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1968 Engine Bay

Tequila

Well-known member
Joined
Sep 29, 2013
Messages
347
Thought I would share couple of pictures of my rebuilt engine, with all the period correct brackets. Still needs some finishing, including the air cleaner.

A few questions...

1) I stripped most of the engine bay to bare metal but noticed that the driver side fender apron & the strut rod bracket under several layers of black paint is the original Candy apple body color. Is that normal? Did it come from the factory with body color? I thought it was a semi gloss black. Sorry this question may have already been asked here before. I couldn't find a straight answer.

2) The sheet metal underneath is rust free but has some slightly uneven spots. Should I smooth it out with some sort of high build primer and block sand it? Or use light bondo?

3) I would like to preserve the look of the factory spot welds. Should I use only light coats of spray here? Any other tricks?

4) Is it normal to have the VIN number stamped on the right fender apron? I thought only the left apron had the vin #. Unfortunately my battery tray was rusted out and had to replace this apron a while back.

Thanks all.
 

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Ruppstang

Well-known member
Joined
May 22, 2009
Messages
3,032
It is not unusual to find body color under the black, the body was painted first and then the engine bay. The worker may have just been emptying the gun.

I would not even thing out if you are going for originality unless it was damage.

The spot welds will show through as long as you do not use too much spray filler.

Yes they all had a hidden VIN on the RH apron. I usually try to preserve the top with the VIN.

The engine is looking good. The entire heat riser should be blue as should be the lift hooks.
Marty
 
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