Hurst Olds: Panel Gap Perfection

(ANNOUNCER)>> TODAY ON DETROIT MUSCLE, WE'RE GONNA BRING BACK A PROJECT YOU'VE ALL BEEN SCREAMING TO SEE. IT'S THE RETURN OF OUR '69 OLDS CUTLASS RESTO MOD. AND TODAY WE'RE GONNA STRAIGHTEN THIS BABY OUT BY PERFECTING ALL THE PANEL GAPS. PLUS A LOOK AT A GNARLY FOURFOURTWO.

(JOE)>> IT'S OVERDUE FOR A COME BACK AND HERE IT IS, OUR RESTO MOD OLDSMOBILE. NOW THIS THING HAS COME A LONG WAY SINCE IT

LEFT THE LAUNCHING PAD. IT'S STILL GOT A LONG WAY TO GO OBVIOUSLY. HOWEVER, SINCE IT'S BEEN AWAY FOR A WHILE, WHAT DO YOU SAY WE TAKE A LOOK AT SOME OF THE MASSIVE METAL WORK AND FABRICATION IT'S SEEN SO FAR. IT ALL STARTED WITH THE HUNT FOR A '69 OLDS

CUTLASS, AND WE FOUND ONE IN LOUISVILLE THAT COULD USE SOME LOVE AND ATTENTION. IT WAS A RUNNING, DRIVING CAR, BUT THE PLANS FOR

THIS BAD BOY WERE WAY BEYOND WHERE IT WAS WHEN WE FOUND IT.

(TOMMY)>> AFTER A QUICK TEAR DOWN, THE BODY WENT ONTO A ROTISSERIE, AND THEN WE TOOK IT TO THE BLASTER. THEY SCOURED OFF DECADES OF GRIME AND A WHOLE BUNCH OF OLD PAINT. THEN WE HAD IT PRIMER/POWDER COATED TO KEEP THE METAL IN GOOD SHAPE.

(JOE)>> THAT TRIP TO THE BLASTER REVEALED SOME LESS THAN SAVORY PREVIOUS REPAIRS THAT HAD TO BE

DEALT WITH, STARTING WITH FIXING THE TOPS OF THE QUARTERS.

(TOMMY)>> WE GOT OUR HANDS ON AN ART MORRISON ENTERPRISES G/T CHASSIS FOR THE PROJECT. IN ADDITION TO A BIG BAD LSX 454 POWER PLANT TO MOVE ALL THAT METAL. SINCE WE DIDN'T HAVE WHEELS YET, WE MADE A WOODEN SET TO MAKE OUR CHASSIS A ROLLER. THEN WE WERE READY TO STICK IT UNDER THE BODY.

(JOE)>> THEN THE CUSTOM MODS BEGAN, STARTING WITH FLUSH MOUNTS FOR THE FRONT AND REAR WINDOWS. THEN THE DRIP RAILS GOT DELETED FOR A CLEANER, MORE MODERN LOOK. NEXT UP, A CUSTOM SPOILER FOR THE REAR DECK LID FABRICATED OUT OF STEEL FROM SCRATCH.

THEN WE TOOK AT TRIP TO GREENING AUTO, AND THEY CRANKED OUT A CUSTOM SET OF CNC ALUMINUM WHEELS, WHICH TAKE THE ORIGINAL OLDS DESIGN TO A WHOLE NEW LEVEL.

(TOMMY)>> ONCE THOSE WERE WRAPPED IN RUBBER, WE HAD TO MAKE ROOM FOR THE WIDER FOOT PRINT BY MINI TUBBING THE BACK WHEEL WELLS. WHILE THAT WAS GOING ON, DOWN THE HALL THEY WERE PUTTING OUR CARBON XR INTAKE ON THE LSX AND PULLED OVER 600 PONIES OUT OF IT ON THE DYNO.

(JOE)>> WE POKED A HOLE IN OUR NEW ALUMINUM FUEL CELL, DROPPED IN A BAFFLE, AND INSTALLED A 90 PSI

FUEL PUMP WITH 1,300 HORSEPOWER CAPACITY.

(TOMMY)>> USING A MOCK UP MOTOR AND THE SKILLFUL HELPFUL HANDS OF BRAD STARKS, WE CREATED A CLEAN CUSTOM FIREWALL.

