Body Questions
Thread Starter
4th Gear
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
From: White Hall AR
Body Questions
I just got my first and possibly last Vette in my shop. Every shop in the county has turned down this job.... I dont know if that makes me brave or stupid
It is a '77 and need the whole front end put on it. What is the best way to go about taking the old one off without tearing every thing up under it? And what is the best thing to use to put it back on? The Ins. Co figured replacing the top half and the rt lower section... That would mean saving the left fender and attaching it to the new parts. Is it possible to do that with out tearing it up. Also if anyone has a shop and does this kind of work How many hours would you figure in replacing the whole front cap?
I have a ton more Questions if somebody is willing to let me learn.
It is a '77 and need the whole front end put on it. What is the best way to go about taking the old one off without tearing every thing up under it? And what is the best thing to use to put it back on? The Ins. Co figured replacing the top half and the rt lower section... That would mean saving the left fender and attaching it to the new parts. Is it possible to do that with out tearing it up. Also if anyone has a shop and does this kind of work How many hours would you figure in replacing the whole front cap? I have a ton more Questions if somebody is willing to let me learn.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 807
Likes: 0
From: VA
Heres a forum members site....doing an awsome restore....cant get much more detail then his site!
http://www.corvette-restoration.com/...ip_removal.htm
Good luck!
http://www.corvette-restoration.com/...ip_removal.htm
Good luck!
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 38,923
Likes: 1,481
From: Southbound
Cruise-In II Veteran
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 1,438
Likes: 2
From: Melrose Florida
The front end of a C3 is basically 6 individual pieces of molded fiberglass, bonded together and onto a skeleton.
Hood surround
Left Fender
Left inner fender
Right Fender
Right inner fender
Front valance
The panels are joined together by bonding strips overlapping the joint on the inside, using an adhesive. I like Lord Fusor 148.
The panels are joined to the car by bonding strips on structural supports, at the firewall, behind the front wheels; and the inner fenders are bolted to the radiator core support.
The ins. agent is recommending an interesting repair...preserving the intact fender. Certainly doable, but will take some finesse...cutting about 1/4' deep along the bonding strip between the hood surround and the intact fender.
Steve
Hood surround
Left Fender
Left inner fender
Right Fender
Right inner fender
Front valance
The panels are joined together by bonding strips overlapping the joint on the inside, using an adhesive. I like Lord Fusor 148.
The panels are joined to the car by bonding strips on structural supports, at the firewall, behind the front wheels; and the inner fenders are bolted to the radiator core support.
The ins. agent is recommending an interesting repair...preserving the intact fender. Certainly doable, but will take some finesse...cutting about 1/4' deep along the bonding strip between the hood surround and the intact fender.
Steve
Racer
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 398
Likes: 0
From: Sacramento California
I believe there is a one piece front clip available (Ecklers.com?) and going this route may save $ in labor costs over just replacing a portion of the structure. Not sure though. I do know that billable hours in a body shop add up quick!
Racer
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 251
Likes: 3
From: Louisville Kentucky
I agree
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 31,211
Likes: 4,300
From: Westminster Maryland
RJ,
There's a fellow named Stan (Road Race Vette) on this Forum who knows a thing or two (or three) about working on Corvettes as a profession. Contact him... I bet he'll give you some guidance and info as to what's facing you.
Regards,
Alan
There's a fellow named Stan (Road Race Vette) on this Forum who knows a thing or two (or three) about working on Corvettes as a profession. Contact him... I bet he'll give you some guidance and info as to what's facing you.
Regards,
Alan
Former Vendor
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 905
Likes: 5
From: Sylvania OH
You could get the one-piece front clip and front lower valance from us, as well.
Our parts are hand-laminated and we can build you a complete front clip within 5-10 days.
Let me know if I can get you a quote!
Our parts are hand-laminated and we can build you a complete front clip within 5-10 days.
Let me know if I can get you a quote!
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Drifting
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 1,289
Likes: 3
From: East Waterboro Maine
For removal I highly recommend using a heat gun to soften the bonding compound holding the front clip in place, this will make removal a lot easier.
It may make sense to just replace the entire front clip... Of course that's quite a bit of work as well.
Good luck!
It may make sense to just replace the entire front clip... Of course that's quite a bit of work as well.
Good luck!
Thread Starter
4th Gear
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
From: White Hall AR
Yes Flyinfree Recommended the heat gun as well. I separated the messed up rt fender and it didnt seem to bad but I think I would rather go with a whole clip.
American Custom, I have heard good things about your stuff. And will be purchasing from you. I priced your stuff from Corvette Central but someone told me I could get it through you at a Jobber/Wholesale rate. P.M. me some contact info. I will prolly get ahold of you next week.
The Ins. Co wrote a $6200 estimate earlier this week and I just finished a $3900 supplement today. With the adjusted part prices. That is splitting it up in pieces like they wanted me to do. $5700 in parts and 75 labor hours
Looks like its gonna be a job.
American Custom, I have heard good things about your stuff. And will be purchasing from you. I priced your stuff from Corvette Central but someone told me I could get it through you at a Jobber/Wholesale rate. P.M. me some contact info. I will prolly get ahold of you next week.
The Ins. Co wrote a $6200 estimate earlier this week and I just finished a $3900 supplement today. With the adjusted part prices. That is splitting it up in pieces like they wanted me to do. $5700 in parts and 75 labor hours
Looks like its gonna be a job.
Thread Starter
4th Gear
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
From: White Hall AR
Yes I will be buying these. Everyone else around refused to work on this car.... If it turns out not to be to bad I might have a new side line
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 38,923
Likes: 1,481
From: Southbound
Cruise-In II Veteran
A one piece front end will save you time, but check with your customer. If he/she has future plans to have the car judged, the one-piece will cost him/her points.
I'm surprised the insurance company didn't total this one.
I'm surprised the insurance company didn't total this one.
Last edited by Easy Mike; Sep 19, 2009 at 11:12 AM.
Thread Starter
4th Gear
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
From: White Hall AR
I was very surprised they didnt total it too. The ins. Co told me it was worth 16k though
I will find out from the customer for sure before I do anything. But I do not believe he shows it or will. It has no carpet in the car just floor mats and the paint is pretty ruff IMO (trash, paint on rubber and you can see where it tried to wrinkle in places) One thing is for sure once I paint the front he is gonna want the whole thing done.
I will find out from the customer for sure before I do anything. But I do not believe he shows it or will. It has no carpet in the car just floor mats and the paint is pretty ruff IMO (trash, paint on rubber and you can see where it tried to wrinkle in places) One thing is for sure once I paint the front he is gonna want the whole thing done.