Maine Vette

Hey all. Well, it's been a bit since I've been on the forum but I thought I'd stop by to share some recent progress on my 1971 restoration project (I've been previously provided updates in this thread: http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c3-g...ss-photos.html)

Anyway, last summer I decided that my front clip was too rough to salvage so I decided to install a new one piece front clip. I did a bunch of research, reviewed what information I could find, but found that there wasn't a lot out there documenting the subject. As you probably could expect, it turned out to be a lot more involved than I expected (and I went into it thinking it would be complicated). The number of variables you need to look for and adjust is pretty crazy. Here's a quick summary of the major items that needed to be fitted prior to bonding everything together:
A lot of the process of dry fitting the front clip involved installing and removing the clip multiple times. It got pretty tedious after a while but it was the only way to get the fit right.

I've done a pretty detailed write-up of the process but it's too much to try and repost it all here (there are about 60 photos). I've broken the install up into four parts which you can view at my restoration website/blog here:

http://www.corvette-restoration.com/...lacement_1.htm
http://www.corvette-restoration.com/...lacement_2.htm
http://www.corvette-restoration.com/...lacement_3.htm
http://www.corvette-restoration.com/...lacement_4.htm

Here are a few photos of the finished install:







Hopefully some folks here will find this useful and, if nothing else, will give a better sense of what's necessary to install a one piece front clip.

If you have any questions let me know and I'll do my best to answer them.

John 65

That was a lot of work and it looks like you did a fantastic job. Thanks for taking all the time to post it and explain it.

bluegtp

What he said.....

I contemplated doing this and began seperating at winshield wiper tray area....did some research and quickly decided not to. looks good!

Maine Vette

Yep, it was a lot of work for sure. If I had to do it all over again I'd probably think about it pretty hard, but would probably go the same route. My original front clip was to the point that it would have been more work to salvage than to replace. The fact that originality isn't important to me also helped me make the decision to replace.

I'm planning to do a nice tutorial (sort of like a magazine article) documenting what I have on my website. This way people can print it out and take it to the garage as a reference. But, before doing so I'd want your thoughts or opinions on my write up so far. Is anything confusing or not clear? Did I miss anything? Would you have done it differently? Let me know your thoughts. I want to be sure what I develop is as complete and technically correct as possible.

mffi115

Wanna come to Fairfield, CT and help me put mine back on, ????? Beer's on me!!!

I'll read through your write up tonight and let you know if I have any questions. Thanks for posting this. That's my next big step after I run all the mechanical/electrical systems checks over the next few weeks. Obviously, I want to check everything's functionality if I have to work on it with the clip off. I'm spoiled because it's all so easy to get to with the clip off. I'm sure I'll be calling you. You can check out my project in the link below my signature.

Maine Vette

I don't know that I loved the process enough to make a trip down to CT I'd gladly provide some ideas if you need help though. It looks like you've done a lot of work on your 73. Looks great so far!

Looking forward to hearing what you think of the write-up.

willem wallace

What brand is the clip you used? What was your opinion on quality? Was the headlight assembly mounting bar included? Was it metal or plastic?

Maine Vette

I purchased the clip from ACI Vette. Overall I thought the quality was pretty good. It seemed well built and wasn't overly wavy or anything like that.

The clip came with two reinforcing bars. The one at the edge of the hood opening (highlight mounting bar) was steel. The bar at the nose was fiberglass. I think the fiberglass nose reinforcing would have been ok, but I elected to cut it out and replace it with my original steel one. The impression I got was that they fabricate these to order. If I were to order another one I'd request they leave that out to save myself the hassle of replacing it with a steel one.

That said, I was pleased with their product. They're prices were very competitive and, for hand laid glass, the quality was good.

Alan 71

Hi mv,
WOW!
Without even getting into the work you did, the PICTURES and description you wrote is quite incredible!!!!!
I looked at all the pictures and skimmed the text.... you deserve a serious pat on the back for making it all available for people getting ready to start the process.
WELL DONE!
Regards,
Alan

qtlow

With everything Alan said.
In my opinion your website is one of the most valuable and informative resources on the internet.
I haven't started my restoration yet but when I do I plan on using your experiences and step by step processes as a useful tool.
Thanks! Please keep up the good work!

azza2u

After a year of owning my 68 I only noticed a day ago it has the ACI tag glassed into the front under the crossed flags showing it has the one piece front clip dated '97. Fascinated reading your story of what one of the previous owners went though to actually get it on there!

Maine Vette

Thanks again for the feedback guys. Keeping the site up and running has been a lot of work (probably more work than the resto) so it's nice to hear folks find it useful.

mffi115

I finally got around to reading your write up - excellent job!! I got a lot of good info from it for my install. I'll be installing the original front clip and I anticipate that I won't have some of the issues that you did...but, I'll have some different issues and I have a lot of repairs to do on the clip before I re-install it. The fender skirts are still in the clip, must they come out for re-fitting?

I post everything on my blog at the url in my signature below. I"ll post a thread on the forum when I do mine this spring.

Maine Vette

Thanks for the feedback, Carl.

If you plan to reinstall your original clip I'd leave the inner fender skirts in place. Doing so would actually help you align the radiator support assembly front to back.

I'm happy to help if you have any questions. I frequent CF on occasion, but can be found pretty easily at my site below.

Good luck with your front clip and thanks again.

MIKE80

I have a new Eckler's front clip for an 80'-82'. If anyone is interested I'll give a good deal on it, really want the space back in my garage.

MIKE80

Nice work Man!

lsejlowe

I just bought a new ACI clip and inner fenders for my '69 and I know I'll be referencing your website repeatedly during the installation process. Many thanks for being so thorough during you install for the benefit of those of us following in your footsteps!

rponfick

This should be a "sticky" for future reference to those interested. Very well done installation and documentation.

I've done this and wish I had this as a reference.

Ralph

Jim Jay

Good morning,
My name is Jim Jay and I read your blog on replacing a front clip, which I thought was very helpful. I have a 1970 Corvette and I am about to replace my front clip. My question is which brand did you go with? Eckler's has 2 versions, one is 4000.00 and the other one is 1500.00 and ACI is about the same, 1500.00. Is it one of those things that you get what you pay for, better quality and so on? I look forward to your advice.


Thanks Jim

Alan 71

Hi Jim,
Welcome!
First post!!
I believe you'll find that the 2 different priced clips are quite different from each other.
The lower priced clip is one large fiberglass piece.
The higher priced clip is assembled (jig built) from about 6 smaller fiberglass pieces. This is the way the original front clip on your car was made.
Some people feel having the one piece clip on a car may affect it's value. This really only affects cars which are being touted as original type restorations.
The difference and it's effect is really is something you should understand and consider carefully before you make your decision as to which one you should buy.
If you would describe your car and your plans for it in the future, folks may be able to offer some advice.
Again, welcome!
Regards,
Alan