easiest way to remove the front clip - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

frankenstein69 · 04-11-2011, 10:23 AM

Hey Guys,
I will be installing a new engine and transmission next weekend along with getting the cab ready to remove and swap. What is the easiest way to remove the front clip as a single piece? where are the bolts located and if any of you have pics that would be great.

Gene · 04-11-2011, 10:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by frankenstein69

Hey Guys,
I will be installing a new engine and transmission next weekend along with getting the cab ready to remove and swap. What is the easiest way to remove the front clip as a single piece? where are the bolts located and if any of you have pics that would be great.

2 bolts on top (back) of each fender, 1 bolt at the very bottom (back at front of rocker panel) of each fender, then your 2 core support bolts and it should all come out as one, assuming you have your grill and bumper removed.

Shyguy · 04-11-2011, 10:36 AM

After removing the bolts we put the front end on jackstands and remove the tires, then three of us lift the front clip off.

**LockDoc** · 04-11-2011, 10:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gene

2 bolts on top of each fender, 1 bolt at the very bottom of each fender, then your 2 core support bolts and it should all come out as one, assuming you have your grill and bumper removed.

There is also a bolt with a large washer on it inside each inner panel that threads into the sub frame. I believe they take a 5/8" socket. You also have to unbolt the wire loom from the firewall and remove the stiffener from the drivers side inner panel (around the steering shaft). plus the normal stuff like alternator wires, radiator hoses, trans cooler lines (if automatic), and windshield washer hose. It works best with 3 people, one for each side and a helper for the front where the radiator is.

LockDoc

**leddzepp** · 04-11-2011, 12:18 PM

Click on my build thread for removal of the front clip as one unit.

Gene · 04-11-2011, 10:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LockDoc

There is also a bolt with a large washer on it inside each inner panel that threads into the sub frame. I believe they take a 5/8" socket. You also have to unbolt the wire loom from the firewall and remove the stiffener from the drivers side inner panel (around the steering shaft). plus the normal stuff like alternator wires, radiator hoses, trans cooler lines (if automatic), and windshield washer hose. It works best with 3 people, one for each side and a helper for the front where the radiator is.

LockDoc

Ah yes, I forgot I had my inner fenders removed when I pulled my clip.

gcburdic · 04-23-2011, 03:57 PM

for anyone that's done this....have any issues with gaps once you put it back on??...I'm thinking of going this route when I pull the engine for a refresh on the gaskets (dang it!! wish I did this before

) and install VA system

**leddzepp** · 04-23-2011, 04:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gcburdic

for anyone that's done this....have any issues with gaps once you put it back on??...I'm thinking of going this route when I pull the engine for a refresh on the gaskets (dang it!! wish I did this before

) and install VA system

Nope, this is exactly why I removed it as one unit. The only gaps you have to line up are the front fenders to the cab, and it is not too big of a deal. This way you do not have to line up the fenders, hood, grille, etc. This is the only way to go IMO.

*stich626* · 04-23-2011, 04:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gene

2 bolts on top (back) of each fender, 1 bolt at the very bottom (back at front of rocker panel) of each fender, then your 2 core support bolts and it should all come out as one, assuming you have your grill and bumper removed.

I can see needing the bumper removed but why the grill it come with the nose?

what I missing

**leddzepp** · 04-23-2011, 04:33 PM

Here is what mine looked like when I pulled it.

treveiger · 04-28-2011, 12:55 AM

saving

bigguy69 · 04-28-2011, 09:16 AM

Me too

Grimpala · 04-28-2011, 10:20 AM

Why not just pull the core support and grille along with the hood.

Seems like a lot of work to get the whole clip off. I've swapped several motors in my impala and dad's chevelle, and only removed the core support and hood to do it. Only removed the hood on my impala, but it is a 96.

budnikguy · 04-28-2011, 04:27 PM

Remove as one piece, but do not forget the ground strap....or that will hang the person up trying to lift up on the passenger side

Bumper removal is a must too.

BTW Dave, if you need a hand and are going to do it on a Monday LMK and i can come by and help ya...

frankenstein69 · 04-28-2011, 09:20 PM

Adam,
That would be cool, I can get lunch afterwards

bad_turbo · 04-29-2011, 03:47 AM

maybe a dumb question, but I suppose this works with a burb too?

budnikguy · 04-30-2011, 08:58 PM

Hey man, I am down to come help...can bring my buddy Richard too.. Cannot this Monday the 2nd, but definitely next Monday

LMK....

Adam

elf w/capital T · 05-01-2011, 07:13 AM

hell yeah, post pics of your swap!

99-LS1-SS · 05-01-2011, 08:04 AM

I would have loved to removed my front clip all at once but my radiator support was shot.

frankenstein69 · 05-03-2011, 02:38 PM

Adam,
How does this Monday sound for you?
David

04-11-2011, 10:23 AM	#1
frankenstein69 Registered User Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Menifee California Posts: 64	easiest way to remove the front clip Hey Guys, I will be installing a new engine and transmission next weekend along with getting the cab ready to remove and swap. What is the easiest way to remove the front clip as a single piece? where are the bolts located and if any of you have pics that would be great.

