replacement front clip = fit issue
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Apr 2002
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From: NY
replacement front clip = fit issue
I am in the process of fitting a replacement front clip to my 1978. I have leveled the car in the garage and placed my floor jack under the radiator support. I have loosened the bolts on the support, I am running into 2 issues:
1. The fender skirt on the driver's side is noticeably higher that the passenger's side skirt (about 1 inch?). The driver's side skirt and the reinforcing plate are both replacements.
2. Neither skirt seems to fit well with the front clip.
Any help would be appreciated, as usual.
Thanks
1. The fender skirt on the driver's side is noticeably higher that the passenger's side skirt (about 1 inch?). The driver's side skirt and the reinforcing plate are both replacements.
2. Neither skirt seems to fit well with the front clip.
Any help would be appreciated, as usual.
Thanks
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 8,117
Likes: 104
From: charlotte north carolina
The only advice that I can give is to adjust the clip so that the bumper, hood and door (cowl) extensions fit. Set the hood first using extra shims under the hinges, because if it's a bit high when you finish it can be lowered if shims are present.
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From: NY
I think I solved the problem of the height issue on the driver's side fender. The one thing that I am still struggling with is fitting the rear of the fender skirts to the coontour of the front clip. The skirts have a "tab" which seems to be preventing the skirts from fitting well in the fender wells. I have the Eckler's book and the Glass-Ra series of books on corvette body repair but nothing seems to address this. Looking in my asembly manual now.
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From: NY
78 - inner skirt fit problems
.
We pulled the front clip back off. This is a photo of one of the inner skirts set inside the clip. The splash plate is inches away from the body. Is it possible that these are the wrong year fender skirts? Or is it a problem with this aftermarket clip? Any help, as always is appreciated.
Last edited by 4rensic22; Jul 15, 2015 at 06:34 PM.
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R
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From: NY
Thread Starter
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Joined: Apr 2002
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From: NY
Safety Car
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I think we`ve ALL "been there, done that!
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Great pictures.
Looks like some things are the same. The side plenum area as well as around the top by the windshield. You will do a dry fit first to see how everything lines up. Door seams height issues etc. I used Fusor brand adhesive which gives you 40 min. to get the clip set right. I have the pneumatic adhesive gun if you need it. Makes quick work of that part. I will be watching.
R
Looks like some things are the same. The side plenum area as well as around the top by the windshield. You will do a dry fit first to see how everything lines up. Door seams height issues etc. I used Fusor brand adhesive which gives you 40 min. to get the clip set right. I have the pneumatic adhesive gun if you need it. Makes quick work of that part. I will be watching.
R
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 8,117
Likes: 104
From: charlotte north carolina
Are you trying to set the surround and hood at the same time? Others may disagree, but I would set the hood, dry fit the surround and the bumper and then mark lines on the hood, doors and surround with crayon (or similar). Using the crayon lines as guides, the surround can only go on one way (because the hood is stationary) with a correct fit to the bumper and cowl areas. The Pucker Factor will be high with the adhesive on the parts, so anything that can be done to ensure a proper fit will be a relief. Just my experience after doing two of these.
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2009
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From: Charlotte NC
For what it is worth....I know you did not ask...so this is unsolicited professional advice.
I would get the car OFF the jack stands. There is no way ...even using a floor jack to support the front cross member area...that you can exactly make sure that it is supported correctly...versus the car being on the ground. TRUST ME on this one....but it is your car...do as you like.
partially with 'jnb5101'. Get your clip set and marked out to where it can only go where you have to marked...then install the hood and verify it fits fine....making sure you have decent clearance between the air cleaner lid and underside of the hood....which can be an issue on some cars.
Not knowing the status of your inner skirts....I can not reply with anything. I guess the method I use that I have used for numerous Corvettes works well for me...but I do not have the inner skirts bonded in place when putting the front clip on...they get bonded in once the clip is set. On 63-67 Corvettes...it is a different procedure.
DUB
I would get the car OFF the jack stands. There is no way ...even using a floor jack to support the front cross member area...that you can exactly make sure that it is supported correctly...versus the car being on the ground. TRUST ME on this one....but it is your car...do as you like.
partially with 'jnb5101'. Get your clip set and marked out to where it can only go where you have to marked...then install the hood and verify it fits fine....making sure you have decent clearance between the air cleaner lid and underside of the hood....which can be an issue on some cars. Not knowing the status of your inner skirts....I can not reply with anything. I guess the method I use that I have used for numerous Corvettes works well for me...but I do not have the inner skirts bonded in place when putting the front clip on...they get bonded in once the clip is set. On 63-67 Corvettes...it is a different procedure.
DUB
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From: NY
Rvzio -
I cut that strip out and screwed it to the firewall. That will supposedly will allow me to adjust the hood gap. Thanks for looking out. I need all the help I can get.
I cut that strip out and screwed it to the firewall. That will supposedly will allow me to adjust the hood gap. Thanks for looking out. I need all the help I can get.
Last edited by 4rensic22; Jul 16, 2015 at 07:07 PM.
Thread Starter
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Joined: Apr 2002
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From: NY
DUB -
I will take the car off of the jack stands. I was just following what I had read on-line and in Ecklers about leveling the car. Should I shim under the tires to get the car level when it's on the ground?
I solved the problem with the fender skirts by swapping the spash guards.
Already having a problem with the air cleaner hitting the hood.
Jnb - sounds like great advice. I will try that.
Thanks
I will take the car off of the jack stands. I was just following what I had read on-line and in Ecklers about leveling the car. Should I shim under the tires to get the car level when it's on the ground?
I solved the problem with the fender skirts by swapping the spash guards.
Already having a problem with the air cleaner hitting the hood.
Jnb - sounds like great advice. I will try that.
Thanks