[jumpmaster]

I would like to remove the grill and fenders this weekend so I can get to the engine better. Any tips, specific order of removal, or anything that ya'll might want to share?

[Bgonz 69]

Unless the nose has to come off for some other reason, leave it on. Its really no benefit to remove it just to remove the engine.Its probably a lot harder to remove a rusty nose than it is to sling a motor over the fenders.

just a thought.

[HwyStarJoe]

I saw this on Overhaulin'....
Because the front clip all fit together very well and they weren't changing the frame or anything, one of the guys drilled tiny holes in strategic places around the inside of the fenders so they could line everything back up perefectly when they put it all back together. He drilled a hole back by the hood hinges and near the front where the hood adjusters bolt through the inner and outer fenders. I'm sure there other spots also, like where the core support and fenders meet, and back where the fenders meet the cowl\firewall.

Take note of how many shims are used to adjust the fenders and exactly where they are.

If you really want to remove the front sheetmetal, but don't want to drill those tiny guide holes everywhere, use tape instead. Wrap a strip across different spots where the parts all bolt together, then slice it so it doesn't rip when you pull the parts apart from each other.
That way when you put it back together, you can use the tape as a guide to line them back up to each other. Mark where the hood hinges are on the inner fenders and where they are on the hood with tape. Mark them forward and aft, and top and bottom.

[jet_car2000]

I just removed my front clip using the hole drilling method that Joe desribed, thats the way I take them off after the body work is done before painting. and has worked good for me many time. But thats a lot to do just too work on the engine, removed this one to put the car on the frame machine to get the unibody back square,,car is twisted a good bit. Frank

[dukemd66]

Why do you want to get to the engine? Someone here has probably done that and has some insight. If you take it off piece by piece, baggy and label all bolts. Probably one of the most important things are the shims you may find on the fenders. Label them and put them back exactly like they came out.
If your body is straight you may just want to take out the engine/tranny together.

[dragon0123]

Caution on taking off the front clip.. Snowball effect is usually the norm.. Youll end up getting all that stuff off to work on the motor and youll end up replacing 1/2 the stuff you just pulled off simply because "well its off now, I may as well fix it." will end up happeneing.. Good Luck.. My advise.. if you want to drive the car in the next 2 years... leave it all on..

[JimM]

Watch out for that snowball for sure.
Thanksgiving before last, I pulled the clip to detail the engine compartment. A year later the detailing was done, also the car was painted and an entire new interior installed!

[Bgonz 69]

I told you so !!!!!

[jumpmaster]

ok ok ok. I know that pulling the engine will be easier...and it's coming out too. I just wasn't planning on pulling the engine out until August (to work on it, clean it, replace things, etc). The passenger side fender is coming off anyway to be replaced (too much bondo). As for the other fender, not sure yet, The body repair/painter guy is coming tomorrow.

I plan on replacing any bad sheet metal anyway, I need a clear shot at the suspension so I can replace and/or fix parts there, AND I would like to pressure wash the whole area so I can clean and paint things again.

Here's the bottom line,...I want the car to be ready to go by next spring (April). It runs now but looks bad and runs bad. I am prepared to do the work and commit the time.

Pulling the parts off doesn't scare me. I need to learn it and see it and experience it. I will wait for the body guy to come tomorrow and get his 2 cents also, but I like the drilling and tape method.

Thanks so far guys. Look for my great questions throughout the forum...because I'll be looking for your responses.

Jamie

[dragon0123]

Originally Posted by jumpmaster

I plan on replacing any bad sheet metal anyway, I need a clear shot at the suspension so I can replace and/or fix parts there, AND I would like to pressure wash the whole area so I can clean and paint things again.

Jamie

The snowball begins to roll...............ooooooooooooooOOOOOOOOO

lol....

No. seriously though.. welcome to the club......

[HwyStarJoe]

LOL!!!!
No doubt about it....

Kiss April 2007 goodbye!

[67FamilyFun]

Here's a method:
http://www.camaros.net/forums/showth...t=remove+front

[dukemd66]

your going to pull the subframe because it is only two bolts away. Disassemble it, powder coat it..new front end parts, so on and so forth.

[67FamilyFun]

My plan was to pull my clip to:
1. Clean up the engine bay
2. Change out the heater core
3. Do some touch up painting
What "happened" was:
1. Sanding/Paint firewall
2. Powdercoat subframe
3. New brakes
4. Coilovers
5. New engine
6. New transmission
7. New rear end...
That was 9 months ago...
-Scott

[Radcannon]

Lable The shims. The heater core has nothing to do with the engine bay. ITs under the dash. Personally i ahev my entire front clip arpart. My rockers half way off my quarters on thier way off and my floors soon to follow. Wayyyy to much work ive been working on it about 8 months now and i still have a ways to go. I would personally get a steam cleaner and just steam clean the area inside your engine compartment thats dirty and just spray paint it. If theres no rust it will look fine.r