Help! 1970 front clip removal?
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 2,202
Likes: 15
From: Keswick Ontario
Help! 1970 front clip removal?
A friend is working on a 1970 454 coupe. the original front body work has had enough repair work done over the years that he has decided to put a new front clip on. Mainly because he is very picky.
The original bodywork is in pretty good condition really and certainly can be reused.
Question; what it the most efficient way to remove the original front clip. We have never done this before. Should we try to remove in one piece? Any special tricks or methods to detach from the birdcage etc?
Any help would be sincerely appreciated.
The original bodywork is in pretty good condition really and certainly can be reused.
Question; what it the most efficient way to remove the original front clip. We have never done this before. Should we try to remove in one piece? Any special tricks or methods to detach from the birdcage etc?
Any help would be sincerely appreciated.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 31,283
Likes: 4,374
From: Westminster Maryland
What sort of work needs to be done?
Perhaps it would be better to just replace some of the panels at the bonding strips. The reason to take the whole clip off would be to put a 1 piece front end on. Is that what he intends to do?
The original front clip is made of 3 main pieces and the inner fenders + the front valance panel.
Regards,
Alan
Perhaps it would be better to just replace some of the panels at the bonding strips. The reason to take the whole clip off would be to put a 1 piece front end on. Is that what he intends to do?
The original front clip is made of 3 main pieces and the inner fenders + the front valance panel.
Regards,
Alan
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 31,283
Likes: 4,374
From: Westminster Maryland
There's lots more experience than I have. But I read the words heat-gun and putty knife often.
Regards,
Alan
PS: Does your friend realize that for some people the 1 piece clip affects the value of the car in some cases?
Regards,
Alan
PS: Does your friend realize that for some people the 1 piece clip affects the value of the car in some cases?
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 2,877
Likes: 13
From: Doha
St. Jude Donor '08
I think it would be easy to pry the fiber glass panels off the firewall because the factory glue is already dried out, my '71 has few places on the front clip that it just left off the firewall by itself! .. a 40 years old glue is diffenately wont be a problem to remove.
Safety Car
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 3,729
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From: Austin Texas
Corvette of the Year Winner 2017
2016 C3 of Year Finalist
the old glue you see is loose, but hopfully the hidden stuff is still intake.
use a heat gun to preheat an area, and split the seams,
you will see the factory seams and just follow them,
done properly, it will fit together like a jig saw puzzle.
I did it with motor out which makes much easier. 69VETT
use a heat gun to preheat an area, and split the seams,
you will see the factory seams and just follow them,
done properly, it will fit together like a jig saw puzzle.
I did it with motor out which makes much easier. 69VETT
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Racer
Joined: Sep 2007
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Front Clip Install
I've seen several post and projects on removing a front clip. I've seen the clip after it was attached to the fire wall but haven't seen any on the actual install process. Is this a one man job
? Just slap some glue on the seams and hold in place for 5 mins
? Anyone care to show us (me) how? 
327 Sig Site Octopus 68-69
charlie
? Just slap some glue on the seams and hold in place for 5 mins? Anyone care to show us (me) how? 327 Sig Site Octopus 68-69
charlie
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 4,102
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From: Forsyth Illinois
Where's grayville?I don't have the pics of going thru it,but can walk you threw it,or if you arn't too far....help you threw it.I have done several by myself,but a REAL pain in the azz.I'm right beside Decatur.
I'm right beside Decatur.
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 38,923
Likes: 1,482
From: Southbound
Cruise-In II Veteran
Maybe. The process is more involved than you might think. You could possibly do it on your own, but I'd be willing to bet you'd appreciate a buddy or two during the process.
These will help:
http://www.glas-ra.com/v3_4.html
Good luck.
These will help:
http://www.glas-ra.com/v3_4.html
Good luck.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2007
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From: Peekskill NY
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2004
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From: Piscataway NJ
Race Director
Joined: Feb 1999
Posts: 16,978
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From: In Dreams There Is Truth Ohio
Not a one man job two, three, even four will be better...the majority of the work will be mock up, trial fit, measurement by frame location, etc. More hands to move the front clip for trial fit the easier it is..when you mix the bonding compound, don't use too much hardner as it will cure to fast...you need time to position the clip so the fit is right on...
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 8,117
Likes: 104
From: charlotte north carolina
i've installed two clips, one was a one-piece from ecklers and the other was a surround/fender factory style. so, i'm far from an expert but i've done enough to discover all the things that can go bad.
first thing to think about is the alignment betwen the nose horse collar, the front bumper and the glass. since the horse collar is bolted to the front crossmember and has only limited adjustment, the clip must be aligned to the collar to make the bumper fit. then the hood has to align with the wiper door(if it has one) or the windshield. adjustments on the frame extensions which further confuse the issue. once you get the nose positioned properly, bonding the thing in place is easy, but be prepared to remove and replace it several times to get the position that you want.
first thing to think about is the alignment betwen the nose horse collar, the front bumper and the glass. since the horse collar is bolted to the front crossmember and has only limited adjustment, the clip must be aligned to the collar to make the bumper fit. then the hood has to align with the wiper door(if it has one) or the windshield. adjustments on the frame extensions which further confuse the issue. once you get the nose positioned properly, bonding the thing in place is easy, but be prepared to remove and replace it several times to get the position that you want.
Team Owner
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From: Southbound
Cruise-In II Veteran
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2005
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From: East Waterboro Maine
Edit - sorry, I missed that the clip was already off. I too would be interested to learn more about the install procedure.
----
I pulled the front clip off my 71, as well as the firewall, and it's quite the undertaking.
I have most of the process documented on my website here: http://www.corvette-restoration.com/...ip_removal.htm
Granted, my body was already off the frame which simplifies the process a bit, but it'll give you an idea of what's required. I haven't gotten to reinstalling the clip yet so I can't help there.
Good luck!
----
I pulled the front clip off my 71, as well as the firewall, and it's quite the undertaking.
I have most of the process documented on my website here: http://www.corvette-restoration.com/...ip_removal.htm
Granted, my body was already off the frame which simplifies the process a bit, but it'll give you an idea of what's required. I haven't gotten to reinstalling the clip yet so I can't help there.
Good luck!
Last edited by Maine Vette; Jan 8, 2009 at 12:57 PM.