AFTER AMPLE AMOUNTS OF WELDING, CUTTING, AND GRINDING, THE ONE OFF FIREWALL WAS FINISHED. THEN WE TOOK MORE SHEET METAL PIECES, CUT THEM, BENT THEM, AND THEN TIG WELDED THEM TO MAKE A CUSTOM PAIR OF INNER FENDERS.

(JOE)>> THE OLDS GOT A FLASHY BUT FUNCTIONAL DRIVE ASSEMBLY WITH ALL THE ACCESSORIES BEFORE WE FABBED UP A SUPPORT SYSTEM FOR THE RADIATOR.

(TOMMY)>> WE HAD TO FILL NUMEROUS TRIM HOLES IN THE BODY, AND SHOWED YOU SEVERAL WAYS TO DO THE JOB. THE BRAKES WE WENT WITH ARE NO JOKE. THEY WILL ENSURE THAT WE CAN STOP WHENEVER WE NEED TO. SIX PISTON WILWOODS ALL THE WAY AROUND.

(JOE)>> NEXT ORDER OF BUSINESS, STEERING. FOR THAT WE STEPPED UP TO AN I DID IT COLUMN WITH BUILT IN KEYLESS IGNITION. AFTER POKING A HOLE IN OUR FIREWALL WE USED A FACTORY BRACKET FOR MOUNTING.

(TOMMY)>> SO AS YOU CAN SEE, OUR OLDS LOOKS A LOT DIFFERENT CAUSE IT'S HAD A WHOLE LOT OF WORK PUT INTO IT, AND THERE'S STILL MORE TO GO. SO WE NEED GO AHEAD AND PUT IN OUR DOORS AND OUR FENDERS BECAUSE WE NEED TO ADJUST THE PANELS IF THERE IS ANY ADJUSTMENT THAT HAS TO BE MADE. AND I'M PRETTY SURE THAT THERE'S GONNA BE A LOT. NOW WHENEVER YOU'RE ADJUSTING GAPS, YOU WANT TO START AT THE ONE CLOSEST TO THE REAR OF THE CAR BECAUSE ALL OF THESE UP HERE ARE ADJUSTABLE, BUT IF YOU STARTED FROM THE FRONT AND WORKED YOUR WAY BACK AND THE ONE HERE AT THE REAR WAS TOO WIDE, WELL YOU CAN'T REALLY SCOOT THE QUARTER FORWARD.

WHENEVER YOU'RE ADJUSTING THE DOOR YOU HAVE A COUPLE

OF WAYS YOU CAN DO IT AT THE HINGE. IF YOU LOOSEN THE THREE BOLTS HERE ON THE COWL,

YOU CAN SLIDE THE DOOR FORWARDS AND REAR, AND YOU CAN ALSO LIFT IT UP OR DOWN. HERE ON THE DOOR ITSELF, IF YOU LOOSEN THE THREE BOLTS THAT ATTACH THE HINGE, WELL YOU CAN LIFT THE DOOR ALSO BUT YOU CAN ALSO LEAN THE DOOR IN OR OUT DEPENDING ON WHAT YOU NEED. BUT FIRST THINGS FIRST, WE'VE GOT TO GET THE DOOR HUNG TO SEE EXACTLY WHERE WE'RE AT.

(JOE)>> THREEEIGHTHS BOLTS ARE WHAT HOLD THE DOOR TO THE CAR, AND THAT'S A PRETTY COMMON SIZE FOR BODY PANELS. WE'RE NOT GONNA TIGHTEN THEM DOWN VERY MUCH JUST YET IN ORDER TO LEAVE ROOM FOR ADJUSTMENT.

(TOMMY)>> NOW ALL HINGES AREN'T CREATED EQUAL. NOW ON SOME OF YOUR OLDER STUFF YOU'D HAVE TO USE WHAT'S CALLED A SHIM TO KINDA ADJUST IT HOWEVER YOU NEED IT. AND THEN WHENEVER YOU GET INTO THAT LATER MODEL

STUFF, WELL THE HINGE IS ACTUALLY WELDED IN A FIXED LOCATION. YOU HAVE TO BEND THE DOOR JUST TO MAKE THE ADJUSTMENT. IT CAN BE A BEAR.

NOW THERE'S SEVERAL DIFFERENT THINGS YOU HAVE TO CONSIDER WHENEVER YOU'RE ADJUSTING THE DOOR.

