Strange Nose Issue
Thread Starter
3rd Gear
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
Strange Nose Issue
Hi All,
This is my first post to the forum, thanks for having me!
I am the original owner of a 1980 L82 Corvette with 16000 miles. recently I have noticed the area between the headlights and just forward of the hood is raising up and interfering with the headlight buckets, actually wearing the paint off in the corners (see link for photos) also, a 3/4 gap is now present between the hood and facia. Strange. Any idea why this is happening? The car has never been hit or in an accident. It is garaged and rarely used.
Your input is appreciated.
Thanks
David
http://s1333.photobucket.com/user/ds...cbef.jpeg.html
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 6,842
Likes: 285
From: Palmdale CA
Wow, that is strange! And that is a pretty big gap too! I think you've got some kind of slow motion deformation going on. I'd be checking to see if any of the mounting bolts for that area are allowing movement upwards. If you don't see any obvious metal wear, where the bolts or hardware have moved, then I'd be looking at adjusting the nose downwards (if that's possible, others, please chime in).
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 38,923
Likes: 1,481
From: Southbound
Cruise-In II Veteran
The head light support reinforcement (metal bar where the headlight supports bolt up) needs to be rebonded to the hood surround panel. Your pic with the hood partially open shows the reinforcement. If you look on the backside of the hood surround panel, you will see where it was bonded.
Last edited by Easy Mike; Apr 10, 2013 at 01:10 PM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 3,264
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From: Vero Beach FL
Looks like you can see the header bar separated in one of the photos.
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2000
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From: Southbound
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Race Director
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From: Compound in the Grove, Ga.
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Seen this happen before, take it to a good Corvette guy and get it re-bonded. Good luck
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Thread Starter
3rd Gear
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 3
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Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 38,923
Likes: 1,481
From: Southbound
Cruise-In II Veteran
Safety Car
Joined: Feb 2012
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From: Orlando FL
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 2,096
Likes: 15
It is best to remove the headlights and un bolt the reinforcement so you can get rid of the old glue. At the same time scrape off the glue from underneath so you have a nice bonding surface. The clamps I used were the large Quick Grips with the stem facing upward. They already come with a padded pad and I didn't use anything else. No marks whatsoever.
Instructor
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 197
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Good luck to the OP, and a question for the assembled:
Is this (potential) problem something that can and should be part of any purchase decision? In other words, can this be identified by pressing down on the hood surround, or light buckets, and looking for movement?
If so, how much pressure (10lbs.? 30lbs?) is enough to test, but won't harm a healthy car? How much movement (if any) in a healthy car is acceptable?
And I saw "glue" mentioned. I would have thought resin and woven roving would be the fix. What is the glue, exactly?
Thanks.
Is this (potential) problem something that can and should be part of any purchase decision? In other words, can this be identified by pressing down on the hood surround, or light buckets, and looking for movement?
If so, how much pressure (10lbs.? 30lbs?) is enough to test, but won't harm a healthy car? How much movement (if any) in a healthy car is acceptable?
And I saw "glue" mentioned. I would have thought resin and woven roving would be the fix. What is the glue, exactly?
Thanks.
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 38,923
Likes: 1,481
From: Southbound
Cruise-In II Veteran
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 2,096
Likes: 15
I used a two part structural adhesive that needs a special applicator gun so it mixes it evenly. Basically the same stuff that was applied at the factory. This only pertains to the 80-82. Not for sure about the late 70s but the early cars used rivets.
Safety Car
Joined: Feb 2012
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From: Orlando FL
Last edited by oldgto; Apr 11, 2013 at 07:16 PM.