C2 rad support shims

[67HEAVEN]

I need to add an additional shim at the driver's side top rad support bolt. That's the bolt in the horn relay area ('67 BB). The leading side edge of the hood is too close to the inner fenders during opening and closing.

After loosening the top and bottom bolts (inside driver's wheelwell), what is the appropriate way to spread the support from the inner fender enough to add an additional shim?

Forcing the inner fenders apart doesn't seem too wise.

(I removed the hood today, in preparation for dropping in the 502, so now seemed the appropriate time to deal with this.)

 

[WayneC]

This may be a dumb question, and I'm no expert on Corvette bodywork, but isn't adding shims between the core support and the inner fender doing exactly what you say you don't want to do ("forcing the inner fenders apart")? Since the core support is a solid metal piece, it is not going to "give" to allow the extra shims... if anything gives, the fenders will.

But, it seems like that puts unwanted stress on the fiberglass and paint, so are you certain the extra shims are the answer for gaining the clearance you seek?

Assuming it IS what you want to do, I'd find some shim material to place near each existing shim, filling the space enough that I could use a light hammer to tap a chisel-ended putty knife into the remaining space (between the support and the fender) at each position (one at a time) to open the space a bit until I could just slide another shim in place.

 

[67HEAVEN]

This may be a dumb question, and I'm no expert on Corvette bodywork, but isn't adding shims between the core support and the inner fender doing exactly what you say you don't want to do ("forcing the inner fenders apart")? Since the core support is a solid metal piece, it is not going to "give" to allow the extra shims... if anything gives, the fenders will.

Wayne, you may be correct in your observation. You've got me thinking (and that's not all bad ).

 

[67HEAVEN]

Maybe I should have asked the question this way.
========================================

If you need to gain some additional space between the front fenders of a C2, near the front of the hood, what is the correct method for doing so?

 

[Dave65]

Maybe I should have asked the question this way.
========================================

If you need to gain some additional space between the front fenders of a C2, near the front of the hood, what is the correct method for doing so?

Since the painting is done, I think you are s*&*ed. Can you be more specific as to where you need the space?

On mine I carefully ground the edge of the hood to match the hood opening before painting.

Dave

 

[67HEAVEN]

Since the painting is done, I think you are s*&*ed. Can you be more specific as to where you need the space?

On mine I carefully ground the edge of the hood to match the hood opening before painting.

Dave

Dave, it all seemed good on the wooden dolly, and fitted when the hood was re-installed for the trip home, after the final drop back on the frame.

However, after adding more and more pieces back on, the hood now rubs about 2.5' or 3" from the front, down inside the lip between the outer and inner fender.

 

[Ken Anderson]

Looks like your rub is on the inner skirt on one side. Loosen the two bolts holding the radiator support to the frame and move the nose to the right or left (whichever way you need to go. to center up the hood. If there is still rub, shim the skirt using standard body shims. That's the way GM did it.

 

[Dave65]

I am not a body expert but with the surround right above the area I don't think you will be able to spread it without a risk of cracking something. If you can touch up the paint in that area, can you use a 1" disk to remove enough of the surface to stop the interference?

From a structural standpoint the weight of the front end is carried by the steel reinforcement the hood mounts to.

Also how far are you opening the hood? Did you have the hood support on when the problem happend? The hood support will limit how far you can open the hood.

Dave

 

[67HEAVEN]

You both have good suggestions. I'll give it another go tomorrow evening and let you know.


Thanks.

 

[WayneC]

Well, DUH, now I notice that you said you only wanted to gain clearance on the driver's side (somehow I was thinking you needed to get more clearance on both sides... I need to do a better job of reading the questions). So it appears Ken has the correct solution: if the entire radiator support can be shifted left a bit, that might be best, otherwise it may be a matter of removing one shim from each right side support-to-fender bolt (assuming there are shims there) and moving them to the left side bolts.

 

[Dave65]

Well, DUH, now I notice that you said you only wanted to gain clearance on the driver's side (somehow I was thinking you needed to get more clearance on both sides... I need to do a better job of reading the questions). So it appears Ken has the correct solution: if the entire radiator support can be shifted left a bit, that might be best, otherwise it may be a matter of removing one shim from each right side support-to-fender bolt (assuming there are shims there) and moving them to the left side bolts.

I agree, that if the hood gaps remain good it could work.

Dave

 

[67HEAVEN]

My apologies. I've been so tired from running a business and trying to finish the project, that I didn't notice that I placed the blue dot incorrectly.

I've fixed the photo.

The painter has a suggestion for why the problem exists. Compared to the original silver lacquer, the paint job on this car is quite a bit thicker. The gaps were already fairly tight. Allowing for a lot thicker sealer/ground coat/and several base and clear coats and considering that this was applied to the two mating surfaces (hood and surround lip) that is the cause.

I'm going to dremel a few thou of material away from the lower lip and touch up the paint. Problem solved.

Thanks everyone for making me think it over "before" I tried to squeeze a shim in.