Blue70

Well I am still waiting for the insurance company to get out here and look at my car



I've been going over the different options in my head and was wondering how hard is it to replace the nose? Can someone walk me through the basics? I figure it's just cut off the old stuff, replace radiator support, square it up, lay on some goop where the fenders touch the supports, and strap it all in place untill goop sets up. Am I close?

I am looking at the "door to door" front ends from Ecklers



What adhesive is used? (it looks like the fenders are glues to ribs)

johns_vette

I replaced the front clip on a 79. I purchased two books 1. Ecklers Complete Guide to Fiberglass repair 2. Glas-Ra Vol.3. They both provide good information about how the structure is and what to look for and order of bonding. The way I did mine was I bought a used complete clip, however I had to break the inner fenders loose and rebond once I had everything set. I took my time and worked on fitting everything before any bonding and it took about five days. If I had to do it again, i'm sure it would still take time, but I did get all the body lines to match.

The bonding adhesive I used was Lord Fusor EZ127 (slow set).

FEDX

By the way,if you decide to replace the entire cap with a one piece,send me a PM or a email.I have a complete one brand new from Vanacor,that I'm not using.

crf311

If you do the replacement yourself make sure you install your hood first, and then line up the front clip. You can always raise your hood with shims but you will not be able to lower it if you mount the clip to low. Just my .02 . Good luck

AGVI

Go for the 'door to door' and front spoiler

427basketcase

When I installed mine I did like mentioned above, install the hood and dry fit everything, I then made several reference marks on the fenders to the doors. Instead of strapping to bond I drilled several pilot holes around the cowl supports. I used a cake decorating bag so when I mixed up the first batch of Vette Bond I was able to lay down a nice consistent bead. I did not bond the inner fenders at first (too much at one time) After setting the clip into place and aligning the reference marks use sheet metal screws to fasten into place using the pre drilled holes. After that has dried then you can unbolt the inner fenders from the core support and drop them low enough to lay a bead of Vette Bond around the contact points, move back into place, bolt up and again screw to hold until bond has set. Remove the screws and grind a small amount away from the hole as to make a dish, or cup and fill with the panel adhesive / filler. One more tip is buy as complete of a nose as possible, some have the valence and some don't, do yourself a favor and buy the one that does. That will save you time and less bonding.

CA-Legal-Vette

Good tip.

LemansBlue68

If your insurance company is paying for the damage, don't use a one piece front end or let them assume such. Insist on original, bonded style, press molded parts . Then, after they've written you the check, do what you want .

Personally, I wouldn't use a 1-piece front end, regardless. It's a sure tip-off to any knowledgeable Corvette buyer that the car had suffered extensive front end damage at one point and it says, "body man's shortcut" all over it. Of course if you can pocket some of the cash and still have a presentable (to a passer-by) Vette, that may make up for the non-original repairs.

codestar7

Yo...john, Hows your day? Where can we get some of that slow set?

CalHusker

I have a 72 that needs a front end. I was wondering how to go about the replacement. Thanks, Mike

adam

If you work on the car a lot, consider the tilt up front end. I've though that
the engineers on the C4 were really thinking when they made the tilt up
front end. Lift it, up, everything out of the way...


Who is selling the tilting front end kits these days?

codestar7

The devil's in the details. I've owned the one piece front end for my 73 for 2 years, and I'm just geting to it this week!

CalHusker

I sure know that tune. I'lll get around to it has been a motto of miune for awhile. I must enjoy having a job to do. Nothing akes me ahppier tho as when I finally get around to it. Smile
Mike

Blue70

Well this is my daily driver, and after the insurance pays out one way or the other, I think they will want the rental car back, so this will need to be done kinda quick

codestar7

I can't speak for all one piece front ends, but I own a Vanacor "One Piece" front end, and I'm presently doing the preleminary set up to install. They lay these up by hand and the fit and finish is VERY nice. They DO make the fake panelized groove, if you were concerned with the panelized look you could acentuate these panel grooves and pay attention to the fit and finish and it wouldn't be as noticable as you think.

johns_vette

The fusor website is below. You can use their link to find a local distributor. You will also need the gun to dispense the material. The only draw back to the product is that it more "runny" than other bonding materials.

http://www.lord.com

codestar7

Many thanks John.

Chevy Guy

Holy cow, 1982 called they want their front end back.