THERE'S THE EDGE HERE FROM THE ROCKER TO THE BOTTOM OF THE DOOR, THE HEIGHT OF THE DOOR. THE DOOR TO THE QUARTER, AND THE GAP OF THE DOOR ITSELF. NOW OFTEN TIMES PEOPLE USE THIS HIGHLY CALIBRATED TOOL, THAT'S A PAINT PADDLE.

IT'LL GIVE YOU A MEASUREMENT OF A PERFECT EIGHTH INCH GAP. YOU CAN JUST SIMPLY SLIDE IT DOWN HERE, FIND OUT WHERE IT'S TIGHT, AND THEN MAKE YOUR ADJUSTMENT. NOW LOOKING HERE AT THE DOOR, YOU CAN SEE THAT THIS PART OF THE DOOR IS ACTUALLY BENT UP JUST A BIT AND THIS PART OF THE DOOR IS BENT DOWN. WE'RE GONNA HAVE TO STRAIGHTEN THAT OUT FIRST. NOW SINCE THIS IS SUCH AN OBVIOUS PROBLEM, YOU CAN USE A PADDLE. LAY IT RIGHT ACROSS THE EDGE OF THE DOOR AND SEE HOW IT'S NICE AND STRAIGHT. THEN YOU SLIDE IT TO ABOUT THAT LAST HALF INCH OF THE DOOR. WE NEED TO GO AHEAD AND ADDRESS BEFORE, WELL WE START MESSING WITH THE DOOR GAP. A BODY HAMMER AND A DOLLY ARE THE TOOLS OF CHOICE FOR THIS FIX. I'LL KEEP USING MY PADDLE AS A STRAIGHT EDGE REFERENCE WHILE I MOVE THE METAL. THE PICK END OF THE HAMMER WILL HELP ALLEVIATE THE SPOT WHERE THE METAL IS TRYING TO BUNCH UP. OLE FILLER WILL TAKE CARE OF THE REST.

(ANNOUNCER)>> STILL AHEAD, JUST BECAUSE THE METAL IS CROOKED DOESN'T MAKE IT A LOST CAUSE. COMING UP WE'LL MODIFY THE GAPS TO STRAIGHTEN OUT THE LINES. ALSO SEE WHAT THE ICONIC OLDS FOURFOURTWO LOOKED LIKE WHEN IT WAS PRISTINE.

(JOE)>> OKAY WE'RE GONNA SEE IF WE CAN GET

THIS DOOR DIALED IN. AND WITH SO MUCH GOING ON BACK THERE, UP HERE, DOWN ON THE ROCKER PANELS FOR CLEARANCE, WELL IT'S A TWO MAN JOB DEFINITELY.

(TOMMY)>> THAT'S IT. NOW ALL OF THESE GAPS KINDA PLAY TOGETHER.

SO YOU HAVE TO ADJUST THEM ACCORDINGLY. WE'RE USING THIS PAINT PADDLE TO SET THE DISTANCE BETWEEN THE TOP OF THE ROCKER AND THE BOTTOM OF THE DOOR. YOU CAN LIFT IT UP OR PUSH IT DOWN HOWEVER YOU NEED TO, BUT WE'RE JUST PUSHING IT JUST FLUSH AND THEN WE'VE GOT TO ADJUST THIS ONE BACK HERE. YOU CAN TELL THAT OUR GAP IS PRETTY INCONSISTENT. DOWN HERE AT THE BOTTOM IT'S A LITTLE BIT LOOSE, BUT AS YOU TRAVEL UP IT GETS A LITTLE MORE AND A LITTLE MORE. AND THEN ACTUALLY IT GETS TOO TIGHT FROM HERE TO ABOUT RIGHT THERE. AND AS YOU GO BACK TOWARDS THE TOP, WELL IT ACTUALLY GETS LOOSE AGAIN. SO WHAT WE NEED TO DO IS OPEN THIS SIDE UP BECAUSE THAT'S JUST THE HAPPY MEDIUM OF WHERE THE DOOR NEEDS TO BE LOCATED. IF WE SCOOTED THE DOOR FORWARD TO COMPENSATE FOR THE GAP WHERE IT'S TOO TIGHT HERE, WELL THE REST

OF IT WOULD BE WAY TOO WIDE AND IT'D BE JUST MORE WORK.

(JOE)>> LOOKS GOOD HERE.

(TOMMY)>> GO AHEAD AND SNUG HER DOWN JOE.

