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Head light bar- bonded?

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Old Aug 25, 2009 | 08:11 AM
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Default Head light bar- bonded?

I am looking at my headlight bar, the bar that is on the underside of the top of the nose just before the hood. The headlight actuators attach to it along with some wiring loom. It appears to be bolted through the inner fenderwell. My question, is this piece bonded to the nose structure or is it simply bolted in? Mine is rusted and needs replacement, but I am not in a position right now to undertake bige project of dismantling the front end. Besides, I'm afraid if I do that I'll get the "while I'm in here" virus, next thing you know the body is off...

Thank you in advance.
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Old Aug 25, 2009 | 08:45 AM
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If you are talking about the part between the hood and headlights...yes the fibreglass is bonded to the steel.

They are known to separate there. Its why some have problems with alignment of the hood and headlights hitting on the back side when they are raised.

Jim
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Old Aug 25, 2009 | 05:37 PM
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Mine is partially separated on the passenger side. What is the correct fix?
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Old Aug 25, 2009 | 07:40 PM
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Mine is also separated so I have some epoxy ordered for the repair. Just stick a paint paddle between the body and the bar to keep some space open while you squirt the epoxy in between. Use rubber or plastic C-clamps with a rag for padding on the body and clamp it for 24 hrs.
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Old Aug 25, 2009 | 08:28 PM
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If I were to fix mine I would use 3M #8115. It's a bonding adhesive recommended for metal to SMC. I will be doing this for my door that is partially separated.
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Old Aug 25, 2009 | 08:33 PM
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Originally Posted by movinup
Mine is also separated so I have some epoxy ordered for the repair. Just stick a paint paddle between the body and the bar to keep some space open while you squirt the epoxy in between. Use rubber or plastic C-clamps with a rag for padding on the body and clamp it for 24 hrs.
Grandmaster Corvette recommends preparing the metal properly before epoxy, or it won't hold for too long, according to him. He really seems to know his way around a Vette body.
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Old Aug 26, 2009 | 06:46 AM
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Sundevil64;

What year car are you talking about? There are significant differences between 68-72, and 73 and later cars in that area. The repair process, depending on what is wrong, may also be different.

You aren't talking about a 64, are you?
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Old Aug 26, 2009 | 07:03 AM
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Sorry, I guess I should clarify. The car I am referring to is a 74.
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Old Aug 26, 2009 | 11:38 AM
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That makes life a bit easier. Chevy did away with the rivets in 1973, so the header bar is simply bonded to the fiberglass.

If you need to replace it, it will have to be "broken loose", which isn;t as hard as it sounds. It is, however, a significant undertaking.

If the whole thing has to come out, it is a job.

A number of others have posted possible solutions to rebonding one that is partially loose. The Corvette body man that I trust most just mixes up sone fiberglass resin, then adds finely cut up fiberglass mat to the mix, and uses that as his bonding agent.

Get everything clean first.
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Old Aug 26, 2009 | 12:12 PM
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Originally Posted by emccomas
...The Corvette body man that I trust most just mixes up sone fiberglass resin, then adds finely cut up fiberglass mat to the mix, and uses that as his bonding agent...
That works provided the materials used are compatible with the type of fiberglass of the panels. The old polyester resins will work with the older cars, but will not adhere to SMC panels.

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Old Aug 28, 2009 | 04:48 PM
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Can you just cut the body and clean under the nose then bond it back together and then glue it down?
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