67 Barracuda Engine Bay

[1badfish67]

I have (2) 1967 Barracuda Fastbacks. One I am restoring and other for parts. Someone had cut holes in inner fenders. I assume for header dumps (Drag Racing)? Anyway, I purchased (2) new inner fenders from AMD. I then started to take measurements of the engine bay, from firewall to radiator support on both sides then the diagonals across the box.

Was I surprised to find as much as 3/8" difference from firewall to radiator support between the driver and passenger fender attachment points and 1/2" difference in the diagonal. This thing is no where near a square! Was this a fluke? I went out and took the same measurements on the parts car. Same thing. I then measured the width between the fender attachments at the firewall then measured the width of the radiator support.

Turns out that the radiator support is narrower that the firewall. So the engine bay is wider at the firewall and tapers down at the radiator support. This still doesn't account for the 1/2" difference in the diagonal measurements.

Does anyone know why the distance from firewall is not the same on both sides and the diagonal measurements are so different? I did check the hood and it is square! Any recommendations? Do I square this thing up or does anyone know why Chrysler did this? A tooling/jig screw up and was easier to make the compartment un-square to fit a mistake in tooling setup??

 

[AJ/FormS]

Whatever it takes to make the fenders and hood fit! The fenders have a fair bit of adjustability, but not the hood.
Just be sure you don't tweak the frame rails, cuz an alignment would be trouble. Why not just fill the header-holes?

But hey, I have never seen a square A, that's why everything is so adjustable. Rearends are never in square either. Some dog-track pretty bad.
I'm no help, I know; but I think when it comes to A-bodies, you gotta kindof expect this kindof thing.

 

[moparmat2000]

Yep, built by people back in the day before robot welders, also before quality control was concidered a big issue. Lots of slotted holes makes it all fit.

 

[marksmopar1]

I have done the inner fender replacement many times on A body cars and no two have ever been the same. There is 1/4 inch allowance all around. Look at those fender bolt on holes, yup oval, most are...so a 1/4 inch quickly adds up- equals 1/2-3/4...and so on all around...You could correct and make it square and still have adjustment on the fenders ETC. The one measurement I would be cautious on is firewall to rad support. Also as mentioned above you may want to be sure the frame isn't out, worth taking it in or checking yourself using the datum line from an alignment manual for the car. I hate fenderwell headers....fixed many a cut up apron but back in the day. fenderwell headers, it was nearly all that was available. The hood has adjustment similar to the fenders, oval holes for and aft a 1/4 or so...Take pictures for reference, take measurements from a known "clean car" it will work out just fine. The manufacturing of these cars was loose and not as precise as today.

 

[RedFish]

The most important part of the doghouse is the height of the inner fenders. If its too low or running downhill too steep, shims will bring the fender up. Inner fender too high or running uphill toward the front cant be shimmed down.
Worst I ever saw, right hood bump stop screwed up about as far as it would go, left hood bump stop screwed down low. The hood wouldn't tweak that far and didn't sit firm on that left stop.
That from my used car lot days. I can't remember what car it was.

 

[DesertRat]

All of the above plus the engine is offset to the right.