Second rebuild 1973

Reply Subscribe

Thread Tools

Search this Thread

Sep 22, 2013 | 09:03 AM

#101

FatCat

Thread Starter

Drifting

Joined: Aug 2012

Posts: 1,650

Likes: 2

From: Tulsa Oklahoma

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1974ta

I do not think you want to try on pull it but rather sand/grind the bumper to get it right. I suspect the fiberglass will crack if you do.

That fit is not uncommon with after market parts. Whatever you do don't mess with the original fenders.

Bill

Thanks Bill,

that sounds like it will be tricky. I sure hope I don't ruin the whole bumper. Hahaha

Scott

Sep 22, 2013 | 09:07 AM

#102

FatCat

Thread Starter

Drifting

Joined: Aug 2012

Posts: 1,650

Likes: 2

From: Tulsa Oklahoma

Do you think taking that much out of the nose will be noticeable?

Scott

Sep 22, 2013 | 11:47 AM

#103

540 vette

Race Director

Joined: Jan 2002

Posts: 11,615

Likes: 350

From: No Where USA

Put a small pie slice cut in the center. The ends should pull in then. Then just glass the center.

Sep 22, 2013 | 11:50 AM

#104

FatCat

Thread Starter

Drifting

Joined: Aug 2012

Posts: 1,650

Likes: 2

From: Tulsa Oklahoma

Anyone have any idea of a tutorial or pix of the process you went through on fitting up the Fiberglass bumpers? Even though it seems fairly straight forward, I am really nervous about sanding and grinding on the thing.
Thanks

Sep 22, 2013 | 11:54 AM

#105

FatCat

Thread Starter

Drifting

Joined: Aug 2012

Posts: 1,650

Likes: 2

From: Tulsa Oklahoma

Quote:

Originally Posted by 540 vette

Put a small pie slice cut in the center. The ends should pull in then. Then just glass the center.

That sounds like a good idea, prob what a 1/2"at the widest point and how far down you think?

Sep 22, 2013 | 11:58 AM

#106

FatCat

Thread Starter

Drifting

Joined: Aug 2012

Posts: 1,650

Likes: 2

From: Tulsa Oklahoma

I also am in need of something to learn how to do fiberglass work. Lol Gosh the learning just never stop owning a Corvette...

Sep 22, 2013 | 12:35 PM

#107

PeteZO6

Drifting

Joined: Apr 2007

Posts: 1,970

Likes: 45

From: Cameron Park CA

Quote:

Originally Posted by FatCat

I would make a cardboard template that would fit the nose of the car. Then transfer that shape to the bumper. If done accurately, the bumper should fit perfectly.

Pete
PS. I have never done that, but it's what I would do if faced with the problem.

Sep 22, 2013 | 12:52 PM

#108

FatCat

Thread Starter

Drifting

Joined: Aug 2012

Posts: 1,650

Likes: 2

From: Tulsa Oklahoma

Quote:

Originally Posted by PeteZO6

I would make a cardboard template that would fit the nose of the car. Then transfer that shape to the bumper. If done accurately, the bumper should fit perfectly.

Pete
PS. I have never done that, but it's what I would do if faced with the problem.

I get how to do the cutout but are you saying I would actually cut a small potion of the entire bumper off to get it to fit?

I also watched this on YouTube can you all tell me if this is an acceptable tutorial on glass work and are there any brands of materials recomended?

Thanks
Scott

Corvette Stories

The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts

10 Ugly Corvettes That We Still Kinda Love

Joe Kucinski

Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer

Brett Foote

10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)

Michael S. Palmer

8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems

Pouria Savadkouei

10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years

Joe Kucinski

How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972

Joe Kucinski

Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!

Michael S. Palmer

Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!

Joe Kucinski

150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter

Joe Kucinski

8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time

Verdad Gallardo

Sep 22, 2013 | 01:07 PM

#109

FatCat

Thread Starter

Drifting

Joined: Aug 2012

Posts: 1,650

Likes: 2

From: Tulsa Oklahoma

Another question! The grills on the front appear to have been chromed and then painted over at some point. Would this be correct for a 73?
Thanks!

Sep 22, 2013 | 01:24 PM

#110

540 vette

Race Director

Joined: Jan 2002

Posts: 11,615

Likes: 350

From: No Where USA

Quote:

Originally Posted by FatCat

That sounds like a good idea, prob what a 1/2"at the widest point and how far down you think?

Measure how far away it is at the ends, then pie cut the bumper that amount. That should get you in the ball park. Then trim as needed. I would go almost to the tip of the bumper.

