More progress and yet another problem...
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 2,609
Likes: 12
From: Massapequa Park NY
More progress and yet another problem...
Last week I pulled the passenger side fender off because the nose was made wrong. This week I got the nose in position & the fender attached with some screws, & the hood line up. 
Then we go to put the lower valence back in position and it is now somehow an inch to short 
WTF, didn't break it when it came off, even left the bonding strip on one side.
That's when I gave up for the day & went home for a cold one.
Anyone have a lower front valence they can measure the length as a comparison?
Here's a few new pics.
Jim
Then we go to put the lower valence back in position and it is now somehow an inch to short WTF, didn't break it when it came off, even left the bonding strip on one side. That's when I gave up for the day & went home for a cold one.
Anyone have a lower front valence they can measure the length as a comparison? Here's a few new pics.
Jim
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 31,200
Likes: 4,287
From: Westminster Maryland
Hi BB,
When you dropped the fender down it changed it's position where it meets the front of the inner fender. Did that move the bottom of the fender out?
Can you cut the other side of the valance loose and split the inch side to side?
Have you checked the fit of the front grill on the right side yet?
No answers, just questions.
Regards,
Alan
I ONCE had a part fit right the FIRST time, then I realized I was putting it on WRONG.
When you dropped the fender down it changed it's position where it meets the front of the inner fender. Did that move the bottom of the fender out?
Can you cut the other side of the valance loose and split the inch side to side?
Have you checked the fit of the front grill on the right side yet?
No answers, just questions.
Regards,
Alan
I ONCE had a part fit right the FIRST time, then I realized I was putting it on WRONG.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 2,609
Likes: 12
From: Massapequa Park NY
Hi BB,
When you dropped the fender down it changed it's position where it meets the front of the inner fender. Did that move the bottom of the fender out?
Can you cut the other side of the valance loose and split the inch side to side?
Have you checked the fit of the front grill on the right side yet?
No answers, just questions.
Regards,
Alan
I ONCE had a part fit right the FIRST time, then I realized I was putting it on WRONG.
When you dropped the fender down it changed it's position where it meets the front of the inner fender. Did that move the bottom of the fender out?
Can you cut the other side of the valance loose and split the inch side to side?
Have you checked the fit of the front grill on the right side yet?
No answers, just questions.
Regards,
Alan
I ONCE had a part fit right the FIRST time, then I realized I was putting it on WRONG.
Thanks Alan,
The valence is already completely removed from the nose. Was hoping someone had one they could measure as a comparison. Since the fender was bonded on wrong I wanted to make sure this wasn't made wrong also.
I suspect the skirts are siting to low and pushing the fenders out at the bottom.
It sure is testing me at the moment
Jim
Former Vendor
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 2,092
Likes: 2
From: walpole ma
Hi BB,
When you dropped the fender down it changed it's position where it meets the front of the inner fender. Did that move the bottom of the fender out?
Can you cut the other side of the valance loose and split the inch side to side?
Have you checked the fit of the front grill on the right side yet?
No answers, just questions.
Regards,
Alan
I ONCE had a part fit right the FIRST time, then I realized I was putting it on WRONG.
When you dropped the fender down it changed it's position where it meets the front of the inner fender. Did that move the bottom of the fender out?
Can you cut the other side of the valance loose and split the inch side to side?
Have you checked the fit of the front grill on the right side yet?
No answers, just questions.
Regards,
Alan
I ONCE had a part fit right the FIRST time, then I realized I was putting it on WRONG.
That is a good start to start figuring out the problem. Moving the fender can change it's position in relation to the inner fender moving it out and thus making the lower valance seem too short.
Last edited by Road-Race Vette; Mar 17, 2009 at 12:31 PM.
CF JASOC Member
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 8,040
Likes: 34
From: Downtown Annapolis, MD. The Future is where we all have to live. Let's not screw it up.