OUR FIRST POINT OF ATTACK IS RIGHT HERE ON THIS DOOR EDGE WHERE IT'S A LITTLE BIT SHY. WHAT WE'RE GONNA DO IS TAKE A PENCIL, MARK THE TOP AND BOTTOM OF IT, GRIND OFF THE PRIMER, AND

THEN USING THIS ELECTRIC CAULK GUN WE'RE GONNA FILL IN THE INCONSISTENCY, GRIND IT DOWN,

WE'LL BE READY TO GO. YOU DON'T WANT TO PUT FILLER RIGHT HER ON THE EDGE OF THIS DOOR CAUSE IF IT WAS TO BUMP INTO SOMETHING JUST SLIGHTLY, IT'D CHIP OFF AND THEN YOU'D BE IN A HECK OF A MESS.

NOW THE TWO OUTER ONES IS PRETTY MUCH WHERE IT ALL STARTS, BUT THESE TWO INNER ONES, THAT'S WHERE IT'S REALLY BAD FROM THERE IN. IT JUST GIVES ME AN INDICATION OF WHERE I'M REALLY GONNA HAVE TO CONCENTRATE THE FILLER.

(JOE)>> THE PRIMER NEEDS TO BE SCUFFED OFF FIRST WITH A SCUFFING WHEEL. THEN, WELL IT MIGHT TAKE A FEW TRIES AND ADJUSTMENTS TO THE WELDER BEFORE YOU GET IT DIALED IN DIRECTLY.

BUT ONCE YOU DO YOU'LL BE ALRIGHT.

(TOMMY)>> EVERY ONCE IN A WHILE, IF YOU USE AN AIR BLOWER TO COOL OFF THE PANEL, IT WILL HELP PREVENT WARPING. AFTER WE LAY ENOUGH WELD IN THERE TO ADD THE EXTRA METAL WE NEED, A GRINDER WILL DO THE JOB OF SMOOTHING IT BACK OUT TO A STRAIGHT EDGE. IT MAY TAKE A FEW PASSES TO GET IT AS SMOOTH

AS IT NEEDS TO BE. JUST TAKE YOUR TIME AND BE PATIENT.

YOU CAN SEE WHAT IT LOOKED LIKE BEFORE AND WHAT IT LOOKS LIKE NOW. ALRIGHT, WITH THAT PART OF THE DOOR TAKEN CARE OF, WE'RE GONNA MOVE TO WHERE IT'S TIGHT UP HERE AT THE TOP. AT FIRST GLANCE I THOUGHT IT WAS THE SHAPE OF THE DOOR, AND REALLY WHAT IT WOUND UP BEING IS WHENEVER

WE PUT THAT QUARTER ON, WELL IT KINDA RELAXED A BIT AND IT TIGHTENED UP THE DOOR GAP. THAT'S NO BIGGIE, WE'LL JUST HAVE TO MASSAGE IT A BIT, FIX IT AS WELL. DON'T JUST WAIL AWAY WITH THE HAMMER. IT TAKES LIGHT TAPS TO MOVE THE METAL OVER WHERE IT NEEDS TO BE. SOMETIMES A BODY HAMMER WON'T MOVE IT FAR ENOUGH. WE'LL SHOW YOU IN A SECOND HOW TO FIX THAT WITH A RELIEF CUT. NOW DEPENDING ON HOW MUCH YOU NEED TO OPEN UP THAT GAP IS GOING TO DETERMINE WHETHER OR NOT YOU NEED TO MAKE THE SLICING TO DO A RELIEF CUT. WITH OURS IT REALLY WASN'T ALL THAT TIGHT. SO A FEW TAPS OF THE HAMMER MADE THE ADJUSTMENT JUST FINE. AND YOU NEED TO BE CAREFUL WHENEVER YOU DO SOMETHING LIKE THAT WITH THE HAMMER CAUSE THAT METAL YOU'RE

MOVING, WELL IT'S GOT TO GO SOMEWHERE. AND IF YOU'RE NOT TOO CAREFUL WITH IT IT'LL CAUSE THIS QUARTER TO KINDA BOW UP AND THEN YOU'VE GOT TO COME BACK AND FIX THAT. THE NEXT PART OF OUR DOOR GAP PROBLEM, WELL THIS ONE HERE IS A LITTLE BIT WIDE AS YOU CAN SEE. SO YOU COULD TAKE AND CRAM A LITTLE FILLER IN THIS EDGE, KINDA EXTEND UP THE QUARTER TO TIGHTEN IT UP A BIT. WHAT I'M GONNA DO IS SLICE THIS QUARTER HERE AND KINDA BEND THAT LIP FORWARD TO TIGHTEN UP THE GAP. AND THEN WELD IT UP, GRIND IT UP, WE'LL BE READY TO GO. NOW WHENEVER YOU'RE MAKING A RELIEF CUT LIKE THIS, WHEN YOU HAVE TO GO PAST THE POINT OF WHERE YOU JUST NEED TO ADJUST.

