Newbie

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Newbie

Postby CHRYRACER » Thu Dec 19, 2013 2:21 am

Hi guys,
New to you club. Confession first, I'm a chrysler guy at heart, but a gearhead all around.(did I lose anyone?)
After all these years, I am finally building my V-8 Vega!!!! I have building cars since I was 13. My habit
got worse when I worked for Art Morrison Ent. for 13yrs. I have had 3 tube frame Pro Street cars, 3 back-half
cars and 2 mini-tubbed cars with a few small tire cars.
I'm not exactly sure of the plan, but looking towards a 434ci SB with nitrous, mini-tubbed Caltracs.
My first question, more to come, on my 1975 hatchback, the hatchback hinges are rusted gone.
What do I do???????? Can't find replacement, do I modifiy gate hinges? Any imput would be needed.

Thank you,
Mark
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Re: Newbie

Postby cjbiagi » Thu Dec 19, 2013 7:28 am

Welcome to the club, you will find these cars fun and interesting but challenging as well. Are the hinges rusted only on the hatch or are the ones welded to the body also gone?
Clyde.........75 Monza 2+2
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Re: Newbie

Postby hammerdown7 » Thu Dec 19, 2013 3:49 pm

Welcome to the site. You'll get many more responses and comments if you post in the top category under "General Discussion". You are currently posting in "H-body.org info"

Dick

Edit: Looks like Marco moved the thread to General, thanks!
Last edited by hammerdown7 on Thu Dec 19, 2013 10:58 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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Re: Newbie

Postby zzip » Thu Dec 19, 2013 7:46 pm

Welcome Mark

Grtz

Peter from Antwerp
1988 Monza L4 2.5L
1989 Monza Spyder L4 2.5L
1990 Monza Spyder V6 3.2L
1991 Monza Spyder V6 3.8L
2013 Monza V6 3.8L
2014 Starfire V6 3.8L
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Re: Newbie

Postby chevyart » Thu Dec 19, 2013 10:00 pm

hey newbie caltracs? that means leaf springs? couple of our guys did that(my vega in Pa.) and his car hooks and flies. looking forward to see what you do with the caR you get. you are in the right plaCE, WITH THE FINEST FAB GUYS ON THE PLANET. ART
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Re: Newbie

Postby CHRYRACER » Sat Dec 21, 2013 1:46 am

Thanks guys.
The hinges on the body are rusted away. The hatch has brackets with about a 1/4" hole
in them. Not sure what to do.
Yes, Im going to run leaf springs with caltracs. Well thats the plan right now, but I have
some time until then. I'll repost under the correct heading and seek advice on peoples thinking
on building a sleeper.
Thanks again!!
Mark
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Re: Newbie

Postby vegastre » Sat Dec 21, 2013 4:46 pm

advice on peoples thinking on building a sleeper.


Just as a heads up, any Hot Rodder who sees a Vega on the road now days assumes it has a V8 in it even if it looks somewhat stock. That said, it looks like you have a pretty unique take on the V8 Vega and as we say around here post plenty of pics. =)
Phil Kennedy~
72 Chevrolet Vega GT Hatchback
75 Pontiac Astre SJ Safari Wagon
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Re: Newbie

Postby waybad » Sat Dec 21, 2013 11:46 pm

welcome,, put a hemi in that car :dance: :dance: :dance: :dance:

this thread is worthless without pictures!!
Tinker
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Re: Newbie

Postby dadhad1 » Sat Dec 21, 2013 11:54 pm

Welcome Mark. Sounds like you have good project there and you have the knowledge/skills/experience to do something really cool with it.

It would be my guess (on the hinges) that if you're trying to stay original, you could seek out someone with a parts car and have a set removed and sent to you.

Perhaps a post here on the forum in the 'Wanted' thread will get a few bites...

Mike
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
'What is it? A Maverick? No. A Pinto? No. Looks like a mini Camaro. A Camaro? No. A Chevette? HAHA, No. It's a Vega. Ahhhhh, cool man.'

My Vega Photo Gallery at World of Wheels in Boston 2014
https://get.google.com/albumarchive/115 ... pAWBWhqw1V
YouTube Video Playlist of My V8 Vega Resto Mod
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F1EZdPJ ... ELLLJsPs6C
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Re: Newbie

Postby H body Al » Mon Jan 12, 2015 11:23 am

Welcome,
I am not much on the whole Dodge thing, but you are in with a great crowd here! Good luck with the Vega project.
H Body Al: 1976 Astre Notchback; 1977 Astre Hatchback; 1978 Sunbird Safari Wagon. All 3 Body Styles!
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Re: Newbie

Postby gt350fme » Mon Jan 12, 2015 1:11 pm

Hi, a picture of your rusted hinge area would be helpful so we see exactly, but it is only sheet metal and hinges we are talking here.
Auto body welding skills are what is needed here, take your time, this sheet metal is thin, fabricate replacment pieces with slightly heavier sheet metal, lots of small spot welds with the mig welder .025 wire, and some grinding
I would not be afraid to replace the hinges with ? As long as in the end they work as desired, maybe your hinges could be refurbished and welded back in? it's just metal working, and we are here to help.
Good luck
GT
Last edited by gt350fme on Mon Jan 12, 2015 5:40 pm, edited 1 time in total.
1964 Chevy panel K30
1973 GT Vega Hatchback
1977 Chevy K20
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Re: Newbie

Postby ol55 » Mon Jan 12, 2015 5:22 pm

Is this what you are talking about? I think this qualifies as "rusty hinge area" !

Image


Larry
'73 Vega GT Hatchback hot rod.
'76 Cosworth
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Re: Newbie

Postby beakerztoyz » Mon Jan 12, 2015 9:54 pm

waybad wrote:welcome,, put a hemi in that car :dance: :dance: :dance: :dance:

this thread is worthless without pictures!!



Ta heck with a hemi... everyone knows them old elephants were slow........ put a 340 in it with a six pack and one a them pistol grip shifters then it'll really fly :mrgreen:
1980 notchback sunbird... 355
1980 monza spyder.... v8

If I woulda known then what I know now....I never woulda got an h body
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