63 radiator core support and front clip alignment

[Dan C.]

My nose on the 63 seems to be slightly lower on the passenger side and presents a challenge to align the hood and passenger fender. The gap progresses wide enough down the side of the hood to see the alignment blocks underneath, then aligns nicely again at the latch. Also, my radiator is sitting somewhat crooked in the core support, and at least the fan shroud appears to be slightly lower to the passenger side as well. (photos attached) Are these gaps related?

Is my remedy to pull the radiator and shim the core support higher on the passenger side? Or can this be done with the radiator in? Could this actually minimize the gap I have along the fender to hood? The shims are 1/16” and I am estimating 3 or 4 would be needed on one side only to level it.


Or if these gaps are not related, what is the correct approach to minimize the fender to hood gap?

Thanks, Dan

[Wayne W.]

Re: 63 radiator core support and front clip alignment

Shimming the radiator support at the frame horns will not affect the hood gaps very much. That raises or lowers the whole front as a unit. Shims at the hood hinge will raise or lower the hood at the front relative to the surround panel.

[Dan C.]

Re: 63 radiator core support and front clip alignment

OK then, thanks for saving me from taking the car apart in attept to correct this. As everything else lines up well, it appears that my 63 hood has a slight bow in it mid-way across the length on the passenger side. I have only seen this on one other 63. Is this a common occurance?

Thanks,

Dan

[Douglas C.]

Re: 63 radiator core support and front clip alignment

Dan,

A few weeks ago there was a discussion of this same issue on '65 hoods - sitting up about 1/4 in along one of the sides and not fitting flush with the upper fender line along one side. The "fix" requires you separate the hood skin from the backing support and "grinding to fit" the hood and skin flush with the fender and re-bond while fitting the hood flush.

I have a similar problem with my car and am contemplating the fix - though my body is still in raw fiberglass. I'm not too thrilled about the surgery prospects on my original hood.

Just so the Corvette gods could frustrate me, I have a second '63 hood for my SWC that fits my convt. perfect - its just a later style '63 hood and isn't correct for my early convt.

Try this link for more info...

https://www.forums.ncrs.org/showthre...=hood&uid=9282

--Doug

[Dan C.]

Re: 63 radiator core support and front clip alignment

Thanks for the additional information. As long as this is common I am not concerned enough to separate my hood skin for better fit .

Dan

[Wayne W.]

Re: 63 radiator core support and front clip alignment

It is definitely a common occurrence. No worse than yours is, I would lower the front corner on that side and hit the medium between that being low and the center being high.