THIS WAY IT ALLOWS YOU TO BLEND IT IN NICE. [ grinder spinning ]

(JOE)>> A LITTLE BIT OF WELDING ON THE OUTER EDGE WILL HOLD IT IN PLACE BUT ALLOW THE INNER BIT TO STILL MOVE. WHILE THE GAP IS REDUCED WE CAN WELD UP THE RELIEF CUT. THE DOOR GAP STILL LOOKS LIKE IT'S A LITTLE TOO BIG. SO SOME ADDITIONAL WELDING OUT ON THE GAP SHOULD DO THE JOB OF FILLING IT IN AS MUCH AS WE NEED. WE'LL KEEP ADDING IN METAL AND GRINDING IT BACK UNTIL WE GET THE GAP THE WAY WE WANT IT.

(TOMMY)>> THERE YOU GO. THIS GAP LOOKS TREMENDOUSLY BETTER. NO BIG WIDE SPOT, WE TIGHTENED IT UP AND COMPENSATED FOR IT.

AND THEN THIS TIGHT SPOT, PAINT PADDLE SLIDES RIGHT THROUGH. AND THEN THIS GIANT HUGE GAP THAT WE HAD BEFORE, WELL IT'S GONE BYE BYE.

(ANNOUNCER)>> STICK AROUND AND GRAB A GANDER AT ONE OF THE MOST ICONIC OLDSMOBILE OFFERINGS TO EVER REARRANGE A SECTION OF PAVEMENT. THEN WE'LL WRAP UP OUR PANEL POUNDING GAP TECH.

(ANNOUNCER)>> DETROIT MUSCLE SALUTES THE OLDS FOURFOURTWO.

(TOMMY)>> IF YOU WANTED A REALLY FAST CAR BACK IN THE '60'S, DIDN'T WANT ANYONE TO KNOW ABOUT IT, THEN THE OLDS FOURFOURTWO HAD YOUR NAME ON IT.

(JOHN)>> THERE'S A LOT OF PEOPLE THAT SEE THAT CAR

AT A SHOW OR SEE IT ON THE STREET, THINK IT'S JUST A PLAIN VANILLA FOURFOURTWO. THEY DON'T REALLY KNOW WHAT LURKS UNDERNEATH THE HOOD YOU KNOW.

(JOE)>> IT'S WHAT THE KIDS WANTED BACK THEN. PONTIAC HAD UNEXPECTED SUCCESS WITH THE GTO. THOSE THREE LETTERS SPELLED TROUBLE FOR ANY TAKERS.

(TOMMY)>> BUT OLDSMOBILE HAD THREE NUMBERS, FOURFOURTWO, FOUR BARREL CARB, FOUR ON THE FLOOR, AND DUAL EXHAUST, HIGH HORSEPOWER AND EVEN HIGHER TORQUE ALL IN A PLAIN JANE WRAPPER. OLDS STARTED WITH A MID SIZED CUTLASS PLATFORM AND ADDED A RETUNED ROCKET 330 VEIGHT. THEY CALLED IT THE BNINE POLICE APPREHENDER PURSUIT PACKAGE. AND IF IT WAS GOOD ENOUGH FOR THE COPS, WELL YOU GET THE PICTURE.

(JOE)>> THE FOURFOURTWO WAS AVAILABLE IN ALL BUT THE CUTLASS STATION WAGON. AND CAME WITH BUCKET SEATS AND A TACHOMETER. THE ONLY EXTERIOR GIVEAWAY WAS THE SMALL BADGE ON THE DECK LID AND SIDE.

(TOMMY)>> A FEW CHANGES IN '66 INCLUDED A BOOST TO 400 CUBIC INCH WITH THE W-30 ENGINE PACKAGE. IT INCLUDED TWO SECRET AIR SCOOPS INSIDE THE FRONT BUMPER THAT LED TO THE DUAL INTAKE TUBES FEEDING THE AIR CLEANER. FUEL WAS DELIVERED THROUGH A UNIQUE TRIPLE TWO BARREL ROCHESTER CARB SETUP CALLED THE L-69. PROGRESSIVE LINKAGE TIED ALL THREE TOGETHER AND PREVENTED ANY LAG TIME IN THE OUTER TWO CARBS.

