Torino fender replacement

[Torkair]

I will be replacing the drivers side fender of my 72 Gran torino soon and would like to get as much information as I can before I start turning wrenches. The fender on the car has a big dent just between the bumper and wheel (thankfuly it's just in the fender). The replacement fender will be coming off of my 72 Ranchero parts car (I doubt I'll ever get her back on the road). Any help would be great, especialy if someone can post up a body diagram.

[CJguy]

When do you plan on doing this? I am going to pull my donor 72 Torino in the shop for a complete disassembly here in a couple weeks, "practice" before I start on my Chero, ya see what is involved, done alot of Stangs but no Cheros.

But, the hood has to come off, mark everything (alignment) and don't be surprised at what you find, rust and corrosion, take pics, bag all nuts and bolts. Just make sure you have it all layed out and get a few cans of PB blaster and douche everything you can see, I have only owned 72's, they are sturdy animals but they are 35 yrs old... Good Luck with it, keep us posted... CJ

edit: Also if ya need some parts off a 72 Grand Torino, I have one, my donor, I got it for the floor pans and the 400/C6...

[Torkair]

I need all kinds of odds and ends, mainly a front seat (I don't know if you could call what I have a seat anymore). Alot of my parts are coming off of my ranchero that I bought back in January (the head gaskets promptly poped due to overheating and warped the heads, RIP). IF I remember correctly your a couple hours north of me so we could get to swaping parts if you'd like.

[CJguy]

Well if I am couple hours north of you, you must be well into mexico:) I live here in Las Cruces, NM.
I know what ya mean about the seat, this one is pretty much torn up. But you can always re-do it. I have done numerous mustang seats and reall isn't that hard as long as the frame is still in tact. What part of AZ are you in? I do plan on going to AZ for a few items, you have good wrecking yards over there, haven't found any around here with rancheros.
If you want you can start a list of the odds and ends you need and I'll see what it's got....CJ

[72Chero]

just keep track of your nuts and bolts.... loose one and you've got troubles

[Torkair]

Definately keeping track of the nuts and bolts, still have a few screws loose though. I thought you were up by Yuma or something like that CJ, lol, oh well. I'm in Tucson now, there are several good junk yards out here, there is a nearly complete 75 within a stone throw of me and a really good 78 about 30 min. south as well. I saw a 72 chero in another yard but it's in worse shape than the 72 that I have. I got the fender off along with the inner fender and headlight bucket. I'll be taking the entire fron end off of the parts car to see what I need and what I can swap for more parts. So far I plan to take both inner fenders and the Radiator support and have them blasted and powder coated. My inner fenders are in good shape, although the passengers side has a lot of rust under the battery tray, the radiator support is rusted pretty badly near the battery as well. I also noticed something REALLY strange, the emmissions tag on my passengers side inner fender says that the car had a 351 2v Cleveland but the engine code on in the vin is an F, anyone have any idea what this means if anything?

[*RD*]

It could be possible, correct me if I am wrong, but the dash plate where the vin is rivited on, someone could have changed that at one point. Do you still have the door tag?
Just an idea to consider
Dave

[Torkair]

I thought the door plate matched but I could be wrong, I'll check shortly.