Sep 22, 2013 | 01:24 PM

#111

carjack007

Instructor

Joined: Apr 2011

Posts: 186

Likes: 2

From: Moncks Corner SC

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1974ta

Cut, grind, sand until the bumper fits... don't try to "bend" it.

Sep 22, 2013 | 01:47 PM

#112

FatCat

Thread Starter

Drifting

Joined: Aug 2012

Posts: 1,650

Likes: 2

From: Tulsa Oklahoma

Quote:

Originally Posted by 540 vette

Measure how far away it is at the ends, then pie cut the bumper that amount. That should get you in the ball park. Then trim as needed. I would go almost to the tip of the bumper.

This makes sense along with Pete's template idea. I will make a template of the bumper and pie cut it first and that should get me there.
Then I just have to learn how to work with the glass and should be good.
Thanks guys, I'll post pix when I get it done.
Scott

Sep 22, 2013 | 03:22 PM

#113

540 vette

Race Director

Joined: Jan 2002

Posts: 11,615

Likes: 350

From: No Where USA

Quote:

Originally Posted by FatCat

Template sounds good, just get it to where you want it and then cut. Fiberglass work is not hard, just messy. Use gloves when you do it. And a mask. Have fun. If you make a mistake, grind it off and start over. Even the experts started somewhere.

Sep 22, 2013 | 03:47 PM

#114

PeteZO6

Drifting

Joined: Apr 2007

Posts: 1,970

Likes: 45

From: Cameron Park CA

Quote:

Originally Posted by FatCat

Scott,
What I meant was a template of the nose of the car. It should accurately depict the exact line on the front of the hood surround. Overlay that on the bumper and you have your cut line.

Pete

Sep 22, 2013 | 04:58 PM

#115

FatCat

Thread Starter

Drifting

Joined: Aug 2012

Posts: 1,650

Likes: 2

From: Tulsa Oklahoma

Thanks guys!!! Getting the diff ready to pull right now and will work on this bumper on the morning. Off tomorrow and going to try and get it done.
Anyone happen to look at that fiberglass video to see if it is the proper procedure?
Also is there any particular resin and body filler I need to use?
Thanks everyone, you make these things much easier for me and I appreciate the help!

Sep 22, 2013 | 05:28 PM

#116

FatCat

Thread Starter

Drifting

Joined: Aug 2012

Posts: 1,650

Likes: 2

From: Tulsa Oklahoma

He gone!!!

Hey while I am here making decisions on the rearend, can anyone tell me where or how to verify this is original to the car?
Thanks
Scott

Sep 22, 2013 | 05:45 PM

#117

FatCat

Thread Starter

Drifting

Joined: Aug 2012

Posts: 1,650

Likes: 2

From: Tulsa Oklahoma

While I am at it! Hahaha the tank has some surface rust, what do you do to get rid of it and keep the tank looking original?
Thanks!
Scott

Sep 22, 2013 | 05:55 PM

#118

carjack007

Instructor

Joined: Apr 2011

Posts: 186

Likes: 2

From: Moncks Corner SC

Quote:

Originally Posted by FatCat

While I am at it! Hahaha the tank has some surface rust, what do you do to get rid of it and keep the tank looking original?
Thanks!
Scott

You might want to consider a new tank... That metal is pretty thin and it's 40 years old. My decision would be new if the inside was rusty. If it is clean then use one of the rust removal products. Eastwood has a few of them. Others on this forum will surely have other solutions.

Bob

Sep 22, 2013 | 06:00 PM

#119

FatCat

Thread Starter

Drifting

Joined: Aug 2012

Posts: 1,650

Likes: 2

From: Tulsa Oklahoma

Quote:

Originally Posted by carjack007

Bob

Thanks Bob! The inside is squeeky clean!!!

Sep 22, 2013 | 06:03 PM

#120

PeteZO6

Drifting

Joined: Apr 2007

Posts: 1,970

Likes: 45

From: Cameron Park CA

Quote:

Originally Posted by FatCat

He gone!!!
Hey while I am here making decisions on the rearend, can anyone tell me where or how to verify this is original to the car?
Thanks
Scott

There should be a flat surface on the bottom of the diff case, below the right side output shaft. There will be numbers and letters stamped on that surface, date and ratio. Post them here and somebody will chime in and decode it for you. Can't tell if original or not; if date is close to car built, you can assume its original. Ratio should match what was offered that year.

Pete

Reply Share

First
Prev
6 / 17
Next
Last

Forum Jump