Need help with front end.
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 518
Likes: 77
From: Kings Park NY
Need help with front end.
I'm in the middle of repairing the header bar, headlight actuatior supports and nose support bar.
Most of the original was rotted out. Somebody from the past globbed bondo in place I guess to replace the missing nose bar. I don't understand why because the actuator supports were just hanging and thats why my headlights drooped.
Does anybody have any experience on what the process is putting this back together again. I have all the parts along with the panel adhesive.
It looks like the nose bar gets riveted in, and the header bar get glued in using panel adhesive and then the actuator supports get bolted to the nose bar and header bar. I think?
Am I missing something besides my favorite corvette beverage and my sanity.
Most of the original was rotted out. Somebody from the past globbed bondo in place I guess to replace the missing nose bar. I don't understand why because the actuator supports were just hanging and thats why my headlights drooped.
Does anybody have any experience on what the process is putting this back together again. I have all the parts along with the panel adhesive.
It looks like the nose bar gets riveted in, and the header bar get glued in using panel adhesive and then the actuator supports get bolted to the nose bar and header bar. I think?
Am I missing something besides my favorite corvette beverage and my sanity.
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 38,923
Likes: 1,481
From: Southbound
Cruise-In II Veteran
...Am I missing something besides my favorite corvette beverage...
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 518
Likes: 77
From: Kings Park NY
I'm going to have to stock up as this is going to be a long weekend. 
Would it be wise is also use panel ahdesive between the glasss and he nose bar? or is that just overkill?
Is there any drawings on this, I couldn't find anythin in the assembly manual. On the line it may have been a sub assemby.
Would it be wise is also use panel ahdesive between the glasss and he nose bar? or is that just overkill?
Is there any drawings on this, I couldn't find anythin in the assembly manual. On the line it may have been a sub assemby.
Racer
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 364
Likes: 0
From: Flower Mound TX
I used adhesive and rivets when I put the nose bar on my 72. It does get messy doing it that way with the squeeze out. I think you would have to put the nose support in after the larger support bar.
I found that the existing holes int he glass were elongated and that threw alignment off alittle but the bumper supports on the end helped me align it.
I did not have to replace the support bar, so no help there. possibly you could use the inner fender support which I assume used a bracket to connect toward each end of that support bar as help to align it.
I found that the existing holes int he glass were elongated and that threw alignment off alittle but the bumper supports on the end helped me align it.
I did not have to replace the support bar, so no help there. possibly you could use the inner fender support which I assume used a bracket to connect toward each end of that support bar as help to align it.
Safety Car
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 4,705
Likes: 983
From: Orlando FL
When I did mine, the front clip was off the car. Mine also had the rivet bumps found on the early 70s cars. When I put the new nose brace and header bar back in, I used only the panel glue, and a lot of clamps. I put a board on the top side as recommended by Willcox. It worked great!
Safety Car
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 4,705
Likes: 983
From: Orlando FL
I should clarify....
when I removed the header, front brace, and dug out the rivets, the clip was off the car.
When I replaced the header, and front brace, the clip was on the car, as you can see in the picture.
Yes, you will need a lot of clamps! I picked up some different kinds, and the deep ones came in real handy in the corners. On the outside ones, the board didn`t cover it because of the curve of the fender, so the long clamps were used there, and in the center.
when I removed the header, front brace, and dug out the rivets, the clip was off the car.
When I replaced the header, and front brace, the clip was on the car, as you can see in the picture.
Yes, you will need a lot of clamps! I picked up some different kinds, and the deep ones came in real handy in the corners. On the outside ones, the board didn`t cover it because of the curve of the fender, so the long clamps were used there, and in the center.
Last edited by oldgto; Oct 26, 2012 at 09:32 PM.
