"WayneC" > wrote in message
...
> Miss Mac wrote:
>> Hello y'all, new to the board and I have a little question. I have a
>> 73 vette and I need to put on a new front clip. How hard would it be
>> for lil ole me to take the current one off and put on a new one? Thank
>> you kindly.
>>
>
> I haven't done it, but I know it's a LOT of work, perhaps too difficult a
> project for anyone who has to ask the question. You also may need to
> remove the engine to gain working space.
>
> Basically you need to have some way to align the new front end in all
> three planes, front and rear, which means you probably need to take
> measurements (before you disturb the existing front end) of the old front
> end in relationship to the frame or other repeatable positioning aids. It
> may be possible to align things by eye when the radiator support is in
> it's proper position and bolted to the frame and clip, assuming you really
> have a good eye and a lot of experience. You may also need to fabricate
> some jigs to assist with front end positioning/alignment. If your old
> front end is not in a condition to measure, you may need to take the
> measurements with someone else's car.
>
> The old front end is bonded to the body (unlike metal cars where the front
> clip is bolted in position), so you have to separate the old front end
> from the cowl and door frames and grind any residue of fiberglass and
> bonding agent off the body to get down to the main body fiberglass. Then
> you need to dress the bonding surfaces on the new front end and properly
> position it in place using clamps, etc until you have it exactly where it
> needs to be, grinding and smoothing all mating panels until it's exactly
> in position and clamped so the outer surfaces are aligned (may take
> multiple iterations to get things right); then mark the panels to enable
> you to put them back in that exact position before separating the front
> clip from the cowl again to coat the mating surfaces with an appropriate
> bonding compound; now reposition the front clip in it's prior exact
> position and re-clamp and/or screw it as required to hold it tightly in
> position on the cowl until the bond cures. Fill/grind any areas that need
> it, remove any clamping screws, grind out the screw holes and fill the
> holes with fiberglass mixture. Smooth all the joints down, fill & primer.
>
> Here's a couple of sites that might be of assistance:
> http://www.glas-ra.com/v3_4.html
>
> http://www.glassmandan.com/tutorials/003.html
> (guess Dan's got a good eye, because he doesn't mention any measurements)

I'll second glas-ra.
Even if you don't do it yourself, I have found Glas-Ra manuals to be a good
resource in understanding the Vette body and associated repairs. They are
not that pricey either.

Marty