COMET CENTRAL

After 18 years of the pain of having a 351 Cleveland stuffed between the stock shock towers I finally decided to cut my shock towers. I had a free day and just went out and started cutting. Probably won't be able to get the metal, cut, shape and weld it back in for a few weeks, but there is no turning back now. Pictures are not great quality, taken with my phone.

Good decision buddy! I can't tell you how happy i am since i did mine over the winter. Your going to wonder why you waited so long. Looking good so far. Keep us up to date. Oh, one other thing. While your at it, do yourself a favor and cut out the center rib below where your cutting now. I cut it back and plated it in on a gradual slope downward. It may give you more clearance down low for headers. Mark

Mark, I used the thread you started earlier this year as inspiration. I am too old to get those header bolts in now, I need the extra space.

Welcome to the cut up car club!!
Fred

Cut up car club,my 65 is PURE STOCK!!!!! ROY.

Your really going to enjoy the extra space to change the plugs too. My fat little hands need all the room i can get. HAHA

I am going to remove the welded in export brace today. Is there an easy way? Should I drill out the spot welds and then fill the holes in, or chisel and grind it off?

Torch, just squint and you won't even need eye protection

SASSY wrote:Torch, just squint and you won't even need eye protection

Thanks for that great advice, I think I will pass on that though.

Larry;I ground the ends at the towers to where I could break them free after I used a sawsall to cut them at the firewall pinch weld.The only welding was then to just close up the end of the pinch weld,mainly just for looks as it is spot welded from the factory.I use adjustable braces from MPG in Colorado. ROY.

CALIFORNIA CALIENTE wrote:Larry;I ground the ends at the towers to where I could break them free after I used a sawsall to cut them at the firewall pinch weld.The only welding was then to just close up the end of the pinch weld,mainly just for looks as it is spot welded from the factory.I use adjustable braces from MPG in Colorado. ROY.

Thanks Roy, I figure with all the experience and knowledge on here is was better to ask for a good idea rather than to just start hacking away.

I cut mine off as close as i could and then ground them smooth. I too used the adj brace kit like Roy did. I couldn't get my valve covers over the stud girdles without removing the braces. I was kind of forced into it, but i like it a lot. Mark

Got them off in no time. Thanks Roy, grinding was the way to go. Grind a little, chisel a little, then they are laying on the ground.



As for the new export brace, thought about using the one Shawn makes at StreetorTrack. Nice looking piece and I can drive over at pick it up.

Larry;that is a very nice looking brace setup,looks plenty strong too!!! ROY.

So,,,,,,,? Did anyone else notice the FE headers under the car?
Thought you were into Cs