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Raising front clip?

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Old Feb 11, 2015 | 06:05 PM
  #21  
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Hi,

Here's a 'typical' position for the bottom of the core support relative to the front crossmember.


Remember the outer bumper brackets need to be removed to gain access to the second frame extension bolt.


Again, be VERY CAREFUL with the fiberglass.
Regards,
Alan

Last edited by Alan 71; Feb 12, 2015 at 10:46 AM.
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Old Feb 12, 2015 | 10:33 AM
  #22  
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Thanks again. I willl disassemble the whole front end and lift the front up slowly to raise it that few milimeters.
I will take some pictures as soon as I can and post it to let you see what is the gap at the front.
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Old Feb 12, 2015 | 11:37 AM
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As others have suggested you can raise the clip some. Because the rear of the fenders and hood strip near windshield are bonded you are limited in range. Also make sure the inner fenders are not secured to anything that also attaches to the frame.

In my track car I had to remove all the bonded seems so I could make the clip removeable and attach with pins. Good now but what a pain.
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Old Feb 12, 2015 | 12:12 PM
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Originally Posted by DaveL82
As others have suggested you can raise the clip some. Because the rear of the fenders and hood strip near windshield are bonded you are limited in range. Also make sure the inner fenders are not secured to anything that also attaches to the frame.

In my track car I had to remove all the bonded seems so I could make the clip removeable and attach with pins. Good now but what a pain.
I will remove the front bumper and front grille and loosen the bolts on the radiator core and frame extensions and lift up the core support to see it this will do the trick. All I need is 1/4".
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Old Feb 12, 2015 | 01:43 PM
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Here is the detailed photos and description of the procedure!

http://www.corvette-restoration.com/...lacement_1.htm

In short, I have to loosen these two bolts and raise the support up?



Last edited by Primoz; Feb 12, 2015 at 01:54 PM. Reason: adding content
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Old Feb 12, 2015 | 07:25 PM
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Yes
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Old Feb 13, 2015 | 02:31 PM
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Originally Posted by DaveL82
As others have suggested you can raise the clip some. Because the rear of the fenders and hood strip near windshield are bonded you are limited in range. Also make sure the inner fenders are not secured to anything that also attaches to the frame.

In my track car I had to remove all the bonded seems so I could make the clip removeable and attach with pins. Good now but what a pain.
When you get a chance can I see some pics of that? I've been trying to come up with the best way to do this to my drag car. Thanks!
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Old Feb 13, 2015 | 05:39 PM
  #28  
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you might also want to loosen the 3 bolts on each side, holding the core support, also loosen the 2 bolts on the bottom of the core support holding the core support, you can add shims here to help raise the front end... good luck
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Old Mar 25, 2015 | 02:52 PM
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What actually secured the front of the clip to the car?
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Old Mar 25, 2015 | 03:57 PM
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Hi ac,
There are 3 bolts on each side through bracket on wheel side of the apron to the core support. You can see the bolts in Primo's last picture.
Then 2 bolts through bottom of core support to the front crossmember that's mounted to the forward frame rail extensions.
Forward of the core support there's nothing but incidental contact of the bumper braces and brackets and their bolts as they touch or pass through the fiberglass.
That's why to raise the front of the clip St.Louis used shims between the bottom of the core support and the forward crossmember.
Not all cars needed shims, just as the number of body mount shims varied car to car.
Regards,
Alan

Last edited by Alan 71; Mar 25, 2015 at 04:00 PM.
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Old Mar 25, 2015 | 04:51 PM
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Originally Posted by Alan 71
Hi ac,
There are 3 bolts on each side through bracket on wheel side of the apron to the core support. You can see the bolts in Primo's last picture.
Then 2 bolts through bottom of core support to the front crossmember that's mounted to the forward frame rail extensions.
Forward of the core support there's nothing but incidental contact of the bumper braces and brackets and their bolts as they touch or pass through the fiberglass.
That's why to raise the front of the clip St.Louis used shims between the bottom of the core support and the forward crossmember.
Not all cars needed shims, just as the number of body mount shims varied car to car.
Regards,
Alan
I have two shims under the rad support on each side of my 69. The gaps in the door jambs are near perfect (see below). I think more often than not the gap between the door and top of the front fender is twice as wide as at the bottom of the door. Sometimes these shims fall out or are left out after a repair. Then the front sags leaving a big gap at the top... Not a hard fix.



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Old Apr 2, 2015 | 02:03 PM
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OK after having a look at my car, I immediately noticed something different in comparison to all others. I dont have bumper brackets, the bolts holding the extension brackets on are going through the holes that the bumper brackets should be. The joys of getting a used car... As you can see, the holes that the bolts should be going through dont even remotely line up. What is the best way to fix this. Its on both sides
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Old Apr 3, 2015 | 05:22 PM
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Originally Posted by ace_cobra
OK after having a look at my car, I immediately noticed something different in comparison to all others. I dont have bumper brackets, the bolts holding the extension brackets on are going through the holes that the bumper brackets should be. The joys of getting a used car... As you can see, the holes that the bolts should be going through dont even remotely line up. What is the best way to fix this. Its on both sides
I replied to you post in the 'Paint and Body forum'.

DUB
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Old Apr 5, 2015 | 03:55 PM
  #34  
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This was posted in cc tech page.
http://tech.corvettecentral.com/2015...-installation/

It is useful.
On one of the pictures the shims under the radiator support are superbly seen.
I'm still getting to align everything on my vette. My job doesn't let me to take 5 days of to dedicate them to my corvette.
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Old Apr 6, 2015 | 08:47 PM
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P&K, Are you having a hard time lining up your 4 bolts for the frame extension. Mine dolt line up at all, even with all bolts removed.
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Old Apr 7, 2015 | 07:46 AM
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Originally Posted by ace_cobra
P&K, Are you having a hard time lining up your 4 bolts for the frame extension. Mine dolt line up at all, even with all bolts removed.
Mine are alligned just right but the front fender mount is hitting the nose of the car (fiberglass) and I have to raise that up.
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Old Apr 30, 2015 | 05:41 PM
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In the last 2 days I dismantled and raised the front clip and after putting in 3 shims under the radiator support the front right tyre still touches the fender in front of the tyre if I put maximum lock at turning left.
I'm afraid that if I put more shims under the radiator support the fiberglass will be to stressed.
Does anyone have any feedback on this matter?
I did get 12 shims wwhen I ordered the complete set with bolts from Willcox, so 6 at each side may be the maxximum amount.
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Old May 8, 2015 | 03:01 PM
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Does anybody know what is the space between the front tyre and front fender when full lock is applied?
Mine is pretty darn close at 3,6 mm.
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Old Mar 18, 2016 | 10:05 AM
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Is it possible that during restoration and my car beeing without radiator support and beeing in a lift the front clip dropped because of the deteriorating body mounts? I haven't checked them but I suppose they make a difference!
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Old Mar 18, 2016 | 10:38 AM
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Hi PK,
If your car still has the original type aluminum 'puck' spacers they'd have to be VERY corroded to have allowed the body to drop.
Remember, most of the front clip is forward of the body mounts so if the clip has dropped it's more likely that the bond between it and the cowl has been compromised.
Generally if the clip is loose the gaps at the front of the doors is where it's seen.
Regards,
Alan

Last edited by Alan 71; Mar 18, 2016 at 10:39 AM.
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