The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area General Truck Talk 46 Chevy front fenders, grill and hood going on for the 1st time - HELP

I will be putting the front of my truck together this week to see what is what. Need to straighten out the grill a bit, fix one fender bottom and figure out the hood.

Is there some good info (diagrams or pictures) that show some of how all this fits in detail? I bought the original shop manual but it doesnt cover truck bodys. I also have purchased all the rubber grommets, gaskets, bumpers etc. I think I have almost everything I need.

I am unsure how the hood mounts in the center (front and back) and the procedure to allign radiator frame, grill, and the front of the fenders. I also dont have the front center piece of the hood (hood orniment ?)

Thanks Jim

I'll be doing the same with my 46 come spring Jim, getting an assembly diagram is just about impossible, I know from other forum entries that you assemble the body parts lose as there will be adjusting to do. Brads page has a diagram of the front grille and smaller parts but from what I can figure everything seems to be attached to and supported by the rad support while the rear of the fenders are bolted to the cab. Seems like a bit of a puzzle with each part supporting the other but it will all come together. sort of like a modern day energy absorbing front end.
Good luck, Bob T

"energy absorbing front end" I hate the thought of that !!!!! I will look for Brads page. Thanks Bob. Mine was together when I bought it, but It was missing brackets and not aligned properly and the hood was not on. I have studdied it and your right. It all comes together at the same time. As far as I can tell, even the running boards have sideways adjustment ( both mine were off to one side). I just love this truck. Cant wait.

Jim

I found brads page, and its a good one. I still dont know where and how the little brackets go together. I could sure use some pictures of the bottom corners where the fenders meet the grill and that little bracket (I dont have that bracket) and a picture or 2 of the top of the grill where it meets the fenders and that other flat panel

Any help would be great.

Thanks Jim

Jim I have the front end off of my 41 right now but if you would like I can take some pictures of the parts if you think that would help.

I went through the same headache when re-assembling my 46. With all those weird pieces, supports etc etc, but not to worry the thing goes together better than most 40s vehicles. Just keep in mind that the radiator support is the key piece for the entire front end.
There are some good factory drawings that show the front clip exploded, which should help. Search this site

Yes 41Chevy, I would love pictures.
I know about the small angle bracket near the top of the radiator support. I also have the upper baffle (fiberglass) and the lower baffle (steel), both fenders and fender extensions. I also have the big arched brackets under the fenders, and the grill complete.

What I dont have, and will have to make for now, is the center baffle,front skirt, rear bracket.

Pictures of the location of these parts would be helpful.

I also have no front center hood support. Just 2 holes in the radiator support. What does that part look like?

I am also going to make the lower rocker pannel as oposed to using fiberglass. Pics as well would help.

My email is [email protected]

love love love all the pics you can send. I have a blazing fast connection.

Jimerit, Good to know. I have been studying it as I work on other things, and I can see how it all comes together around that support.

You guys are very helpful, than God Your out there to ask!!!

Thanks Jim

Here's a pic. (I think.)
If this works, more to come.
http://img402.imageshack.us/img402/630/mvc772sjf8.jpg
Timmer

Yesssssss. Worked great. So thats what its spose to look like.

Thanks much Timmer. Keep em comming brother.

Jim

OK,
Here are a few more, hope that helps some.

http://img208.imageshack.us/img208/5990/mvc764soh1.jpg

http://img208.imageshack.us/img208/7681/mvc765svy4.jpg

http://img208.imageshack.us/img208/389/mvc766sze8.jpg

http://img145.imageshack.us/img145/9757/mvc763szi2.jpg

You HAVE to mount the Radiator Ring FIRST. EVERYTHING is based on it being in position.

Put it ALL together WITHOUT tightening ANYTHING down all the way. You will need the free play and movement of all the pieces until you get it put together, THEN you can lock 'er down.

If you have the original grille going back in, it will be easier than the aftermarket grille as it is not exact. Makes a preacher want to cuss.

If you are doing a restoration, you will do yourself a favor and 'splurge' on Stainless nuts and bolts for all this.

I have taken several completely apart, bolt by bolt, have completely put one back together, bolt by bolt, and working on putting another back together now, bolt by bolt.

If you have questions, you can call me at my office, toll free @ 877.845.7150 9 am til 4 pm, Monday thru Friday.

Timmer

Those pics helped a bunch. I am missing some pieces, it seems to me. My grill is aftermarket (I think) but I am going to do a trial fit, just to see where I am at.

I do have my droplite hanging in the right place though, the radiator too !!!

I may be calling you, my friend.

Merry Christmas to you and your family.

Thanks, Jim

Yea, that droplite comes in handy when the generator goes out going down the road.
And now that Wal-Mart has that new 60 mile extension cord spool, you can just mount it in the back and take off. It's great.

Glad to help out. Give me a call

Timmer

Jim here is an item you might be interested in on ebay. A little high on the price but no one makes a reproduction of this item.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=270072365868&ssPageName=ADME:B:WNARL:MT:12

Good find 41. I dont have one of those. I dont know how high it will go, but the current price is not bad at all, considering the time to make one. Timmer just sent me the pic of that part, and I was at the shop today looking at how to duplicate it.

I have the grill and all the relating parts on the work bench right now, knocking things into shape before I install them on the truck in the next couple days.

Timmer, your pictures were great. They made things make sense. I have never owned anything this old before, so its all new to me. I printed them and they are at the shop getting dirty, like everything else.

