1981 Nose/hood alignment HELP
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2016
Posts: 872
Likes: 114
From: Round Hill Virginia
1981 Nose/hood alignment HELP
I've got a question for the group...
My 81 hood appears as if the middle (where it meets the nose) is 'diving' down. I believe the nose piece is actually lifted in center, which is giving this appearance of the gap etc. As if the front is being pinched and the center is coming up... I know there is a rod that connects the nose to the bottom part of the radiator support for support. I also have noticed that there seems to bee some sealant that helps hold everything down accross a support - that's deteriorated for the most part. Even if that were the only thing holding that down, it takes most of my body weight at 200lbs to get it flush with that support. No 'glue' is going to hold that down. My only thought is that the nose support rod can be adjusted some how to allow the nose in the middle to come down. There is a small 7/16" nut down by the radiator support then a rubber mount up top. HOW DO I FIX THIS???
My 81 hood appears as if the middle (where it meets the nose) is 'diving' down. I believe the nose piece is actually lifted in center, which is giving this appearance of the gap etc. As if the front is being pinched and the center is coming up... I know there is a rod that connects the nose to the bottom part of the radiator support for support. I also have noticed that there seems to bee some sealant that helps hold everything down accross a support - that's deteriorated for the most part. Even if that were the only thing holding that down, it takes most of my body weight at 200lbs to get it flush with that support. No 'glue' is going to hold that down. My only thought is that the nose support rod can be adjusted some how to allow the nose in the middle to come down. There is a small 7/16" nut down by the radiator support then a rubber mount up top. HOW DO I FIX THIS???
Racer
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 337
Likes: 6
St. Jude Donor '16
The fiberglass has disbonded from the structure below...I used Lord Fusor 320/322 epoxy adhesive to effect a repair.... I did this repair about 7 years ago on my '81 and it is still holding today...(I used clamps and caul plates to put everything in position while the glue set up)...Good Luck!
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 19,294
Likes: 2,753
From: Charlotte NC
I have repaired this problem numerous times.
nix1981.....basically where do you live...because you have not filled out your 'public profile'...so I (we) would at least know what state you live in....because if the car is SUPER COLD ...the panel is going to react differently than if you live in the deep south where it is hot now.
IF the panel and support beam is PROPERLY prepped...the adhesive will hold it....BUT...that is also depending if this car has been whacked in the front in a previous accident.
Some people will pump stuff in the gap and clamp it and let it go. Their choice...and '4SPDL81'...I am NOT implying that is what you did.
I myself ...because I do Corvette repair...would HAVE TO remove the support beam and headlight assemblies and bond it back in that way....because I HAVE to warranty my work and I do not have time to do things twice.
DUB
nix1981.....basically where do you live...because you have not filled out your 'public profile'...so I (we) would at least know what state you live in....because if the car is SUPER COLD ...the panel is going to react differently than if you live in the deep south where it is hot now.
IF the panel and support beam is PROPERLY prepped...the adhesive will hold it....BUT...that is also depending if this car has been whacked in the front in a previous accident.
Some people will pump stuff in the gap and clamp it and let it go. Their choice...and '4SPDL81'...I am NOT implying that is what you did.
I myself ...because I do Corvette repair...would HAVE TO remove the support beam and headlight assemblies and bond it back in that way....because I HAVE to warranty my work and I do not have time to do things twice.
DUB
Last edited by DUB; Apr 17, 2016 at 07:02 PM.
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 19,294
Likes: 2,753
From: Charlotte NC
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2016
Posts: 872
Likes: 114
From: Round Hill Virginia
Revisiting this thread - 1) does the bumper extension that bolts to the frame have any adjustment for bring the nose up or down??? I read on old post (circa '06) that this was done.
2) Also, was wondering of a good quality adhesive that i can/should use for re-bonding the fiberglass back to the support one i get it where it needs to be. Preferably something in a tube??? What I've found is what's mentioned above Lord Fusor 320/322 (which does not seem to be readily available, ebay, amazon, etc.), Lord Fusor 127EZ (which seems to be for plastic, but people reference it), and 3M 8115. Thoughts on any of these?
2) Also, was wondering of a good quality adhesive that i can/should use for re-bonding the fiberglass back to the support one i get it where it needs to be. Preferably something in a tube??? What I've found is what's mentioned above Lord Fusor 320/322 (which does not seem to be readily available, ebay, amazon, etc.), Lord Fusor 127EZ (which seems to be for plastic, but people reference it), and 3M 8115. Thoughts on any of these?
Last edited by nix1981; Oct 17, 2016 at 12:54 PM. Reason: Adhesive information
