Body and Engine Compartment
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 274
Likes: 0
From: Schaumburg IL
Body and Engine Compartment
Hi, I have a few problems with the front part of the body. I stripped all of the gunk in the engine bay only to uncover this sloppy body filler which attaches the front body piece to the rest of the car. Here a couple pics of what I am talking about.
What should I do? Should I seal it back up with more filler? Use some kind of adhesive? The black roofing adhesive? Also, the top part of the body, where it meets the door is starting to lift up, and is causing the door to pop at the bottom when I open it. The hinges are fine; it's defiantly a relating issue with the body. Here are a few pics of that.
Lastly, the wheel well popped off of the body. It looks like they used filler to attach it. Should I just knock off the old filler and reattach it with new filler or adhesive?
Thanks ahead of time.
Jim
What should I do? Should I seal it back up with more filler? Use some kind of adhesive? The black roofing adhesive? Also, the top part of the body, where it meets the door is starting to lift up, and is causing the door to pop at the bottom when I open it. The hinges are fine; it's defiantly a relating issue with the body. Here are a few pics of that.
Lastly, the wheel well popped off of the body. It looks like they used filler to attach it. Should I just knock off the old filler and reattach it with new filler or adhesive?
Thanks ahead of time.
Jim
Pro
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 564
Likes: 0
From: Pittsburgh PA
Dude, I hate to break the bad news to you, but you have BIG problems... Let me say this a different way: BIG PROBLEMS. 
First thing I would suggest you do, is get a book on performing bodywork on Corvettes. They are unique in their construction, and it's gonna' take you a bit of money (and a LOT of time) to take the nose apart, clean up this mess, and put it back together correctly.
Don't know your history with the car, but that is some VERY shoddy work that was done- if you simply patch it back together the same way, the same ugly results will happen again...
Nobody's gonna' give you a happy "it's a fine..." response- because we're all afraid of finding the same disaster...
I wish you luck. If you have some friends locally, who're into cars, or if there's a Corvette club in your area, GO to them... though they may not be willing to work on your car, at least they'll be able to give you meaningful advice...
First thing I would suggest you do, is get a book on performing bodywork on Corvettes. They are unique in their construction, and it's gonna' take you a bit of money (and a LOT of time) to take the nose apart, clean up this mess, and put it back together correctly.
Don't know your history with the car, but that is some VERY shoddy work that was done- if you simply patch it back together the same way, the same ugly results will happen again...
Nobody's gonna' give you a happy "it's a fine..." response- because we're all afraid of finding the same disaster...
I wish you luck. If you have some friends locally, who're into cars, or if there's a Corvette club in your area, GO to them... though they may not be willing to work on your car, at least they'll be able to give you meaningful advice...
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 274
Likes: 0
From: Schaumburg IL
As Cheech would say.... chit! I knew it didn’t look right.... Well the motor is out, we'll its blown... so that’s what got me started. So I gotta take the whole nose off, sounds like a frickin good time. You should of seen some of the other crap they did to the car. It looks like a one eyed drunk bubba painted it! There is overspray on everything and orange peels everywhere. As for the history of the car, I don't want to know!
I better get myself that book.... Any recommendations? Not too much time left in the season. I may join a local Chevy club which I came across the other day. I don’t know if there are any corvette clubs around me. Like I said, I better get that book.
Thanks
I better get myself that book.... Any recommendations? Not too much time left in the season. I may join a local Chevy club which I came across the other day. I don’t know if there are any corvette clubs around me. Like I said, I better get that book.
Thanks
Racer
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 251
Likes: 0
From: Grand-Falls New Brunswick
If you're going to take the front off,check your cab supports because they will be easier to replace with the front off.As for the rest alot of time and patience.I had a few cracks in mine as well and fibergalss mat is the way to go.Messy as heck but very strong.Repairing fiberglass is different than metal so if you talk to a body man make sure he knows about fiberglass because he can give you bad advise not knowing any better.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 274
Likes: 0
From: Schaumburg IL
Now I am thinking about selling, and starting over with something which has a nice body. I was going to order new suspension, steering box, I am in the process of building a motor.... I guess production has came to a hult. Time to do some thinking.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 2,083
Likes: 2
From: Montreal Qc.
I think your car got wrecked a long time ago (the front of it anyway), and whoever fixed it did so as cheaply as possible. Depending on your confidence/ability level you may be better off parting that sucker out and starting over with something more complete. What year is that thing? How much you got it it so far? A chrome bumper numbers matching car might be worth saving...otherwise....
Oh, and CONGRATULATIONS on having a nightmarish find that is WORSE than anything that I have found on my car, which up till now was the Heavyweight Champion of hidden nightmarish problems.
Oh, and CONGRATULATIONS on having a nightmarish find that is WORSE than anything that I have found on my car, which up till now was the Heavyweight Champion of hidden nightmarish problems.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 872
Likes: 3
From: Cortlandt Manor New York
That don't look good. You will probably be better off selling it and buying something that you can do something with. That car was repaired poorly and the more you work to correct those crap repairs the more you are going to find that needs to be redone. This could well be the preverbal bottomless pit.
Look over this car with a magnifying glass before you start to put a nickel into it. Your best bet may be to run from it like it had the plague. If those repairs are any indication I would bet you have frame issues. Whoever did those repairs certainly didn't spend a cent straightening the frame. With that big a front end repair you can bet that frame was wacked pretty hard.
Look over this car with a magnifying glass before you start to put a nickel into it. Your best bet may be to run from it like it had the plague. If those repairs are any indication I would bet you have frame issues. Whoever did those repairs certainly didn't spend a cent straightening the frame. With that big a front end repair you can bet that frame was wacked pretty hard.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 274
Likes: 0
From: Schaumburg IL
Originally Posted by Star79
I think your car got wrecked a long time ago (the front of it anyway), and whoever fixed it did so as cheaply as possible. Depending on your confidence/ability level you may be better off parting that sucker out and starting over with something more complete. What year is that thing? How much you got it it so far? A chrome bumper numbers matching car might be worth saving...otherwise....
