Front Clip
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 47
Likes: 0
From: North Bend OH
Front Clip
Is it posable to remove the complete front clip of my 68' coupe. I have been working on the project for two months now. Have removed all the front suspension and the project is growing. When I started I was only going to brush and paint.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 993
Likes: 44
From: Jefferson Hills PA
Ok so you now doing a complete restoration, whether you know it or not. Yes you can take the whole clip off but there is a right way and a whole lot of wrong ways. Im preparing to do mine in the near future and I have been reading everything here in the Forum I can. Search for posts about the front clip removal and install. There are lots of guys who have done what you are about to do. USE THEIR PAST EXPERIENCES. It will pay off. Ive learned so much just by asking questions here. Good Luck with your restoration.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 6,355
Likes: 426
From: Seattle Area WA
Thats way too much work to access anything unless you have a rusted out birdcage. If it doesn't need replacing, don't f**k around with it. You can get to anything that needs freshened up with the front clip on including pulling the engine.
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 38,923
Likes: 1,482
From: Southbound
Cruise-In II Veteran
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Instructor
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 133
Likes: 1
From: Denmark
Did you end up removing the front clip?
I just started a frame off of my 68 convertible, and plan on removing the front clip.
It is a bit loose at the top of the fender to firewall attachment. But worse is the door alignment!
The door gaps, particular at the passenger side, is way too much. Before painting I would like to narrow it in by relocating the front clip.
Anyone here who had done this? Is the front clip to be installed when the body is back on the frame?
Thanks
Lars
I just started a frame off of my 68 convertible, and plan on removing the front clip.
It is a bit loose at the top of the fender to firewall attachment. But worse is the door alignment!
The door gaps, particular at the passenger side, is way too much. Before painting I would like to narrow it in by relocating the front clip.
Anyone here who had done this? Is the front clip to be installed when the body is back on the frame?
Thanks
Lars
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 38,923
Likes: 1,482
From: Southbound
Cruise-In II Veteran
I repeat my previous advice: leave the clip in place. You can rebond the areas where it may be loose. Getting the clip off is one thing; getting it rebonded and positioned correctly is another.
Do not adjust door fit until the clip is rebonded.
Do not adjust door fit until the clip is rebonded.
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 133
Likes: 1
From: Denmark
Thanks for your replies.
I'm not really fond of removing the front clip. However, I really can't see how I can narrow door gaps without relocating the front clip a bit backwards.
Alan. You say that you spend a lot of time rebonding, addressing door gaps before taking the clip off! Was that because you couldn't fix deficiencies without taking of the front clip anyway?
What is the biggest problem in bonding the front clip back again?
I'm not really fond of removing the front clip. However, I really can't see how I can narrow door gaps without relocating the front clip a bit backwards.
Alan. You say that you spend a lot of time rebonding, addressing door gaps before taking the clip off! Was that because you couldn't fix deficiencies without taking of the front clip anyway?
What is the biggest problem in bonding the front clip back again?
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 31,270
Likes: 4,362
From: Westminster Maryland
Hi N,
Door gap problems are caused by many many things. UNLESS the front clip is no longer securely bonded to the firewall, and has sagged forward and down the answer is else where.
Remember you just can't move the clip backward if that's not the problem because that will cause issues with the gaps on the rear of the hood, the wiper grill and the wiper door.
There are some very detailed threads about dealing with door gaps. Try searching for them. Look for stinger12, 72BB, East ltd.
Here's a picture of my car while the door gaps were being sized and evened.
I'm not saying your clip doesn't need to come off ,I just want you to be sure it does.
Regards,
Alan
Door gap problems are caused by many many things. UNLESS the front clip is no longer securely bonded to the firewall, and has sagged forward and down the answer is else where.
Remember you just can't move the clip backward if that's not the problem because that will cause issues with the gaps on the rear of the hood, the wiper grill and the wiper door.
There are some very detailed threads about dealing with door gaps. Try searching for them. Look for stinger12, 72BB, East ltd.
Here's a picture of my car while the door gaps were being sized and evened.
I'm not saying your clip doesn't need to come off ,I just want you to be sure it does.
Regards,
Alan
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 2,609
Likes: 12
From: Massapequa Park NY
Thanks for your replies.
I'm not really fond of removing the front clip. However, I really can't see how I can narrow door gaps without relocating the front clip a bit backwards.
Alan. You say that you spend a lot of time rebonding, addressing door gaps before taking the clip off! Was that because you couldn't fix deficiencies without taking of the front clip anyway?
What is the biggest problem in bonding the front clip back again?
I'm not really fond of removing the front clip. However, I really can't see how I can narrow door gaps without relocating the front clip a bit backwards.
Alan. You say that you spend a lot of time rebonding, addressing door gaps before taking the clip off! Was that because you couldn't fix deficiencies without taking of the front clip anyway?
What is the biggest problem in bonding the front clip back again?
If you door gaps are to big & the hood gaps - front & rear - are good then you would be better off glassing in the doors or fender edge to close the distance. Then you can grind & sand the edge to get the door gap more to your liking. Remember these cars were built on an assembly line and the factory spent minimal time trimming the gaps.
Like Alan said - a bunch of forum members have posted our experiences. Zwede posted a good set of pictures a few years ago on glassing the door edges.
Jim
Safety Car
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 3,930
Likes: 15
From: Calgary Alberta
Don't remove it. Mine needed to be removed, so I did it. However, if you just want to take it off for the sake of taking it off, you are a fool. Plain and simple. Very few people understand how to properly refit a front clip, and fit all the parts together. You adjust one thing, and the rest of the parts need to all be adjusted. Leave it in place and fix where the panels have separated with bonding adhesive. I am in the process of fitting mine right now. It is a bitch.
Last edited by stinger12; Mar 19, 2010 at 11:06 PM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 2,164
Likes: 7
From: Beringen
I agree with Scott. No need to remove the front unless serious damage or in case of birdcage rust.
Instructor
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 112
Likes: 0
From: Gillette Wyoming
I agree I had some uneven door gaps and the more I looked into removeing the clip the more Idid not want to do it, remember this is 40 year old fiberglass and would crack easy, if you dont have a new clip and can trash the old one I would not do it.
