The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Paint and Body Shop Front Clip

Need advice body guys. I want to install the inner fenders on my 49 Sub so I can finish the wiring, heater hoses, transmission cooler lines and anything else that would attach to them. I have read that the entire front clip could go on all at once. I have had the front clip on to do some welding up of cracks and straightening and I now have every thing primed. Then took everything back off. When I did this I put the inner and outer fenders on bolted together as a unit. Is it possible for me to install only the inner fenders, do my wiring etc. etc. and then bolt on the outers? What problems might I run into? Weeds

Weeds,
Check out my pics in my photo bucket, I did just as you are contimplating, hung the inner fenders,radiator, ran wiring etc.....made it nice to hang the fenders and such one at a time & since they were painted it really helped getting it all on without scratchin the pooh outta em all by myself (TIP: USE PLENTY OF BLUE PAINTERS TAPE TO PROTECT EDGES AND AN SUCH)..I had no major problems doing it just like you stated you want to go, the only bugger I ran into was fitting the aftermarket grill.
Tim

Weeds,

I've done it both ways and completely agree with Tim.

If everything is now apart, I think you are safer putting it back together in pieces. This way, it is MUCH easier to reach inside the inner fenders without the fenders being in the way. And, you will not have to worry about scratching the finish on the top surface of the fenders as you lean over them to deal with things in the engine compartment. Offer a friend a few beers to help you when you finally attach the fenders and grill (you can easily put the other parts on without assistance).

The times I have dealt with the whole "font clip" as a unit (the grill was first removed) was when removing it from the truck and then reinstalling it (I did this last summer with my Suburban). I had one helper for the removal and two helpers for the re-installation. I thought there would have been a greater risk of chipping/scratching paint by removing the "front clip" piece-by-piece and later installing the "front clip" piece-by-piece. Also, all my wiring, plumbing, and mechanical linkages were in-place and adjusted.

Tim

I assume that you've test fitted the front clip? If not you should before painting.

Tim, Woody and Tim, thanks for the replies. I have fitted the front clip and found that I need to move the radiator support forward a little. I have not fitted the hood. A fellow bolter advised that the hood should be fitted first and everything else adjusted to that so maybe thats what I should do before I try to put the inners on. When fitting the hood should I have the latch assembly and its support in place? Dumb questions I know but I am in uncharted waters here. Thanks again.

Weeds

Yea, the hood goes on first to get the hood-to-cowl gap even and then everything else fits up to that. I think it's best to play it safe and put the latch and stuff on too so that you've assembled it the way it will be when it's finished. Think of it a dry run.

When dealing with finish painted parts the "rather be safe than sorry" thing applies.

Thanks again Woody.

Weeds

Hey Guys - The latch assembly is the LAST thing to put on. Put the hood on first, for your cowls lines just like the guys said. The latch assembly bolts to the upper radiator panel which cannot be installed until the fenders and grille are installed. You'll need to move the radiator support around, fore and aft and left and right when aligning the fenders to the hood. You may need to shim the radiator core support up or down to get the fender lines and hood to grille lines to look good. When the cowl lines look good and the fender lines look good, and the grille is installed and the hood to grille lines look good, THEN you put in the latch assembly loosely to align that before tightening that down. VERY IMPORTANT: The diagonal brace rods that go from the firewall to the inner fenders adjust the entire nose left and right, that's why you leave the radiator core support loose, because you want to able to move everything around. Then tighten up the core support and make final adjustments to the latch.

Oh - one more thing - Have the inner fenders bolted up the the outer fenders when doing the adjustments in my previous post.

wbrowne, thanks for the tutorial on the front clip. I am printing it out and I am going to follow your advice along with the others. This site is the best resource only because all you guys are willing to share your wisdom and experience. I have learned much and I am still open to learning even more.

Weeds