Hood and front end removal: what to watch for?

[In The Ten Ring]

I have decided to remove my front end. I have the bushings under the radiator core support coming up and since I have to replace my core support, passenger inner fender, and battery tray anyway, as well as I have a very rusty passenger outer fender-----it'll be an opportune time to get all that done at once. (NOS outer fender waiting).

I've ordered a whole front end hardware kit from Classic Industries (thanks Wrecked Chevy) and I plan to take pics of everything and label stuff as well.....what do I need to watch out for?

Also, I assume it's better to remove the hood from the hinges rather than removing the hinges (and hood) from the fenders.....is that the right way to go?

[wreckedchevy]

you are correct on the hood, remove it from the hinges

[EARNHARDT#3]

No need to take all those pictures...it's a real simple front end.

[hugger6933]

Yeah, Ten, your over thinking it. Start with the hood then the cowl panel, grille then the fenders there aren't but like 11 bolts that hold it [fender ] on the truck. You want to remove the fender and inner together so that you can lay it down to hold the nut side of the inner fender clip as they mostly will break. When they do that the bolt will just twirl and leave you frustrated so take them off as a unit then separate. Jim

[In The Ten Ring]

Originally Posted by hugger6933

Yeah, Ten, your over thinking it. Start with the hood then the cowl panel, grille then the fenders there aren't but like 11 bolts that hold it [fender ] on the truck. You want to remove the fender and inner together so that you can lay it down to hold the nut side of the inner fender clip as they mostly will break. When they do that the bolt will just twirl and leave you frustrated so take them off as a unit then separate. Jim

Thanks hugger! I'm glad I reread this thread tonight as I nearly removed my inner fender today! I'll do the extra holes in the hood tomorrow.

I drill through each hinge into the hood, right?

[slomotion]

If your hood fits well now, I would recommend that before you unbolt it, drill a 1/8" hole through the hinge plate and into the hood on both sides so you can relocate the hood exactly where it is now using a drill bit as a locator during reassembly. Some people get all righteous about drilling a little hole, "through a perfectly good body panel," but after putting the hood back on exactly where it was, at least you'll know when it comes to shimming, and adjusting the new components, the hood is correct and you can fit everything else to it.

[hugger6933]

Take a Sharpie and trace the hood hinge put line on the hood then line it back to your trace marks if you don't want to do the pilot hole thing. Some prefer the pilot hole method as they can take a pick to help line up with the holes. That method is also good to do on the door after rebuilding the hinges and checking fit before blowing it back apart for paint. Jim

[57taskforce]

I'd recommend a wiper arm tool. It makes quick, scratch/dent free work of their removal so you can remove the cowl to get to the fender bolts. I got mine from autozone for like $10. I just yanked my front clip a few weeks ago its real easy as long as you don't break any bolts...

[michael bustamante]

What to watch for........Black widows

[desertnick69]

Originally Posted by michael bustamante

What to watch for........Black widows

Or any other type of creature that can biuld a nest / bite. Here it's black widows and scorpins!

[In The Ten Ring]

I have seen 4 black widows in 37 years of WV life. *2 of them were in that garage!