Downsides to one piece front clip

[Fuelie74]

As the title says what are the down sides to a one piece front clip. My clip has to be removed because of alignment issues. I have a perfect condition 73-74 one piece front clip on my parts car.

I am considering using it for the following reasons. My the hood surround on my 74 is for a 75-79. The hood surround has a few cracks in it that need repair. The left fender needs to be replaced.

Now I am wondering if I would be better off to sell the one piece clip, repair my hood surround and install a used fender. Or if I would be better off with the on piece hand laid clip. This car is no were near being original so resale issues with the hand laid clip is not an issue to me.

 

[Twin_Turbo]

If you have to remove the old, you could always test fit the 1pc and decide after getting an idea of how well it fits.

 

[MYBAD79]

That's a 1pc flip front ?? Some like it, some don't.... if you like it use it....

I'd use the hood surround that you have and graft a fiberglass bumper on there and fix the rest - fiberglass is easy to repair, just buy the correct products.

These one piece fronts are pretty expensive so you should get enough money for it to pay for the repair and paint and have a few bux profit.....

 

[Fuelie74]

If you have to remove the old, you could always test fit the 1pc and decide after getting an idea of how well it fits.

Other than a possible fit issue is there any down side to it, like repairs?

That's a 1pc flip front ??

No its not a flip front. Its one piece, as in the hood surround and the fenders are all one piece. There is no bonding strips.

Not sure what brand mine is, but this is what I am talking about.
http://www.ecklers.com/corvette-door-to-door-front-end-stock-design-1973-1974.html

 

[MYBAD79]

Is the one you currently have OEM and SMC ?? '75 should be SMC. The other one you've got is most likely hand laid fiberglass, if I had both to choose from I'd take the OEM stuff...
Don't worry too much about the bumper mismatch ('74 vs '75), just choose the design you like and glue the fiberglass replacement bumper on there just like Adam did (he used the no bumperette style, looks great IMO)

The left fender has to be replaced ?? Alignment issues ?? Hmmm, hopefully the frame is ok.... on these cars fiberglass is easier to fix than steel....

 

[Fuelie74]

Is the one you currently have OEM and SMC ?? '75 should be SMC. The other one you've got is most likely hand laid fiberglass, if I had both to choose from I'd take the OEM stuff...
Don't worry too much about the bumper mismatch ('74 vs '75), just choose the design you like and glue the fiberglass replacement bumper on there just like Adam did (he used the no bumperette style, looks great IMO)

The left fender has to be replaced ?? Alignment issues ?? Hmmm, hopefully the frame is ok.... on these cars fiberglass is easier to fix than steel....

Yes the car was wrecked years ago. When they replaced the front clip they mounted to far forward. I said the left fender needs to be replaced because it is missing the lower lip rear lip. Right about where the sidepipe would come out. I would guess that part of the fender got broke off from pore handling of the clip before it was put on. Frame is fine, it was replaced.

Yes the stuff on my car is SMC and the front clip on the parts car is hand laid.

 

[MYBAD79]

I would expect the replacement (hand laid fiberglass) part to require some work to make it fit right, although Eckler's quality is pretty darn good - see if it is an Eckler's part, they usually place a sticker under the 'glass on the inside....

I'm getting ready to cut my front fenders to install the flares - do you want the lower corner with the mudflap ??

 

[Fuelie74]

Maybe this isn't that big of a deal but here is what I am talking about. If you do cut off the piece that is missing on mine I would love to get it from you. I really appreciate the offer!

Right Fender


Left Fender


Crack in Hood Surround

 

[MYBAD79]

That crack can be fixed, easy.....


I thought you meant the lower corner where the mudflap is. I'm going to be cutting where I drew the red line:



The lower lip serves no purpose other than providing mounting holes for the rocker panels - need to be modified to clear sidepipes.... looks like someone clearanced a little too much for the pipes. I doubt the lip broke during handling.

 

[keywestjack]

This is the company I was thinking about for a one piece for my 77

acivette.com Does anyone have experience with them? I would love to get a clam shell front end, but don't think they are readily availvable.

 

[JeffP1167]

Your repairs are easy .... Just graft in the damaged piece, where the crack is grind it down and lay new glass. then break the bond and reset the front clip.

 

[stinger12]

Don't replace the front end, you will regret it. The amount of time it takes to CORRECTLY fit all the pieces is insane. Do your repairs and move on.

 

[Fuelie74]

Don't replace the front end, you will regret it. The amount of time it takes to CORRECTLY fit all the pieces is insane. Do your repairs and move on.

I think that is what I am going to do. I am waiting to get a couple other projects finished up in the next couple weeks and once they are done I am going to start into the Vette.

 

[stinger12]

Don't replace the front end, you will regret it. The amount of time it takes to CORRECTLY fit all the pieces is insane. Do your repairs and move on.

I think that is what I am going to do. I am waiting to get a couple other projects finished up in the next couple weeks and once they are done I am going to start into the Vette.

Good. The last thing I wanted to hear from anyone on THIS FORUM was that they were replacing an entire front end instead of just replacing a damaged fender.

I'll put it to you this way. Next time I have to install a new front end, I am going to be doing it my way. I am going to order two fenders, two inner fenders, a surround, and a new header bar, then I am going to bond it together myself. The amount of work it takes to fit one of the aftermarket front ends is ridiculous...you mine as well build it yourself. It will turn out exactly the way you want it to that way. The problem with the one piece front ends is that you have to sometimes make a sacrifice to fit in some areas, because no Corvette is exactly the same. The beauty lines are all different on these cars, and, unless you are willing to redo the rear of your door gaps as well, you will not end up with a perfect result.

Good luck. If you need any advice, just PM me, I'd be glad to help.

 

[Belgian1979vette]

Seems like perfectly repairable. Aligning the front end is not such a big issue as you would think. Takes a lot of patience and a helping hand, but thats about it.

I would suggest keeping it original.

 

[DeeVeeEight]

Maybe this isn't that big of a deal but here is what I am talking about. If you do cut off the piece that is missing on mine I would love to get it from you. I really appreciate the offer!

Right Fender


Left Fender


Crack in Hood Surround

You can fix that crack pretty easy and not have to go through all the other agony. I had some cracks like that, I ground them down enough to lay some fiberglass on top, let it cure, then sanded it down smooth, see my strip tease post if you want pics.

 

[Fuelie74]

Don't replace the front end, you will regret it. The amount of time it takes to CORRECTLY fit all the pieces is insane. Do your repairs and move on.

I think that is what I am going to do. I am waiting to get a couple other projects finished up in the next couple weeks and once they are done I am going to start into the Vette.

Good. The last thing I wanted to hear from anyone on THIS FORUM was that they were replacing an entire front end instead of just replacing a damaged fender.

I'll put it to you this way. Next time I have to install a new front end, I am going to be doing it my way. I am going to order two fenders, two inner fenders, a surround, and a new header bar, then I am going to bond it together myself. The amount of work it takes to fit one of the aftermarket front ends is ridiculous...you mine as well build it yourself. It will turn out exactly the way you want it to that way. The problem with the one piece front ends is that you have to sometimes make a sacrifice to fit in some areas, because no Corvette is exactly the same. The beauty lines are all different on these cars, and, unless you are willing to redo the rear of your door gaps as well, you will not end up with a perfect result.

Good luck. If you need any advice, just PM me, I'd be glad to help.

Thanks for the offer. I am sure I will be PMing you when I get going on this in the near future.

I think you are missing the part that this is not the original clip, so it probably still will not want to line up nicely.

Unfortunately I will be pulling at least the left side quarter panel because it is coming loose already at the front seam.