Like most real-world projects, our in-house '74 Z28 Camaro that we affectionately call project POS has been sitting idle for entirely way too long. Instead of being stuffed in the backyard or taking up space in your better-half's garage, ours has taken residence at Johns Customz & Performance's (JCP) massive facility in Torrance, California. We were neglecting the clapped-out derelict, but we'd like to think that we were letting the POS age more--like a fine barrel of swill. Unfortunately, the longer it sat, the more abuse it took from Mother Nature and the neighborhood alley cat.
In prior issues we addressed the braking power with SSBC discs on all four corners, and even installed a stout Strange Engineering S60 Dana axle. From here on out we'll cover everything from the paint and body to the interior resto to in-depth suspension upgrades, along with a five-speed tranny conversion, and several engine installations, and we'll showcase every step of the way.
This month, project POS gets a much-needed facelift with Goodmark Industries front fenders and a killer all-steel 2-inch cowl hood. We're still waiting for miscellaneous front-clip components, but we'll be sure to address that before the final post-paint put-together gets underway. Until then, follow along as JCP's paint and body gurus Sam Puefua and Oraea Hunt take us through the disassembly and reassembly process.
If you've never replaced the...
If you've never replaced the entire front clip before, you'll want to put aside a couple of days for it. Be sure to use quality sheetmetal like that offered by Goodmark Industries, and you can expect less fumbling with alignment shims along with any possibility of having to hammer stuff out in order to make something fit. If you're the least bit unsure of where the bolts may go (maybe months from now), it's a good idea to store them in ziplock bags.
Sam and Oraea begin by removing...
Sam and Oraea begin by removing the eight 1/2-inch bolts that hold the chin spoiler in place.
In order to remove the bumper...
In order to remove the bumper you'll have to crawl underneath and remove four bolts--two on each side--that mount it directly onto the bumper brackets.
The '74's nose features a...
The '74's nose features a three-piece clip that can be removed as a single unit. However, since ours had sustained damage, it was easier for Sam to remove all of the 1/2-inch bolts and remove it in sections while Oraea unbolted the passenger-side headlamp bezel.
Removing the other two nose...
Removing the other two nose pieces first helped relieve much of the stress from the driver-side headlamp bezel and made it much easier to remove from the crumpled sheetmetal.
With the front clip out of...
With the front clip out of the way, Oraea and Sam began to remove the fenders by first unbolting the bar that triangulates the engine bay.
If you haven't already done...
If you haven't already done so, remove both hood hinges. You'll have to take out four 1/2-inch bolts up top.
Open the door to expose the...
Open the door to expose the bolt hiding directly behind it and remove the same.
Next, you'll need to reach...
Next, you'll need to reach underneath the fenderwell to gain access to the additional 11 bolts that secure the wheelhouse to the fender.
Lastly, remove the two lower...
Lastly, remove the two lower bolts underneath the fender that are closest to the door.
You can see the number of...
You can see the number of 1/2-inch bolts used to retain the entire fender and wheelwell assembly, so take your time. If the fender refuses to give up without a fight, it's likely you've forgotten one or more of the bolts.