'65 front clip removal

['65Burb]

I'm new and have a '65 Suburban. I want to first remove all the front sheet metal to detail the engine and firewall. I've noted some pics of guys removing the fenders and grill as a unit. Is that the way to go? What about the hood? Should I drill some 1/8" alignment holes to help in re-alignment when the hood goes back on? Any tips folks have for this sort of job will be appreciated. Thanks in advance. Lou

[Chevy Fleetside]

Removing the front clip is easiest. You will need help of course unless you have an engine hoist. Take the hood off. If you are not going to spray the hinges you can just use something to mark the hood. I usually just put it back where the bolt marks are and it usually works pretty good, other then that it really isn't that hard to line up. Here is a picture of how I put the front clip back on by myself.

['65Burb]

Great, thanks for the info.

[Captainfab]

There are basically 7 major bolts per side that will need to be removed. There are 2 behind the hood hinge that bolt the inner fender to the firewall. Then there is one at the inner fender above the frame back against the cab. If your truck has the cover that ties the inner fender together where the steering column shaft goes thru, that will need to be removed. There would be an additional 4 or 5 bolts there. Then there is a bolt at the bottom rear of the fender. There are two more bolts at the top of the fender, that are behind the fender extensions. There is also a little splash shield there that if removed makes removal a little easier......two sheetmetal screws there. Then there is the bolt that attaches the radiator support to the frame mount. Of course the bumper will need to be removed as well.

[DPowers]

Welcome to the site.

['65Burb]

Thanks again and glad to be here. Like I said, I want to detail the firewall and paint it what I plan to be the body color. Another big factor in this is that I have the deluxe heater and air package. I plan on restoring all of that and using it with the new style Sanyo (sp?) with Alan Grove mounts. Looks to me like some GM engineer went overboard designing that A/C unit with all the internal switches and controls. Is there an article out there on simplifying all of that with this sort of upgrade? I might should start a new thread on this subject.

[Chevy Fleetside]

I went a bit overboard on the firewall on my 65 though.

['65Burb]

That's gorgeous!

[Blue_Aura]

Originally Posted by Captainfab

There are basically 7 major bolts per side that will need to be removed. There are 2 behind the hood hinge that bolt the inner fender to the firewall. Then there is one at the inner fender above the frame back against the cab. If your truck has the cover that ties the inner fender together where the steering column shaft goes thru, that will need to be removed. There would be an additional 4 or 5 bolts there. Then there is a bolt at the bottom rear of the fender. There are two more bolts at the top of the fender, that are behind the fender extensions. There is also a little splash shield there that if removed makes removal a little easier......two sheetmetal screws there. Then there is the bolt that attaches the radiator support to the frame mount. Of course the bumper will need to be removed as well.

Great info! I was looking for this and shouldn't be surprised that Captain would be the one providing it! Thanks to Capt. and everyone here, I am learning a lot.

[1963c-10]

No such thing as overboard is there....haha.

[BHSM]

Thanks Captainfab, This place is great, especially for newbs like me.
Thanks

[Chevy Fleetside]

Now

[Blue_Aura]

Originally Posted by Chevy Fleetside

Now

I've said it before, I'll say it again... beautiful truck!! Still hoping to see it one day in SF (since I work there).

[Chevy Fleetside]

Originally Posted by Blue_Aura

I've said it before, I'll say it again... beautiful truck!! Still hoping to see it one day in SF (since I work there).

bring your coveralls and you can help me work on it..

[Blue_Aura]

Originally Posted by Chevy Fleetside

bring your coveralls and you can help me work on it..

Coveralls? That truck is spotless! Oh, coveralls to PROTECT it from scratches, lol. What all do you have left to do to it? Pretty soon, I won't have my truck to work on, so I might just come over and help you. Your truck looks like the same color as mine, so I'll just pretend its mine for a few hours. ha ha.

[Chevy Fleetside]

I have alot of liittle things to do. untill I get to the bed. OH yeah. I have another truck at the shop that needs to be taken apart. hahahhaa Acually 1 and a half