1973 Front bumper support/extension removal
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 352
Likes: 1
From: Central NJ
1973 Front bumper support/extension removal
I'm currently in the process of pulling the body off my 73. I have done some fairly extensive research for lists of what needs to be done in order to accomplish this and I'm confident that everything except the front bumper supports/extensions has been removed. I took off the 4 large (I believe 3/4") bolts/nuts in front of the radiator support because I thought that would pull off with the body but after further inspection I was wrong. How to I go about freeing up the front end of the frame from the body? I can't find pictures anywhere to show exactly what needs to be removed so I think I would ask you guys since you're far more experienced than I am. Any help is greatly appreciated.
Racer
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 284
Likes: 16
From: St Louis MO http://1972corvetterestomod.blogspot.com/
Check for bolts at the frame horns? My '72 has brackets here connected to the front bumper assembly on the body, but might be different for your '73? The body removal checklist I found was fairly general in this area and I had to do a lot of poking around to figure it out. Take lots of pics to help putting it all back together!
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 1,216
Likes: 66
From: Killeen Texas
I'm currently in the process of pulling the body off my 73. I have done some fairly extensive research for lists of what needs to be done in order to accomplish this and I'm confident that everything except the front bumper supports/extensions has been removed. I took off the 4 large (I believe 3/4") bolts/nuts in front of the radiator support because I thought that would pull off with the body but after further inspection I was wrong. How to I go about freeing up the front end of the frame from the body? I can't find pictures anywhere to show exactly what needs to be removed so I think I would ask you guys since you're far more experienced than I am. Any help is greatly appreciated.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 1,216
Likes: 66
From: Killeen Texas
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 352
Likes: 1
From: Central NJ
wow that looks great, I can't wait to do mine! Being that I will never have an opportunity to separate the front of the frame again I'll probably go ahead and separate it when I sandblast and powder coat it. This car in particular is going to end up being sold after I restore it. I had planned on turning it into a drag car but then I discovered it was an original 454/4spd car and I would rather it be all original in a loving home. I picked up a piece of crap 74 to build instead so I'll be putting whatever money I get for this car into that. 2 frame-off's in 1 winter is going to be fun haha
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 1,216
Likes: 66
From: Killeen Texas
wow that looks great, I can't wait to do mine! Being that I will never have an opportunity to separate the front of the frame again I'll probably go ahead and separate it when I sandblast and powder coat it. This car in particular is going to end up being sold after I restore it. I had planned on turning it into a drag car but then I discovered it was an original 454/4spd car and I would rather it be all original in a loving home. I picked up a piece of crap 74 to build instead so I'll be putting whatever money I get for this car into that. 2 frame-off's in 1 winter is going to be fun hahe it.
That sure is a lot of work.. I've been working on mine for 2 years.. The reason I left it on is the front will adjust some and it fit correctly when I took the body off and did not want to change it. Also where 2 metals are married together at the Factory they are not likely to have any rust in that area. The rest of the front metal that I did take off I had it coated along with the frame.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 352
Likes: 1
From: Central NJ
Unfortunately for me I will have to realign it anyway now. It was loosened already because some of the places I researched mention it had to come apart before pulling the body. Oh well, it's just 1 more thing on a list of 1000's. I would like to attempt it this weekend or early next week. Your picture was a HUGE help
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Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 1,216
Likes: 66
From: Killeen Texas
Unfortunately for me I will have to realign it anyway now. It was loosened already because some of the places I researched mention it had to come apart before pulling the body. Oh well, it's just 1 more thing on a list of 1000's. I would like to attempt it this weekend or early next week. Your picture was a HUGE help