JOHN KENNEALLY BOUGHT HIS BACK THE '80'S AND DID A TOP TO BOTTOM RESTO. ONLY 54 W-30'S WERE MADE IN '66, WHICH

MAKES HIS ULTRA RARE.

(JOHN)>> IT'S THE PINNACLE OF OLDS PERFORMANCE. IF MY MEMORY SERVES ME CORRECT, THERE'S 16 SURVIVING CARS. NUMBER ONE IT HAD TRIPOWER, THE L-69 TRIPOWER SETUP ON IT, WHICH WAS A MECHANICAL SETUP AS OPPOSED TO A PROGRESSIVE SETUP LIKE THE GTO'S WOULD OPERATE, A LITTLE BIT BETTER. IT HAD THE RAM AIR INDUCTION AS YOU CAN SEE WITH THE SCOOPS UNDER THE BUMPER. IT HAD THE 4.11 GEAR SET IN THE BACK, M-21 TRANSMISSION, LITTLE STIFFER VALVE SPRINGS, LITTLE HOTTER CAM. W-30'S WERE BLUE PRINTED, THE LOWER END OF THE MOTOR WAS SORTA SELECT FIT. YOU KNOW, MORE SET FOR DRAG RACING.

(JOE)>> AND THE NUMBERS PROVED FORMIDABLE. ZERO TO 60 IN SIX POINT THREE SECONDS, AND QUARTER MILE ET'S IN THE 15 RANGE. NOT BAD FOR STOCK!

(TOMMY)>> '67 THROUGH '70 THE ENGINES GOT BIGGER DESPITE THE LOOMING OIL CRISIS, AND OLDS AGGRESSIVELY MARKETED THE BRAND.

AND DON'T FORGET IN '68 THE HURST OLDS ROLLED OUT

WITH A POTENT 455 INCH VEIGHT, SETTING THE OLDS OFFERINGS EVEN HIGHER IN THE MUSCLE CAR WARS. EVEN SO THE RARE W-30'S ARE STILL A HIGHLY SOUGHT AFTER OPTION.

(TONY)>> THIS CAR'S PRETTY RARE BECAUSE IT WAS ONLY

ONE OF 121 W-30 CONVERTIBLES MADE IN 1969. AND OUT OF THE 121 ONLY 91 OF THEM HAD FOUR SPEEDS. THERE'S NO BIGGER THRILL THAN GETTING BEHIND

THE WHEEL, PUTTING THE TOP DOWN, AND JAMMING SOME GEARS.

(JOE)>> GM KILLED OFF OLDSMOBILE 10 YEARS AGO, BUT THESE CLASSIC FOURFOURTWO'S WILL LIVE ON AS BARE BONES MUSCLE WITH CLASS.

COMING UP, MORE ON OUR HURST OLDS TRIBUTE CAR AND HOW TO REDUCE WIND NOISE WITH THE PERFECT PANEL.

(JOE)>> WE'RE BACK TO WRAP UP OUR DOOR AND FENDER TWEAKS. WE GOT OUR RADIATOR SUPPORT AND FENDERS ALL IN PLACE. SO TIME TO MAKE SOME FINAL ADJUSTMENTS.

(TOMMY)>> YEAH, FENDER GAP HAS A COUPLE OF DIFFERENT REQUIREMENTS. NOT ONLY DO YOU WANT IT TO LOOK GOOD BUT YOU'VE GOT TO HAVE JUST ENOUGH CLEARANCE IN IT SO THAT THE DOOR CAN OPEN AND CLOSE PROPERLY.

(JOE)>> HAVE YOU EVER KNOWN ANYBODY TO PUT SO MUCH PRIMER/PAINT ON ONE OF THESE THINGS THAT

IT TIGHTENS THE GAP UP TOO MUCH?

(TOMMY)>> OH YEAH, THAT'S A PRETTY COMMON PROBLEM. SO OFTEN TIMES IF GUYS BODY WORK THE PANEL SEPARATE, WELL THEY'LL PUT THE CAR TOGETHER ONE LAST TIME RIGHT BEFORE THEY PUT ON THE PAINT. BECAUSE ONCE THAT THING'S SHINNY, WELL YOU'RE KINDA MARRIED TO THE GAPS.

