Sagging front fenders and grill

[Jim E.]

The front end (front panel below hood & fenders) are about 1/4 to 1/2" low. There is also a bowing of the fenders at the top of the wheel openings. I would like to loosen the bolts at the frame around the radiator and lift the whole front assembly and try to get the panel up even with the hood. Has anyone had any experience along these lines?
Jim

[Willard M.]

Re: Sagging front fenders and grill

What year?

[Richard M.]

Re: Sagging front fenders and grill

Jim, I'm assuming you mean your '58 as stated in your profile......

Is this a original front end, or has it been replaced in the past? I am curious why you're having this issue........

The front end, or front surround as it is sometimes called, is bonded to the inner skirts. The skirts are attached to the radiator support side verticals with 2 5/16" bolts per side. The hood hinges are attached to the radiator support as well. The support will stay attached to the lower front/center 3rd arm bearing support in front of the crossmember. Note there are shims there as well, and adding some there may be necessary too.

The only way you can move the "surround" up to the hood is to remove the 2 pairs of side bolts attaching the skirts to the support, and you will have to "slot" these 4 holes in the skirts, in the bottom area of the holes. This will allow you to raise the surround "up and into" the hood. You may only have 1/2" or so of area you can slot so hopefully it will help. You may have to readjust your bumper brackets as well.

Check some of my photos and descriptions here and it may help....
Rich

http://home.comcast.net/~richmz/site/?/page/1959_Corvette_Restoration_Project_-_Part_2/

[John K.]

Re: Sagging front fenders and grill

Jim,

I had a similar problem on my mid tear. My solution was to separate the surround from the inner skirt. With the hood attached to the inner skirt I repositioned the surround. To align with the hood with the repositioned surround re-shimming the rad support. With everything in place I used some blind shims between the inner fender to hold everything in it's place. I used a 2 part 3M panel bond to reattach the inner fenders to the surround.

I am not sure how the C1 panel is attached but if it is the same as the C2 take a look at this method. I only attempted this procedure after I had a discussion with Wayne Womble. Without his help I would still be looking for the way to fix the problem.

I hope this helps.

John

[Richard M.]

Re: Sagging front fenders and grill

John.....Yes that works for the C2's as the hood hinges attach to the skirts through the captive nut plates.

On the C1's(58-62), the hood hinges attach directly to the radiator support upper outer ends(pic below). Because of this attach method, you cannot shim the surround to top of the skirt without affecting bumper location as well as the connection of the lower front valence to the lower part of the radiator shroud. It would also mean all skirt to surround front bonding strips and front upper and lower valence strips would have to be disjointed. This would be a major undertaking.

Again, I'm assuming Jim is talking about his '58, unless he's asking about a C2 then yes your method will work.

Rich

[Jim E.]

Re: Sagging front fenders and grill

What year?

Willard,

Yes it's a '58! I made the same post on a '58 only thread but didn't think it would reach enough people so figured out how to start a new thread and then forgot to include the year. Thanks all for the good suggestions and now I'll have to get off my D A and see what can be done.
Jim

[Jim E.]

Re: Sagging front fenders and grill

Rich,

Nice photo's and explaining how everything goes together. I'm hoping my problem will be easy to fix.

Thanks,
Jim