This is really a question directed to GT350Clone, I noticed in the photos of your engine compartment that used bolt holes or mounting holes seem to be plugged or capped. How did you do this and where did you find them?

I have not put several things back into the engine compartment of mine and keep staring at these stupid holes. I plan to re-route wiring harnesses next year during the winter months to further clean up the engine bay. I want to fill these in to complete the clean look I have tried to create. Here is a photo of the bay in its current unfinished state,

http://www.dodgestang.com/DSC00705.JPG

I recognize the Gates heat shrink hose clamps, I was in the parts business when they were first introduced, really trick but nobody wanted to try them out. Did you purchase these from a local store or from an online source? The stores where I live do not carry these and are not real cooperative in ordering "special" items.

One more question, from the photos of your engine bay I cannot tell if you used the allen head bolts for the hood to hinge mounting and for the hinge to fenderwell. Are the bolts there just chromed, plated or stock, or did you use the same style as you did along the fender tops. I am a little concerned about not using a star waher to keep movement from becoming a problem. I did find a source online for stainless steel star washers, bolts look like they would be no problem at all.

Just in case it is a concern, I am not trying to "copy" the work or results of your work on your Mustang. :nono: I recognize the effort and the results of your efforts, :worship: I am just trying to finish mine in a way that can also be recognized for the efforts I have made. Thanks, Jeff

 

My local Ace hardware store has a full aisle of nuts, bolts and specialty fasteners, including small black plastic hole plugs and "christmas trees", as well as metal plugs that can be painted. Best of all, the little caps & plugs start at about $.05, so for $10 you can do a LOT! If I were building the car again, I'd weld those holes up, but it's not easy now! They also carry chrome fasteners, but they get pretty expensive. All my stuff is raw stainless - just chuck it in the drill, and spin thru some scotchbrite, then a rag with metal polish on it...

I've actually been able to buy the heat shrink clamps at both NAPA and Carquest. The local NAPA warehouse has a small retail store in the front of the building, and will pull anything from warehouse stock without waiting. I think Eastwood is carrying them now, as well as some of the streetrod vendors.

I used the allen bolts for all hood hinge-related fasteners. The finishing rings seem to work really well as a replacement for star washers. Haven't had any slippage problems so far.

Heck, if I wanted to keep mods secret, I sure wouldn't be posting pictures on the internet! As a fellow clone owner, I'm sure you can appreciate "imitation is the sincerest........" We're all just trying to the best we can!

 

Thanks, I do frequent the local Ace hardware store, I guess I just haven't pulled open the right drawer in the hardware section yet. I will try few not so local stores, there is one that has been in business a long time, supplies a lot of local repair shops, he may be the guy. Thanks again, Jeff

 

On the heat-shrink hose clamps, I got a new catalog from Yogi's last night. They have the clamps listed in the back of their catalog. Price was $3-$5 each, depending on size. The clamps aren't on Yogi's website (that I can find), but you could always call and order. Yogi's is a fairly large streetrod parts dealer, so they should be OK to deal with...

 

Thanks for the additional info, I will check with them.