hoss82

My front clip on my 82 is misaligned with my hood, and one head light. It looks to be separating from the brace near the front of the hood, but just in the middle section of the clip, about 18" of it. The car shows evidence of previous front end collision. I was wondering if someone could give me a plan of attack for repairing this.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

rebel542

My 79 was just like that when I bought it 30 some years ago. I used SEM 39747 bonding agent on it and it held for years till I hit a deer. It's nice to have that double barreled calking gun but you can mix it by hand.

rebel542

It should go without saying but make sure you clamp it down after you apply the bonding agent and let it sit for a day.

hoss82

Thanks for the replies guys. Do I need to strip out any of the old bonding agent? Is there a write up on how to do this procedure anywhere?

SB64

You can check out my post . It has a lot of pictures and info that may help you. Not the whole post but back until you start to see front clip work.
ZIO

DUB

IT would be wise to do it. Which means the beam needs to come out so your can bond it back in place again. if you pump adhesive in the area ...there is a chance that it will hold for some time...but it depends on how well you can actually prep both surfaces.

i had a complete write-up on my computer but it got lost when the computer crashed. I have done this numerous times and can talk you through it.

I will not be available to talk for a short while. SO...if you are interested in me talking you through this...PM me and I will give you my shop phone number when I get back.

If you find a write up...then all I can say is be careful in how you position the beam and the thickness of the adhesive.

DUB

hoss82

Thank you DUB, I'm a little leery of taking my car apart, but what the heck. I've had it for 20 years. Time to whip this thing into shape.

DUB

I am back...if you want to PM me..I can get you my number.

The choice is yours.

DUB

rebel542

I just sanded mine with 220 enough to get the dirt off. Make sure you apply agent to the front and rear of the header bar if it's broke loose in both places. It won't take much.

DUB

YEAH....I AGREE...and I hope your repair lasts a long time for you. but honestly if the panel has let loose...it let loose due to a 'problem' ( obviously). And on the 1973 and later models ( if my memory serves me correctly)....when the steel headlight support is being bonded to the top hood surround directly.

If it lets loose due to rust...and you can see the adhesive still stuck to the top hood surround. And see the surface of the steel support....and it is rusty. Scuffing it and blowing it clean with air may work for a while.

DUB

hoss82

The second picture from the top shows that there is some black stuff in there. It looks like it let go of the fiberglass side. The car was in a front end collision at some point. Enough force to give the top of the wheel well a 2" vertical crack.

DUB

I replied to you PM due to your phone number seems to be incorrect.

If you are still wanting this repaired....PM me again.

IF you are absolutely POSITIVE that the adhesive let loose off of the panel and IS STILL on the steel support. Adhesive can be injected and clamped. BUT it also depends if the top hood surround has let loose behind the headlight area.....where trying to inject that area and PREP IT is VERY HARD to do if not almost impossible.

DUB