). I am considering using a one piece as my replacement. Any thoughts? Thanks as always, Jack
One piece front end
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 31,226
Likes: 4,313
From: Westminster Maryland
Hi Jack,
The 2 things that come to mind are the originality issue (it may or may not matter to you) and how well do the one piece front clips fit.
When I see a one piece front end on a nice car I often think the car was hit and the owner took the less costly way to do the repair; and what else might he have scrimped on?
Regards,
Alan
The 2 things that come to mind are the originality issue (it may or may not matter to you) and how well do the one piece front clips fit.
When I see a one piece front end on a nice car I often think the car was hit and the owner took the less costly way to do the repair; and what else might he have scrimped on?
Regards,
Alan
Drifting
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 1,968
Likes: 44
From: East TN
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 2,683
Likes: 34
From: Working on the car NY
FWIW, I made the decision in my situation to do mine as original - top surround, fenders and bonding strips. First, I figured it would be easier (you figure) than trying to manupulate the complete one piece unit. Not that afterwould would I consider selling but it is going to have a higher resale. I always thought the one piece unit repair was a band aid fix. I haven't installed it yet (but have the parts) but I'm going to do it with clamps during the bonding process - doesn't make sense to me to use screws and washers as some suggest. Just another thing to "come thru" later on as I see it. My .02 (again, FWIW).
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 2,541
Likes: 0
From: Chicago
FWIW, I made the decision in my situation to do mine as original - top surround, fenders and bonding strips. First, I figured it would be easier (you figure) than trying to manupulate the complete one piece unit. Not that afterwould would I consider selling but it is going to have a higher resale. I always thought the one piece unit repair was a band aid fix. I haven't installed it yet (but have the parts) but I'm going to do it with clamps during the bonding process - doesn't make sense to me to use screws and washers as some suggest. Just another thing to "come thru" later on as I see it. My .02 (again, FWIW).
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 2,683
Likes: 34
From: Working on the car NY
You guys are in trouble asking me for advice - did you see my project progress to date 
. I have the Ecklers tape where the guy uses clamps and the Glas-Ra book (The Glas-Ra book says to use screws - which I'd rather not use.) The Ecklers tape isn't the greatest cause he's doing a rear quarter replacement and not the front surround. I think the Ecklers bonding agent is a (fairly) quick set-up vs. others that give you a bit more time. One thing for certain, you'd better be pretty much on the mark when that bonding agent is put on. Measure, measure, measure and measure again.
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 2,541
Likes: 0
From: Chicago
You guys are in trouble asking me for advice - did you see my project progress to date . I have the Ecklers tape where the guy uses clamps and the Glas-Ra book (The Glas-Ra book says to use screws - which I'd rather not use.) The Ecklers tape isn't the greatest cause he's doing a rear quarter replacement and not the front surround. I think the Ecklers bonding agent is a (fairly) quick set-up vs. others that give you a bit more time. One thing for certain, you'd better be pretty much on the mark when that bonding agent is put on. Measure, measure, measure and measure again.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 924
Likes: 2
From: Kearneysville West Virginia
On a previous 70 project, where I replaced a front fender, rear quarter, and tail light panel, I used screws and fender washers to hold things in place. I also used screws with the points ground off in places to aid in the height adjustment of the panels with respect to the bonding strip at the time of bonding. Once the bonding compound set up, I removed the screws and washers. I then dish ground the surface around each screw hole to about the size of a silver dollar and filled the holes. They never gave me any trouble and did not show through the paint. I have also used good quality duct tape to hold panels together along long seams, much like is seen in some of the books.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 924
Likes: 2
From: Kearneysville West Virginia
No, I did not. I used the flat ended screws in various places to set the depth of the panels in reference to each other and in reference to the bonding strips.
The timing of this thread is perfect, because I am in the middle of replacing the entire front clip on a wrecked 70 I bought a few months ago. I picked up a stock used front clip at Carlisle. However, I am pondering if it might be eaiser to bond the clip on as one piece, or detach the fenders from the surround, and bond the surround first, then bond the fenders on? Anyone have any thoughts?
The timing of this thread is perfect, because I am in the middle of replacing the entire front clip on a wrecked 70 I bought a few months ago. I picked up a stock used front clip at Carlisle. However, I am pondering if it might be eaiser to bond the clip on as one piece, or detach the fenders from the surround, and bond the surround first, then bond the fenders on? Anyone have any thoughts?
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 583
Likes: 0
From: Pittsburgh PA
No, I did not. I used the flat ended screws in various places to set the depth of the panels in reference to each other and in reference to the bonding strips.
The timing of this thread is perfect, because I am in the middle of replacing the entire front clip on a wrecked 70 I bought a few months ago. I picked up a stock used front clip at Carlisle. However, I am pondering if it might be eaiser to bond the clip on as one piece, or detach the fenders from the surround, and bond the surround first, then bond the fenders on? Anyone have any thoughts?
The timing of this thread is perfect, because I am in the middle of replacing the entire front clip on a wrecked 70 I bought a few months ago. I picked up a stock used front clip at Carlisle. However, I am pondering if it might be eaiser to bond the clip on as one piece, or detach the fenders from the surround, and bond the surround first, then bond the fenders on? Anyone have any thoughts?
Sounds to me like a lot depends on how much help you have setting the clip in place. One guy only would be miserable.