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 2,609
Likes: 12
From: Massapequa Park NY
The front of the skirt is hitting the fender about 3/4" lower than the body line. That's pushing the fenders apart at the bottom. The center bumper bracket wont bolt up either. I'll be back this weekend hopefully making some more adjustments. Maybe then I'll be able to sleep without thinking about what's not lined up right
Thanks
Jim
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 2,609
Likes: 12
From: Massapequa Park NY
Now I know why Stan & many other restoration shops buy the parts & assemble the nose on the car.
Jim
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)
Joe Kucinski
Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!
Brett Foote
Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know
Joe Kucinski
5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2
Michael S. Palmer
2027 Corvette vs The World: Every C8 vs Its Closest Competitor
Joe Kucinski
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 31,200
Likes: 4,287
From: Westminster Maryland
Hi Jim,
These cars are SO different from each other that it really does take someone with Stan's ability and patience to get things to fit (and fit beautifully) body after body. Ordinary people are in for the ride of their life.
Regards,
Alan
These cars are SO different from each other that it really does take someone with Stan's ability and patience to get things to fit (and fit beautifully) body after body. Ordinary people are in for the ride of their life.
Regards,
Alan
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 5,485
Likes: 7
From: Peekskill NY
While we're on the subject of body alignment and variations from car to car, I've noticed on quite a few pics taken directly center in the front that sometimes the body seems off center, where one tire is aligning even with the fender edge and the other is inward a bit. Is this typical? Was quality control that bad back then?
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 2,387
Likes: 123
From: CA.
While we're on the subject of body alignment and variations from car to car, I've noticed on quite a few pics taken directly center in the front that sometimes the body seems off center, where one tire is aligning even with the fender edge and the other is inward a bit. Is this typical? Was quality control that bad back then?
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 2,609
Likes: 12
From: Massapequa Park NY
I took a drive to a buddy's house last night & took some detailed measurements of his car to compare. Found a few little things different that would help & one big problem that I hadn't noticed on mine.
They installed the hood hinges backwards
I think this causes a bigger gap between the skirt & hood and is why the skirts are to low pushing the bottom of the fenders apart. No one was at the shop early this morning so for now I'm keeping my fingers crossed.
As far as the wheel to fender issue I believe that is due to wheel & body alignment.
Jim
Former Vendor
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 2,092
Likes: 2
From: walpole ma
Every one of these cars is different in fit, so when you are restoring one , you have to address each fitment issue as it pertains to that particular car. It does take time, patience and many small adjustments to get it right. Of course, having experience in soving issues with these cars does help in the time consumption part of it, but there is no guarantee of things always going smoothly, considering how much variance there is car to car and part to part.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 2,609
Likes: 12
From: Massapequa Park NY
Never mind, the hinges are on correctly:o grasping at stays I guess. Stan, I only wish I had your experience & ability. I'd have this car done already. Stopped at the shop at lunch time & compared some measurements. It's very close & I see a few places that need to be tweaked. I'm confident I'll get it in place on Sat morning, (may have to call you again though 
). Of course now I have another suit that needs to go to the cleaners. At least my wife got all the dust off of my tie from the other day
Jim
). Of course now I have another suit that needs to go to the cleaners. At least my wife got all the dust off of my tie from the other day Jim
Former Vendor
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 2,092
Likes: 2
From: walpole ma
Never mind, the hinges are on correctly:o grasping at stays I guess. Stan, I only wish I had your experience & ability. I'd have this car done already. Stopped at the shop at lunch time & compared some measurements. It's very close & I see a few places that need to be tweaked. I'm confident I'll get it in place on Sat morning, (may have to call you again though ). Of course now I have another suit that needs to go to the cleaners. At least my wife got all the dust off of my tie from the other day
Jim
). Of course now I have another suit that needs to go to the cleaners. At least my wife got all the dust off of my tie from the other day Jim
That's fine Jim, give me a call if you have any questions