It is a '79. It has an '80 nose, with an '80 rear bumper. So it is pretty obvious that it got cracked up. Also I notice the frame was welded in a small spot undre the hood, nothing major, but like you said, who knows how straight the frame is. I havent even looked at the rear yet, God only knows what I will find back there
How much money have I dropped in to it?
Trans - Rebuilt 1,200
Hooker headers and side pipes - 1,200 salvageable
I bought a motor for it, but haven't dropped it in yet, so I guess that doesn't count. I have tons of time in this car, but from what you guy are saying, it will be nothing compared to the amount of time it's going to take to get this car right.
So how much do you think I can get for it on Ebay with out the motor or front suspension? I have all the suspension parts but it needs to be rebuilt. Just got the a-arms blasted.
Originally Posted by Star79
Oh, and CONGRATULATIONS on having a nightmarish find that is WORSE than anything that I have found on my car, which up till now was the Heavyweight Champion of hidden nightmarish problems.
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 2,083
Likes: 2
From: Montreal Qc.
I changed my mind. Screw parting it out, I was told to part mine out before but I'm gonna stick with it till it's right, however much time and $$ it takes (well it's more time than $$, so who cares?).
If you have the space/time and you can figure out how to fix everything just do it and take your time. The end result will be EXACTLY what you want, that's why I'm still working on mine instead of settling for one of those lame complete/running cars that anyone with 8000 dollars can buy every day of the week.
Who knows, next week you may decide to attach a tilt front end, and you're gonna already be halfway there once you've pulled that bondoed mess off.
If you have the space/time and you can figure out how to fix everything just do it and take your time. The end result will be EXACTLY what you want, that's why I'm still working on mine instead of settling for one of those lame complete/running cars that anyone with 8000 dollars can buy every day of the week.
Who knows, next week you may decide to attach a tilt front end, and you're gonna already be halfway there once you've pulled that bondoed mess off.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 2,337
Likes: 14
From: Norfolk VA
Im certain you will make the right decision. Maybe you will be the first to attempt to convert a rubber bumper series car to a chrome bumper car. I would keep it and learn as much as possible how to make such repairs. Because if you decide to keep it, believe me..... you will get a great feeling and sense of accomplishment from undertaking such a project. If you choose to sell be honest about the car's condition.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 274
Likes: 0
From: Schaumburg IL
I was looking through some old pics, and this is why it wasn't noticed until now.
Before
After
I guess they put some kind of sealer on the entire firewall to conceal the slop job they did, and prevent leaks. Well I guess sometimes you are the bug, and other times you are the windshield.
In in the hunt for a new vette. I am going to look at an 83 tomorrow.
1982 corvette new heads, intake, carb, 373 posi rear, hooker headers and side pipes, cam and timing chain, new carpet needs put it yet, tires are 85%. about $3500 in new parts over the last 2 months have proof for all new parts. kids car lost interest will include crossfire injection top end everything works good. need to sell asap.
The ad was placed before the motor started to knock, so he knocked some dough off the price. He is asking 3,500. Wish me luck this time around.
BeforeAfterI guess they put some kind of sealer on the entire firewall to conceal the slop job they did, and prevent leaks. Well I guess sometimes you are the bug, and other times you are the windshield.
In in the hunt for a new vette. I am going to look at an 83 tomorrow.
1982 corvette new heads, intake, carb, 373 posi rear, hooker headers and side pipes, cam and timing chain, new carpet needs put it yet, tires are 85%. about $3500 in new parts over the last 2 months have proof for all new parts. kids car lost interest will include crossfire injection top end everything works good. need to sell asap.
The ad was placed before the motor started to knock, so he knocked some dough off the price. He is asking 3,500. Wish me luck this time around.
Last edited by AmpedC3; Aug 20, 2006 at 11:29 PM.
Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 23,831
Likes: 10
From: Springfield MO
St. Jude Donor '07
Originally Posted by AmpedC3
In in the hunt for a new vette. I am going to look at an 83 tomorrow. Guy said the motor has a bunch of new parts, rear end, but a engine knock just started. He is asking 3,500. Wish me luck this time around.
The sealer in the first pic looks like the factory sealer. After 20-30 years, it shrinks, cracks, and looks like crap. The fact that the emissions decal is uncovered is a definate clue to originality.
The pink stuff in the second pic looks just like the (often now shrunken, at least on my car) factory panel adhesive. I'm always amazed when I'm working under my car at how thick and unevenly applied the factory adhesive is.
Yeah, you have a few seams that need to be reglued. It doesn't look, at least to me, like you're dealing with major past damage. You should see the utterly demolished condition of my right-hand inner fender.
From the picture of the door, it's either misaligned or the hinges need repair.
Last edited by I'm Batman; Aug 20, 2006 at 11:29 PM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 8,918
Likes: 27
From: New Hill NC
Yep, Batman is correct. Most of it looks factory, but it has been whacked at least. For those of you that dont believe that the General used polyester bonding material on these SMC bodies, just look at these pictures. If it gets hit in the fornt of the nose from the side, the whole front will pop off. Its pretty easy actually to yank it off and clean everything up and rebond. This time with some better stuff.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 9,192
Likes: 27
From: Boca Raton Florida
Good Choice, Proud of you! Its just like them models we built as kids, just not the same scale. Look at the header bar in the front end where the headlights mount up and make sure its bonded all the way across while its off.
At least now when you put it back together, it will all line up nice
At least now when you put it back together, it will all line up nice