04-11-2011, 10:36 AM	#3
Shyguy Junior Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Southeast Missouri Posts: 2,436	Re: easiest way to remove the front clip After removing the bolts we put the front end on jackstands and remove the tires, then three of us lift the front clip off. __________________ '67 Chevy C-20 short stepper - build complete, 454/SM-465. '75 C-30 Single Cab DRW-350 small block/NP-435. '77 GMC-6500 Dump Truck, 427 Tall Deck. '92 GMC K-3500 Duallie, 454/4L80E.

04-11-2011, 12:18 PM	#5
leddzepp Moderator Join Date: May 2007 Location: Southern Cal Posts: 19,995	Re: easiest way to remove the front clip Click on my build thread for removal of the front clip as one unit. __________________ 1972 C/10 Cheyenne Super SWB. Restored, loaded, slammed. 1968 C/10 50th Anniversary LWB. Unrestored, stock, daily driver/work truck. RIP ElJay RIP 67ChevyRedneck RIP Grumpy Old Man

04-23-2011, 03:57 PM	#7
gcburdic Restoration Virgin! Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Huntersville, NC Posts: 8,298	Re: easiest way to remove the front clip for anyone that's done this....have any issues with gaps once you put it back on??...I'm thinking of going this route when I pull the engine for a refresh on the gaskets (dang it!! wish I did this before) and install VA system __________________ Geoff with a G 1968 Chevy C10 SWB The Mistress 1972 Custom Deluxe C20 Suburban A Suburban Named Isabella 1966 Ford Mustang Mama's High School Graduation Present

04-23-2011, 04:33 PM	#10
leddzepp Moderator Join Date: May 2007 Location: Southern Cal Posts: 19,995	Re: easiest way to remove the front clip Here is what mine looked like when I pulled it. Attached Images __________________ 1972 C/10 Cheyenne Super SWB. Restored, loaded, slammed. 1968 C/10 50th Anniversary LWB. Unrestored, stock, daily driver/work truck. RIP ElJay RIP 67ChevyRedneck RIP Grumpy Old Man

04-28-2011, 12:55 AM	#11
treveiger Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: South Dakota Posts: 4,093	Re: easiest way to remove the front clip saving __________________ 1969 Chevy c20(Miss Hackjob)

04-28-2011, 09:16 AM	#12
bigguy69 dazed and confused Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: marion nc Posts: 1,649	Re: easiest way to remove the front clip Me too __________________ members met: redbaron69, billsbowtie,nc67

04-28-2011, 10:20 AM	#13
Grimpala Registered User Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Rockwall, TX Posts: 84	Re: easiest way to remove the front clip Why not just pull the core support and grille along with the hood. Seems like a lot of work to get the whole clip off. I've swapped several motors in my impala and dad's chevelle, and only removed the core support and hood to do it. Only removed the hood on my impala, but it is a 96.

04-28-2011, 04:27 PM	#14
budnikguy Registered User Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Riverside, CA Posts: 4,316	Re: easiest way to remove the front clip Remove as one piece, but do not forget the ground strap....or that will hang the person up trying to lift up on the passenger side Bumper removal is a must too. BTW Dave, if you need a hand and are going to do it on a Monday LMK and i can come by and help ya...

04-28-2011, 09:20 PM	#15
frankenstein69 Registered User Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Menifee California Posts: 64	Re: easiest way to remove the front clip Adam, That would be cool, I can get lunch afterwards Last edited by frankenstein69; 04-28-2011 at 09:21 PM.

04-29-2011, 03:47 AM	#16
bad_turbo turbo enthusiast Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: carmichael, ca. Posts: 1,826	Re: easiest way to remove the front clip maybe a dumb question, but I suppose this works with a burb too? __________________ "But daddy, I didn't hit them all with a stick"...what my 6 year old tells me when I pick him up from school early for fighting "

04-30-2011, 08:58 PM	#17
budnikguy Registered User Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Riverside, CA Posts: 4,316	Re: easiest way to remove the front clip Hey man, I am down to come help...can bring my buddy Richard too.. Cannot this Monday the 2nd, but definitely next Monday LMK.... Adam

05-01-2011, 07:13 AM	#18
elf w/capital T Registered User Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: North Carolina Posts: 993	Re: easiest way to remove the front clip hell yeah, post pics of your swap!

05-01-2011, 08:04 AM	#19
99-LS1-SS Registered User Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Oak Ridge NC Posts: 957	Re: easiest way to remove the front clip I would have loved to removed my front clip all at once but my radiator support was shot.

05-03-2011, 02:38 PM	#20
frankenstein69 Registered User Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Menifee California Posts: 64	Re: easiest way to remove the front clip Adam, How does this Monday sound for you? David



Register or Log In To remove these advertisements.

Register or Log In To remove these advertisements.