The re-make of the grill I have, although almost new, is next to junk. The upper doesnt fit the lower very well.

I am bolting the lower baffel, grill and the left and right pieces That funnel air into the radiator,
I am wondering if there is any rubber between any of these parts?
Does the grill bolt steel to steel all the way around?

As allways thanks for your help.

Jim

By the way Timmer, I was at the Wallmart and they only had the 40 mile cord. I'll wait.

Jim

Jim
Metal to metal except:
1- Fender to running board has a rubber trim piece.
2- Fender to fire wall has a rubber trim piece.
3- Headlite bucket to fender has rubber trim piece.
4- Radiator ring has a heavy duty rubber piece it sits on.

Also, try these websites, they have a ton of parts.
http://www.americanclassic.com/

http://www.parts123.com/PartFrame.a...softhe40s.com&TITLE=Chevs_of_the_40s

http://www.fillingstation.com/

http://www.oldchevytrucks.com/cgi/htmlos.exe/start.htm

Personally, I like the last one listed here. But before you start fabricating too many parts, you may find some here.

The 60 mile cord is only available in Mississippi at the moment, since it is so far between houses here. I think Montana is getting the next batch.

Timmer

Thanks again, Timmer. Before I started I went through these catalogs and bought all the gaskets and small stuff they had. I have all the rubber you mentioned, just with the poor fit, I thought I was missing something.

Wish me luck!

You guys are a great help.

Jim

Jim, if you are still missing parts keep in mind that the Big 3 swapmeet is comming up here in San Diego the last week in Feb. Start making your wish list soon.

Regards,

Kirk

Well I put my fenders, grille and hood on awhile ago and they fit very well. I took them back off and put the radiator side and lower baffles on and then put the fenders back on. Nothing fit and it fought me all the way. I just realized that the inner fenders have to go next to the rad. support and then the baffles. I put it together A** backwards. Guess what I will be doing for the next few days. Next time I won't wait almost 7 years to put it back together.

Thanks for that. I had assumed that the inner fenders went on to the radiator support after the baffels.
Just today I put the side and bottom baffels on with no fenders or grill just for a test fit. Wow what a cow catcher. Looks like a big air scoop...... I guess thats what it is. They sure dont make em like that anymore!

How do I post a picture?

Jim

There are lots of ways. But a 'nice' way to do it on Stovebolt, so it won't eat up a lot of bandwidth is to go to:
http://imageshack.us/index.php
It is a free service.
Just snap your pic. Save it on your computer somewhere you can find it.
Go to the web site, upload the pic and 'Host' it.
Then scroll past all the 'links' it has, and go to the last one that says:
'Direct link to image'
copy it and paste it here.
Then, when 'We' see it, we can click on it and 'shazaam', there's the pic!
Timmer

Here's the link to Brads page for anyone else who may need it.
Good exploded views.

http://www.brads41-46chevys.com/index.html

Just another tip the "v" from the cowl to the rad support is very important. Don't bring the "v" into the cowl to far or push the rad support out to far with the "v". Also the hood latch brackets are adjustable.

Thanks Tim for the picture tips, and the info on the phone, So if I were to post a picture, where would it be viewed at?

41, dont know about the big 3, I will find out.

Got it, Dad6timz.

mmc, bookmarked, thanks.

Do the running boards adjust left and right? Something doesnt mesure quite right from side to side. Found that on my way out the door tonight.

So the inner fender go on, then the side baffel, then the fender and bracket? When does the grill go on, last?

I have an extra guage panel. Whats it worth?

or maybe I should just stand on the corner with a cup and a sign "rebuilding a 46, need cash" What do you think?

Thanks Jim

Jim,
Go to ebay and put this number into the search locator: 120069092720
That is the piece you need to hold on the hood at the rear. It mounts with 2 bolts. You put the two pieces/halves of the hood together and then slide it into this piece in the rear. Then, you attach the 'bullnose' piece on the front and that secures the hood.
ALSO, when you post, it will 'appear' where ever you put the address.
Timmer

Hey Timmer, great pictures, especially the first one, I had those fender support rods laying under my workbench and was darned to figure out where they went, now I know and am glad I never threw anything in the scrap heap. I'm putting my 46 together in the spring and I sure got a lot of grear info from this forum. Bob T

Bob,
I learned a long time ago, before I even remove the dust and dirt on the vehicle, to shoot massive amounts of pics, from every angle.
There has been more than once I have had to go thru my pics to find out where and how a piece was to fit back on.
I have a 78 Landcruiser in about 4000 pieces in my shop as we speak. But I got lots of pics.
(It ain't a Stovebolt, but it is an I-6) which still qualifies me to be a member of Inliners International.)
When you get ready to put it back together, give me a call if you get stumped.
Toll Free 877.845.7150
Timmer

Well I missed that bullnose that the front of the hood hinge fits into abovve the grill. I had bid $40 and it sold for 41 while I was at work.

Is there another place to find one of those?

Thanks
Jim

Well, thanks to you all I am test assembleing the front. All the parts are in good shape, after a little dolly and hammer work and some welding here and there. That should go well.

I am looking at the parts for sale on Brads page, and I come across a pair of rear fender brackets. I dont have them.

Where do they go?

Thanks again, and a HAPPY NEW YEAR to you all and your familys (and your trucks).

Jim