Tilt Front End for C3
 

What's it take to make/buy/fit a cool tilt front end like GrandsportC3 has? Vendors?? Parts?? Kits??? Totally custom??? Do you use the gear from a C4 to make all the latches and hardware work???

Re: Tilt Front End for C3 (Carl in LA)
 

>>What's it take to make/buy/fit a cool tilt front end like GrandsportC3 has?

The one I have on my 68 is one of a kind. It is not a kit! The original owner owned a bodyshop and built the tilt front himself. Ecklers sells a so called "Monza" tilt front. This kit is quite different from my tilt front but it's also pretty cool. Ecklers doesn't have this kit in their catalog but you can find it on their web page!

http://www.ecklers.com/product.asp?p...dept%5Fid=1356

>>Vendors?? Parts?? Kits??? Totally custom??? Do you use the gear from a >>C4 to make all the latches and hardware work???

My Vette originally (after the conversion) had a electric/hydraulic motor to open/close the hood just like power windows. The unit is still in the car but doesn't work. I have to manually open and close the hood. I actually would like to replace that unit but I haven't found where I can get it! In order to fit this electic/hydraulic unit some minor welding has been done to mount a bracket to hold the unit. If I don't find this unit I will probably try to fit a C4 one on my Vette!

Olivier




[Modified by GrandSportC3, 12:59 PM 3/31/2002]

Re: Tilt Front End for C3 (GrandSportC3)
 

Now that has got to be the absolute coolest thing I have everheard of... I would make a point of checking my oil at every gas stop just to show-off that push button hood!!! I also like how the hood seem disapears with your version.

Re: Tilt Front End for C3 (Carl in LA)
 

>>Now that has got to be the absolute coolest thing I have everheard of... I
>>would make a point of checking my oil at every gas stop just to show-off
>>that push button hood!!!

This car was actually at several shows in the mid 70's... It would be so great if I would find the correct part again...

Olivier

Re: Tilt Front End for C3 (GrandSportC3)
 

here is a picture of the setup!

https://www.corvetteforum.net/c3/grandsportc3/motor.jpg

Re: Tilt Front End for C3 (GrandSportC3)
 

Does the radiator seal to the body like the stock setup allows? Is that big boy a candidate for overheating?

Re: Tilt Front End for C3 (GrandSportC3)
 

Looks like the hatch lift on my boat.

Re: Tilt Front End for C3 (GrandSportC3)
 

Have you thought of visiting the local low-rider's club?
Seems like they could fix you up in a flash? :confused:

Re: Tilt Front End for C3 (tworottiedogs)
 

thats exactly what i thought as well.
On my 76 cigarette and most other boats to open the hatch its an electric motor that pumps the hydraulics. I would check into a boat supply. Even if its not the exact one, they may be able to find you one that has the right length lift and able to support the weight.

Re: Tilt Front End for C3 (74VETTE)
 

my father just told me its actually a electric motor, and the piece that looks like a hudraulic is actually like a screw the extends out.
he says he belives they come in lengths of 18", 24" and 30"

Re: Tilt Front End for C3 (Carl in LA)
 

>>Does the radiator seal to the body like the stock setup allows? Is that big
>>boy a candidate for overheating?

The radiator seals just like the original one. It's a interesting construction.
I actually run between 180 and 195 degrees coolant temperature (in steamy South Florida). I run triple fans (dual electric pusher) and the belt driven puller fan, High Flow Water Pump (+30% flow), High Flow 160 degree Thermostat, Big Block Radiator, Steel-Flex Cooling Hoses and Water Wetter in the Radiator...

Olivier

Re: Tilt Front End for C3 (tworottiedogs)
 

Thanks tworottiedogs, 74Vette and 72Rdstr for your tips. I will check at a store for boat accessories!

Olivier

Re: Tilt Front End for C3 (GrandSportC3)
 

I finally found out what kind of part my hood opener/closer is....

It is actually a convertible top opener/closer. The part on the left side is a electric
pump that pumps fluid into the hydraulic cylinder which opens/closes the hood.
I even found a place where I can buy a brand new assembly!!!

https://www.corvetteforum.net/c3/grandsportc3/motor.jpg

:cheers:

Olivier

Re: Tilt Front End for C3 (GrandSportC3)
 

GrandSport

You owe Carl a big thank you for getting you started on fixing that hood. That is one nice ride and trick to boot!

Re: Tilt Front End for C3 (Fevre)
 

>>GrandSport
>>
>>You owe Carl a big thank you for getting you started on fixing that hood. That is one nice ride and trick to boot!

I actually started looking more intensively for this part recently because the upper bolt of the hydraulic cyliner broke. So I removed the
whole assembly and went to a couple of marine hydraulic and other places specialized in hydraulic parts. Today I went to "Broward
Hydraulics" in Fort Lauderdale. They didn't have the part but had a catalog of Hydro-e-lectric - a company specialized in electro- hydraulic
convertible top motors. Some of those motors look almost identical to the setup that I have. Now I only have to find out what car
this part came out of. ..

Thanks go out to Carl for starting the thread and all the people posting helpful suggestions!!!

:cheers:

Olivier

Re: Tilt Front End for C3 (GrandSportC3)
 

Is it possible that GrandSportC3 will have the only electric, remote controlled, clamshell hood on a C3 Vette - That is going to be sooooo :cool: :cool: :cool: :cool:

Re: Tilt Front End for C3 (Carl in LA)
 

>>Is it possible that GrandSportC3 will have the only electric, remote
>>controlled, clamshell hood on a C3 Vette - That is going to be >>sooooo :cool: :cool:

I am currently trying to find out what car this convertible top opener came out of. Those assemblies are not cheap. The whole assembly costs around $400. When I know what car this convertible top opener came out of - I can look for a used one for much less than $400...

Olivier

Re: Tilt Front End for C3 (GrandSportC3)
 

thats pretty interesting for a tilt, how much weight does it add? We are modifying stock front ends. Basically its a manual, we have not put any cylinders on ours. Only give away is the 2 pull handles on the inside and the side seam like the C4's. Hood opens like normal. Sure is easy to work on with all I have under it. If you're interested I can send some other pics. My 81 will be at Carlsile this August. :eek:

Re: Tilt Front End for C3 (81VETTOM)
 

>>how much weight does it add?

the whole assembly has 13 lbs.


Olivier


[Modified by GrandSportC3, 9:40 PM 4/11/2002]

Re: Tilt Front End for C3 (GrandSportC3)
 

[QUOTE]>>What's it take to make/buy/fit a cool tilt front end like GrandsportC3 has?

The one I have on my 68 is one of a kind. It is not a kit! The original owner owned a bodyshop and built the tilt front himself. Ecklers sells a so called "Monza" tilt front. This kit is quite different from my tilt front but it's also pretty cool. Ecklers doesn't have this kit in their catalog but you can find it on their web page!

http://www.ecklers.com/product.asp?p...dept%5Fid=1356

>>Vendors?? Parts?? Kits??? Totally custom??? Do you use the gear from a >>C4 to make all the latches and hardware work???

My Vette originally (after the conversion) had a electric/hydraulic motor to open/close the hood just like power windows. The unit is still in the car but doesn't work. I have to manually open and close the hood. I actually would like to replace that unit but I haven't found where I can get it! In order to fit this electic/hydraulic unit some minor welding has been done to mount a bracket to hold the unit. If I don't find this unit I will probably try to fit a C4 one on my Vette!

Olivier

------------------
Kinda funny considering I just e-mailed you with pretty much the same exact question :D