springs that they might pop open in the process. I would be afraid of damaging the paint on the fenders and hood. I recommend putting some clean heavy moving quilts on the fender while bolting the hood in place. Initially I would not have the hood latch installed or have it loosely installed and be very careful closing the hood until you are comfortable with the alignment. Don’t be surprised if you have to play with the fender alignment after the hood is installed so you have the correct gaps all the way around.

[roadking77]

100pct what Larry said.  It would be worth at the least having a friend from work come over for a burger and a beer and help to hold the hood in place. Would take a whole 60 seconds.

I try to do everything by myself. When it came to the hood, I pondered for days how I could rig something up from the ceiling to hold it in place. In the end I went in the house, asked my wife for 5 minutes of help. Much easier.