Replacing Front End - Help..
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 9,429
Likes: 44
From: Macon, GA
Replacing Front Clip - Help..
I'm looking at replacing the entire front end of my '68 convertible with an ecklers one peice.
Question is - How much of a pain is this? Obviously it involves a lot of work, but what exactly do I need to expect?
Anyone here done this before?
Thanks
Question is - How much of a pain is this? Obviously it involves a lot of work, but what exactly do I need to expect?
Anyone here done this before?
Thanks
Last edited by sperkins; Apr 5, 2006 at 10:04 PM.
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 38,923
Likes: 1,481
From: Southbound
Cruise-In II Veteran
I replaced the doghouse on my '68 convertible with a one piece front end. The task is not particularly difficult, although you should expect to spend a long time doing the prep work. My advice would be to order two or three of the Corvette bodywork reference books the aftermarket providers sell. Eckler's book is pretty good, but my favorite (for reference purposes) is the Glas-Ra C3 manual. I would also obtain the '68 assembly instruction manual (AIM) and look through it. Personally, the task is easier for me if I use reference materials to familiarize myself with the job I am considering undertaking, get a good handle on what to expect, then make preparations to do the job.
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 9,429
Likes: 44
From: Macon, GA
Thanks for the info - I'll check it out.
I'm guessing by the lack of responses that either not many have done this, or are too scared to attempt it. How about this. Does anybody know of any shops in the middle Georgia area that would do it for me?
I'm guessing by the lack of responses that either not many have done this, or are too scared to attempt it. How about this. Does anybody know of any shops in the middle Georgia area that would do it for me?
Drifting
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 1,687
Likes: 200
From: Loveland, CO
I've done it twice and it is a daunting task.
Hardest part is multiple fittings on the body to get it right. I'm working on a '66 now with the Ecklers front clip. You don't want to grind down the bonding strips on the firewall too much to not have a strong bonding surface, but you have to grind a lot to get things to fit right. Also the hand laid clips are not of consistent thickness so you have to grind them at bonding points to fit properly.
I will never again use the bonding adhesives supposedly designed to bond on the clip. They harden in 5-8 minutes, and that is way too fast for me to get everything aligned correctly. The pros can do it, but not me. I will stick to Fusor or 3M adhesives in the future.
Ralph
Hardest part is multiple fittings on the body to get it right. I'm working on a '66 now with the Ecklers front clip. You don't want to grind down the bonding strips on the firewall too much to not have a strong bonding surface, but you have to grind a lot to get things to fit right. Also the hand laid clips are not of consistent thickness so you have to grind them at bonding points to fit properly.
I will never again use the bonding adhesives supposedly designed to bond on the clip. They harden in 5-8 minutes, and that is way too fast for me to get everything aligned correctly. The pros can do it, but not me. I will stick to Fusor or 3M adhesives in the future.
Ralph
Last edited by rponfick; Apr 6, 2006 at 10:39 AM.
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 9,429
Likes: 44
From: Macon, GA
Thanks Ralph. You hit on the key points I am concerned about. I don't have any assembly sheets and was wondering how many bonding points there are. Can you shed any lighton this for me?
Thanks again!
Thanks again!
Drifting
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 1,687
Likes: 200
From: Loveland, CO
I recommend the Ecklers book also. It has pictures of the bonding strips and hint on how to remove the old clip. Just don't get in a hurry and keep dry fitting the new front clip until you are happy with the fit.
Good luck. Ralph
Good luck. Ralph
Race Director
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 14,376
Likes: 1
From: Check this riff........
Hey Ill take this chance to repeat an offer I made before, I won't be doing it for a few months, but when I do, if someone that has done this before wants a free trip to vegas in exchange for consulting my front end replacement, let me know!
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Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 9,429
Likes: 44
From: Macon, GA
Hey guys. Ralph sent me some very good info about the swap. I hope he doesn't mind me posting our PM here, but I thought you all should be able to read it:
There are basically two bonding strips on the sides: one at the back of your side grills and the other is the front of the door opening. The main one across the top in the drip rail for the hood/wiper door. There is a short one on the bottom of each side and another short one up to the windshield. They are all evident once you start take off the old clip. A thin putty knife works well for me. I recommend the Eckler book also and it will have pictures of everything involved. Job is really not hard, but take your time and be particular on the test fitting of everything. Oh - you don't need a hoist to remove the front clip. After everylthing is removed, it probably doesn't weigh over 75 lbs. The only need for help is it is a little large and unhandy. I usually have my wife help me. The only reason you need two people is to spread it out a little to get the wheel wells over the front wheels.
Good Luck, Ralph
THANKS RALPH!
There are basically two bonding strips on the sides: one at the back of your side grills and the other is the front of the door opening. The main one across the top in the drip rail for the hood/wiper door. There is a short one on the bottom of each side and another short one up to the windshield. They are all evident once you start take off the old clip. A thin putty knife works well for me. I recommend the Eckler book also and it will have pictures of everything involved. Job is really not hard, but take your time and be particular on the test fitting of everything. Oh - you don't need a hoist to remove the front clip. After everylthing is removed, it probably doesn't weigh over 75 lbs. The only need for help is it is a little large and unhandy. I usually have my wife help me. The only reason you need two people is to spread it out a little to get the wheel wells over the front wheels.
Good Luck, Ralph
THANKS RALPH!
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 38,923
Likes: 1,481
From: Southbound
Cruise-In II Veteran
Originally Posted by rponfick
I recommend the Ecklers book also. It has pictures of the bonding strips and hint on how to remove the old clip. Just don't get in a hurry and keep dry fitting the new front clip until you are happy with the fit.
Good luck. Ralph
Good luck. Ralph
Doing the prep work and taking your time is the key.
Pro
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 624
Likes: 0
From: Marietta ga
Originally Posted by sperkins
Thanks for the info - I'll check it out.
I'm guessing by the lack of responses that either not many have done this, or are too scared to attempt it. How about this. Does anybody know of any shops in the middle Georgia area that would do it for me?
I'm guessing by the lack of responses that either not many have done this, or are too scared to attempt it. How about this. Does anybody know of any shops in the middle Georgia area that would do it for me?
