where should I cut the nose in replacing the front clip?

[Michael L.]

Guys,

I just dropped off the body to my paint guy and we discussed replacing the nose due to a prior hit the nose took. We both agreed It definitely needs to be replaced but I'm trying to decide where to have him cut the nose off. He suggested angling the cut so that the factory seam seen inside the wheel well that runs along the long axis just at the top of the fender would be undisturbed. He would then angle back to the corner of the hood cutout. Anyone have any recommendations? Thanks,

Mike

[Patrick H.]

Re: where should I cut the nose in replacing the front clip?

I'd remove the whole front clip in front of the doors. Anything else will come back to haunt you.

Add:

http://www.corvette-restoration.com/restoration/body_and_interior/070923_front_clip_removal.htm

[Joe R.]

Re: where should I cut the nose in replacing the front clip?

Michael,

Would certainly agree with Patrick as cuts anywhere USUALLY show when the repair is cured. Replacing the surround should eliminate that problem if the surround is replaced from the seam to the doors. That cut from the hood to the doors is not a wise decision.

Just one man's opinion but I have walked in those shoes more than once.

JR

[Donald L.]

Re: where should I cut the nose in replacing the front clip?

What front end are you buying? If it is a full press mold front take it all off. If you are buying a cheep hand laid front a lot of them don't come up to the windshield. I would use press mold and take it all off.

[Tracy C.]

Re: where should I cut the nose in replacing the front clip?

Guys,

I just dropped off the body to my paint guy and we discussed replacing the nose due to a prior hit the nose took. We both agreed It definitely needs to be replaced but I'm trying to decide where to have him cut the nose off. He suggested angling the cut so that the factory seam seen inside the wheel well that runs along the long axis just at the top of the fender would be undisturbed. He would then angle back to the corner of the hood cutout. Anyone have any recommendations? Thanks,

Mike

If you want a problem free installation for years to come, replace the panels at there intended "as designed" locations. This is an easier way to go about this anyway. If your body man doesn't recognize that, he isn't familiar with Corvettes.

No way would I let him do a hackjob on my car. You shouldn't either.

tc

[Frank D.]

Re: where should I cut the nose in replacing the front clip?

If you want a problem free installation for years to come, replace the panels at there intended "as designed" locations. This is an easier way to go about this anyway. If your body man doesn't recognize that, he isn't familiar with Corvettes.

tc

Which is what I chose to do...

The devil is in the details...this car has an original 63 replacement headlight header bar, nose support rods and radiator core support from a restomod project.

[Donald W.]

Re: where should I cut the nose in replacing the front clip?

Remove all from Windshield forward, install new like the factory did. Noland Adams has a great photo section of the assembly line back in the day building the complete body. Good luck and take care and you will be very happy when finished....Don

[Michael L.]

Re: where should I cut the nose in replacing the front clip?

Thanks guys sounds like solid advice and unanimous to boot. I'll go with a new front clip. Do they make good re-pop clips or should I go salvage yard replacement?

Mike

[Frank D.]

Re: where should I cut the nose in replacing the front clip?

You may find an original use-able, hood, parking light panel and the like...but hood surrounds are tough. Cars wrecked badly in the front prob have the surround destroyed (mine did). When I talked to Andy Cannizo and David Sokolowski, neither had seen an original 63 surround in nearly a decade.

If they are wrecked in the back (with a good surround) then they are usually repaired and put back on the road.

This leaves you with Corvette Image, Semersheims (now Lee Bump) or a GM SMC surround... The lead time on the first two can be weeks to months I'm told, the SMC are around but of different construction than original (but very strong) and require special bonding adhesive.

Not to discourage you, but you'll have some decisions to make balancing time against materials to use, etc..

[Michael L.]

Re: where should I cut the nose in replacing the front clip?

Thanks Frank. Mine is a 69 so maybe it's a little easier to find. I will start looking.

Mike

[Michael L.]

Re: where should I cut the nose in replacing the front clip?

OK so here is the update. I spoke with the shop where the body is. The person I had spoken to about cutting the body was the shop owner, who it turns out doesn't do the work. When I spoke to the body shop manager he agreed that cutting it was not a good idea. We discussed the option of replacing the hood surround along the bonding strips vs a whole new front clip and, if new clip, whether to source an original or get a repro. We also discussed that even if we did the top surround only, the clip needs to come off to repair some rust seen up by the windshield frame. I will definitely have the car judged when all this is done so that has to be considered. I called a few other shops to check on what they would do and they all mentioned whatever option I go with to use only GM "stuff". I'm not sure if they meant used original or if they meant new but sold by GM. I'm looking for additional thoughts on this. This is by far the biggest decision on this entire project and any additional advice is appreciated.

Mike

[Michael L.]

Re: where should I cut the nose in replacing the front clip?

OK so here is the update. I spoke with the shop where the body is. The person I had spoken to about cutting the body was the shop owner, who it turns out doesn't do the work. When I spoke to the body shop manager he agreed that cutting it was not a good idea. We discussed the option of replacing the hood surround along the bonding strips vs a whole new front clip and, if new clip, whether to source an original or get a repro. We also discussed that even if we did the top surround only, the clip needs to come off to repair some rust seen up by the windshield frame. I will definitely have the car judged when all this is done so that has to be considered. I called a few other shops to check on what they would do and they all mentioned whatever option I go with to use only GM "stuff". I'm not sure if they meant used original or if they meant new but sold by GM. I'm looking for additional thoughts on this. This is by far the biggest decision on this entire project and any additional advice is appreciated.

Mike

Have been looking for an original top surround with no luck for the past couple of weeks. Wondering if anyone has any input on best re-pop options for a car that I'm planning to have judged so I thought I'd recycle this up to the top. If essential for a judged car I can keep looking for a good quality original or if there is no way to tell the difference once installed I might go with a re-pop. If the latter any recs on a source?

Mike

[Joe R.]

Re: where should I cut the nose in replacing the front clip?

Got lucky to find this one at Carlisle a few years ago. Came from a 63 Roadster.

As Joe L. says, NOT FOR SALE

JR

[Frank D.]

Re: where should I cut the nose in replacing the front clip?

Two of the top restorers I talked to hadn't seen an original surround in over a decade... If you think about it, any car hit hard enough that they would sell it for parts prob has the surround damaged severely; unless it was hit in only the back and that damage is often repaired and the car returned to service.

That leaves the 2-3 usual repro panel folks or the later SMC surrounds...which are distinguished by their mottled gray, marble-like coloring and baby-butt smooth backside. But they are nice parts (and GM BTW) and with paint on top and a bit of roughing up of the underside can be pretty acceptable..

[Patrick B.]