Pulling front clip off 73. Any Advice/ Tips?
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 1,131
Likes: 106
From: laingsburg MI
2020 C3 of the Year Finalist - Modified
Pulling front clip off 73. Any Advice/ Tips?
Gonna pull the front clip off my 73 next week Been looking at if carefully. Does the frame extensions need to be unbolted first? Also, I am going to make a flip front out of it. I bought 70-72 front fenders, wheel opening back & am going to convert to the cheese grater grills! I am excited to do this but need to take the front off first. (then body)
thanks in advance,
jim
thanks in advance,
jim
Racer
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 294
Likes: 0
From: cincinnati oh
I would pull both doors off if you don't have that done already. It would be very difficult to chisel the old front end off from inside the engine compartment. Also invest in a heavy duty 1.5" putty knife to cut through the adheasive holding it on the firewall. I also used and old steak knife to "saw" through the stubborn areas. The key is to GO SLOW and be carefull. Every "oops" is more body work for you!
To answer your question, I would take all the brackets that attach the fiberglass to the frame, but leave the front bumper support (that connects the frame rails) on. Those other pieces just get in the way.
To answer your question, I would take all the brackets that attach the fiberglass to the frame, but leave the front bumper support (that connects the frame rails) on. Those other pieces just get in the way.
Instructor
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 229
Likes: 7
From: west point ga usa
73 I agree on removing the doors and putty knife. The seams will seperate easier if you use a heatgun to heat the seam first. I had no damage to the fiberglass when I removed mine. I couldn't imagine chiseling without the heat although I'm sure it can be done. Take your time and it should come out pretty good. I also removed both front tires to aid in removal of the clip. Yoiu won't have to lift it so high to clear the tires with the inner fenders.
