C3 complete front ends
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 813
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From: death to the southeast
C3 complete front ends
On a scale of 1-10 (1 being easy), how difficult is it to remove and replace the front end on a '74? Also, what would the procedures for doing this be?
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 3,047
Likes: 124
From: Wichita KS
Re: C3 complete front ends (Teuffelhunde)
Teuffelhunde,
If you mean the front suspension, I had the engine out of my 1980 and the job was about a "3.5" on your scale. Just get a big hammer and some pickle forks and :smash: away.
I also purchased a small sand blaster and that made cleaning up the parts easier. I am also taking advantage of having the engine out of the car by replacing brake lines, air conditioning, steering, vacuum motors on the headlights, wiring, etc.
Get a copy of the Van Steel suspension video for 1963-82, it will answer a lot of your questions. The A.I.M. (Assembly Instruction Manual) for your year Corvette is also very helpful when tearing the car apart as-well-as putting it back together. Check out the link below for information on a variety of topics.
http://www.corvettefaq.com/
If you mean the front body, I don't have any experience with that. However, you might checkout this link:
http://www.tilt-a-vet.com/
The Corvette Forum and NCRS archives will have information on body off techniques.
You take care. :flag
If you mean the front suspension, I had the engine out of my 1980 and the job was about a "3.5" on your scale. Just get a big hammer and some pickle forks and :smash: away.
I also purchased a small sand blaster and that made cleaning up the parts easier. I am also taking advantage of having the engine out of the car by replacing brake lines, air conditioning, steering, vacuum motors on the headlights, wiring, etc.
Get a copy of the Van Steel suspension video for 1963-82, it will answer a lot of your questions. The A.I.M. (Assembly Instruction Manual) for your year Corvette is also very helpful when tearing the car apart as-well-as putting it back together. Check out the link below for information on a variety of topics.
http://www.corvettefaq.com/
If you mean the front body, I don't have any experience with that. However, you might checkout this link:
http://www.tilt-a-vet.com/
The Corvette Forum and NCRS archives will have information on body off techniques.
You take care. :flag
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 2,635
Likes: 0
From: Union Ontario
Re: C3 complete front ends (mapman)
If you are talking front end, I don't think its all to bad, just take your time with the sawzall. You have to remove the bnoding seams at the firewall and unbolt the front of the front end.
My parts vette already had the bonding seams cut so I had to do 6 bolts and lift it off. I did it myself but I would suggest at least one other person and a dolly for the front end. take the tires off too makes it much easier( I didn't).
My parts vette already had the bonding seams cut so I had to do 6 bolts and lift it off. I did it myself but I would suggest at least one other person and a dolly for the front end. take the tires off too makes it much easier( I didn't).
Racer
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 299
Likes: 0
Re: C3 complete front ends (MikeC)
Ecklers sells a really good book about fiberglass repair that includes a front end removal and replacement. Very detailed! It has allot of other common repairs as well... I'm going with a Tilt front end myself. If you need any fiberglass check out the link below. Very good quality and prices! :crazy:
http://www.showcars-bodyparts.com/corvette.html
http://www.showcars-bodyparts.com/corvette.html
