One Piece Front End Installation Help
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Advanced
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 71
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From: Naperville Illinois
One Piece Front End Installation Help
I have '69 big block coupe I am planning a frame off restoration on.
The car was hit on the left front side and the frame was bent. The frame was partially straightened, but it's still a 1/2" or so out front to rear on the left side, and the front frame extensions are still shifted a bit to the right. A hand laid one piece front end was put on with the bumper mounts and radiator supports tweaked and shimmed to fit the body to the imperfect frame. I want to straighten the frame and install a new press molded one piece front end.
Should I straighten the frame before I pull the body off or straighten the frame after the body is off? Assuming the answer is the former, do I then install the new front end and then pull the body off?
Has anyone installed a one piece press molded front end? Any tips or information sources would be appreciated. Is this something an inexperienced, but handy person can do, or am I better off going to a shop?
Thanks in advance.
Hammer
The car was hit on the left front side and the frame was bent. The frame was partially straightened, but it's still a 1/2" or so out front to rear on the left side, and the front frame extensions are still shifted a bit to the right. A hand laid one piece front end was put on with the bumper mounts and radiator supports tweaked and shimmed to fit the body to the imperfect frame. I want to straighten the frame and install a new press molded one piece front end.
Should I straighten the frame before I pull the body off or straighten the frame after the body is off? Assuming the answer is the former, do I then install the new front end and then pull the body off?
Has anyone installed a one piece press molded front end? Any tips or information sources would be appreciated. Is this something an inexperienced, but handy person can do, or am I better off going to a shop?
Thanks in advance.
Hammer
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 242
Likes: 4
From: deland fl
One Piece Front End
Many many years ago I installed a one piece Ecklers front end on a 58 fuelly. As I recall, it fit very well and when it was formed, they left material on the rear fender edges so they could be fitted to the doors. You will need to fit it to the doors and the hood before adhesive is mixed. You can do it yourself but definitely not alone. You will need lotsa clamps and patience. I made adjustable braces from 1 inch by 1 inch square, long wooden stakes telescoped inside conduit clamped at length with vice grips. I used these to jam against the ceiling, work bench, adjacent vehicle or anything heavy and nearby to hold the front end in place. It was very Bubba but did the job. This was so long ago, I was making my own adhesive with epoxy resin thickened with asbestos powder I bought at the hardware store.
A lot of patience, care, time, and no beer until after the job is done.
Good luck !!
Larry
A lot of patience, care, time, and no beer until after the job is done.
Good luck !!
Larry
Race Director
Joined: Sep 1999
Posts: 11,360
Likes: 382
From: Plano TX
You probably don't want to hear this, but I don't think that frame will ever be right. I'd strongly consider finding a good frame.
When you say "press molded one-piece front-end", are you talking about the pre-assembled fronts from Corvette Image? Those are excellent quality and you'll be thrilled with them. I didn't get their pre-assembled front but the surround and one fender. Great quality.
When you say "press molded one-piece front-end", are you talking about the pre-assembled fronts from Corvette Image? Those are excellent quality and you'll be thrilled with them. I didn't get their pre-assembled front but the surround and one fender. Great quality.
Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 71
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From: Naperville Illinois
Thanks very much for the pointers. I am planning to use a Corvette Image press molded one piece front end. I hope that the frame isn't out by so much that I need to replace it as it is original. No doubt this isn't a one man job! Would welcome any other tips or thoughts, particularly about the frame straightening with body on or off.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 8,117
Likes: 104
From: charlotte north carolina
i installed a ecklers one piece front end on my 70. the fit and quality were good and didnt have any major problems. the box it is shippped in is huge! it is delivered by freight, so delivery could be a problem because someone has to be there to receive it. i had it delivered to my office, and the driver and i loaded in the back of my pickup. it weighs only about 100# including the box, so it isn't too hard to unload by yourself. if you have any questions, post them here or pm if you want.
jeff
jeff
Racer
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 374
Likes: 12
From: PHILADELPHIA PA
straghtening the frame off the car as a roller gave me much better access to the x point measurements that are critical to the frame horns. was able to chain and pull where i needed. came back to original specs. used a hunter power post setup.