(JOE)>> FENDER FITMENT CAN ALSO EFFECT THE QUIETNESS OF YOUR RIDE.

IF THE DOOR'S STICKING OUT FURTHER THAN THE FENDER, IT'S GONNA CATCH AIR AND YOU'RE GONNA HEAR IT.

(TOMMY)>> SO WHAT YOU WANT TO DO IS HAVE THE FENDER OUT AT LEAST FLUSH OR JUST A LITTLE BIT MORE SO THAT IT DOESN'T CATCH ANY AIR.

(JOE)>> WELL NOW WE CAN DETECT A LITTLE BIT OF A FLAT SPOT HERE ON THE DOOR, WHICH NEEDS TO BE CORRECTED TO FOLLOW THE CONTOUR OF THE FENDER. A FEW TAPS WITH A SLIDE HAMMER OUGHT TO HANDLE THAT. SLIDE HAMMERS USUALLY HAVE SEVERAL ATTACHMENTS, LIKE THIS HOOK. YOU DON'T WANT TO GET TOO EXCITED WITH THIS THING. DO A FEW PULLS, CHECK THE PANEL, THEN DO A FEW MORE PULLS, THEN CHECK THE PANEL AND REPEAT UNTIL IT'S JUST RIGHT. WE ONLY MOVED IT ABOUT A SIXTEENTH OF AN INCH, BUT THAT'S ALL IT NEEDED.

(TOMMY)>> NOW WE'RE READY TO MOVE ON TO PUTTING OUR HOOD ON. BUT BEFORE WE CAN DO THAT, WE'RE GONNA REMOVE THESE HOOD SPRINGS OFF OF THE HINGES ITSELF. THE REASON BEING IS WHEN WE MADE THIS COOL CUSTOM FIREWALL, WELL THE BACK SIDE OF THE FENDER SUPPORT, WELL WE HAD TO CUT OFF THE TAB. SO IF WE TRIED TO DO IT NOW IT'D JUST BEND UNDER IT, AND WE DON'T WANT TO MESS UP ANYTHING.

SO WE GOT A COOL LITTLE TRICK TO SHOW YOU.

(JOE)>> SIMPLY ATTACHED THE HOOK END OF A RATCHET STRAP AND PULL THE SPRING OFF THE HINGE. WE GRABBED RYAN FROM TRUCK TECH TO HELP US GET THE HOOD ON THE CAR. THIS THING IS HEAVY, AND THIS WILL BE THE LAST PANEL THAT NEEDS TO BE GAPPED.

(TOMMY)>> A HOOD IS PRETTY STRAIGHT FORWARD. YOU GUYS HAVE SEEN US ADJUST THEM A THOUSAND TIMES BY SIMPLY LOOSENING THE TWO BOLTS THAT MOUNT IT TO THE HINGE AND SLIDE IT FORWARD OR BACK TO GET IT JUST PERFECT.

AND THEN YOU'VE GOT THE LITTLE BITY ADJUSTERS UP FRONT THAT YOU CAN SCREW TO GET IT JUST RIGHT ON

THE TOP OF THE FENDER.

(JOE)>> OF COURSE YOU'VE GOT TO OBSESS MORE ABOUT GAPS WITH A CAR THAT'S GONNA BE PAINTED WHITE LIKE THE OLDSMOBILE BECAUSE THOSE GAPS ARE GONNA SHOW UP MORE.

WITH A BLACK CAR THERE'S MORE MARGIN FOR ERROR BECAUSE THE GAPS AREN'T THAT NOTICEABLE. OF COURSE DIRT IS WITH A BLACK CAR, SO I GUESS TOMMY THERE'S ALWAYS A TRADE OFF.

(TOMMY)>> WELL THAT PRETTY MUCH WRAPS US UP FOR ANOTHER DETROIT MUSCLE. THANK YOU GUYS FOR WATCHING. JOE, I THINK THE OLDSMOBILE LOOKS PRETTY SWEET.

(JOE)>> I THINK WE OUGHT TO GO OUT AND HAVE SOME SUPPER AND CELEBRATE. YOU EVER HAD MOUNTAIN OYSTERS?

(TOMMY)>> WELL THERE WAS THIS ONE TIME, AND LONG AGO, BUT I DON'T WANT TO TALK ABOUT IT.