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

[Michael L.]

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..

I have been able to find a couple of OEM front clips with apparently clean hood surrounds on ebay and craigslist, but they of course would require me to go and inspect them and then haul them home on a trailer. They're also quite pricey as the sellers seem to think they have gold. I'm willing to do that if its essential on a car that I intend to have judged. If not, I would prefer to order the highest quality new hood surround and then can have it shipped to the shop. What I'm trying to find out is if I go with new is it a deal killer for a car that I want to have judged? If it's not a deal killer, with attention to the judging issue, would you recommend SMC surrounds or something else? I am pretty committed to replacing only the hood surround, I just want to keep the car as original as possible and several other restorers I have spoken to that specialize in corvettes recommended keeping all the original fiberglass I can. Your input on these issues is greatly appreciated.

Mike

[Patrick H.]

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

It's a LOT of work to replace a hood surround. The front clip often has to come off, be completely disassembled, and then reassembled with the new piece. It can likely be done without taking it all off, but that too is a lot of work.

You may find out from your body guy - I assume (!) it's someone well experienced with Corvettes - what the time/cost difference is between replacing the surround vs. replacing the nose. You may be time and money ahead to swap the nose intact and sell off your good pieces individually.

Yes, buying a front clip requires a lot of time and effort. The first time I went to get mine I ended up in the ditch along a highway due to black ice. I successfully picked it up on the second trip, but it was several hours away in eastern Ontario, and the deal was done only by pictures. You do what you have to do.

[Rex M.]

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

Ekler's in Florida have the original mold for the surround. They mold it with SMC which is actually smoother than the original mat & resin yet molded. The mold is the same. Fit would be exact.

[Frank D.]

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

Ekler's in Florida have the original mold for the surround. They mold it with SMC which is actually smoother than the original mat & resin yet molded. The mold is the same. Fit would be exact.

The fit IS exact... This SMC surround went on perfectly and has an original headlight header bar, radiator core support, nose support rods, etc. The underside is roughed up a bit like original glass and even has the little nub on the hood lip ahead of the 13th cowl vent... The color of the glass is a giveaway but with the wheel well undercoating its even hard to see that anywhere.

I would refer you to the NCRS Judging Reference Manual and its discussion on replacement panels if you want the word from "the horses's mouth"..

[Michael L.]

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

Ok I ordered the Judging Reference Manual and will review what it says. My body man has already recommended going with a whole new clip, it was only me who wanted to avoid non-OEM body panels. The front clip is coming off no matter what for some sheet metal repair around the windshield so that has to be done anyway. Just looking for the best way to address this on a car that I'm looking to have judged.

[Patrick H.]

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

I would go with OEM front clip as first choice, your parts plus new surrounds as second, and a new complete front end as third choice.
But, that's just me.

[Michael L.]

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

Yeah that's what I was figuring. The clips I have found were either from a different year or had some fender damage so if the hood surround checked out on inspection I would be looking at using my fenders no matter what. I think I will start with using my parts with an OEM surround and keep looking for a whole new clip. If one pops up I can use it but I don't want to wait on it.

[Patrick H.]

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

Sounds good to me.

[Frank D.]

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

Yeah that's what I was figuring. The clips I have found were either from a different year or had some fender damage so if the hood surround checked out on inspection I would be looking at using my fenders no matter what. I think I will start with using my parts with an OEM surround and keep looking for a whole new clip. If one pops up I can use it but I don't want to wait on it.

The same conundrum I had and the same decision I reached.

I was on the prowl for 63 original pieces for weeks (months ?) and was lucky to even score an original hood. I did source original nose support rods, a 63-only radiator core support and headlight header bar. I literally had friends digging out original parts in their attics. Usable major original front end body panels (e.g. a surround) are the devil to find.

At some point - you have 'to pull the trigger' and move ahead with the repairs or you'll be in "parts paralysis" forever...

I won't clutter things up here with a ton of pictures but if you want to see individual stages of my repairs you can PM me with an email address and I'll forward what might interest you.

[Tim G.]

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

Frank, "parts paralysis", I love that term.....