68 front end removal

[Evolution69]

Hi trying to strip the front end down to the rad support, Have few questions.

I removed the bonnet easily enough, Man that thing weighs a ton,

The black panel/cover that the bonnet catch is attached too, I removed the 5 bolts from it, 1 on each corner, and one in the middle where the catch is, What else do I have to remove to get this off?

I also removed the 4 bolts going down each side off the top of each front fender, Are there any more bolts on the fenders to remove?.

Lastly how does the front bumper/grill/valance come off?

Thank you for your time.

[JB400]

There are 4 bolts back behind the lights that go through the fenders.  They can be accessed in the wheelwell.  There is also a bracket on each end of the grill support on the bottom that also bolts to the fenders.  You'll have to remove the bumper.  It's just 4 bolts that hold it on at the framerails.  There's also bolts going from the bumper going into the fenders.  The valance is also bolted on at the fenders.  Don't forget to unplug your lights.  Also, bag and tag all of your bolts.  Makes reassembly easier.  Good luck

[Evolution69]

Great info thank you

[Evolution69]

I got the front valance off and the small bumperette things, So getting there, will tackle the rest tomorrow, I noticed that the frame rails come all the way to the bumper, Do they come off or not?, I was hopping to have it stripped down to the rad support as i have space issues right now.

Thank you

[JB400]

Yes, they come off.  2 big bolts on each framerail.  There is also bolts that go from bumper into the fender.

[Ghoste]

Unless you mean the front framerails themselves, those don't come off.

[Evolution69]

Thanks guys

Bit confused, I wanted to strip the front end down to like this picture, The picture doesn't show the frame rails!?.

I hope the fellow member of the picture does not mind me borrowing their picture.



Thanks

[JB400]

Look at the whte bolt on the framerail in the picture.  That bolt holds on the bumper brackets. There's 2 bolts per side.  The bumper bracket is not called the framerail.  We were just using your terminology.  Bumper bracket or bumper brace is the correct term.  The framerail itself is part of the front subframe.

[Evolution69]

Right, I see
thanks buddy for all your help much obliged

[JB400]

That's what we're all here for.  One thing to remember.  Have fun

[Evolution69]

Thanks buddy
So If i remove the 2 big bolts bolting the bumper brackets, They and the front bumper should come off?, I removed the front lower valance and the bolts attaching the bumper to either side of the fender.

I been working on european cars for years, Working on this beast is a entire diff kettle of fish, the bolts are on so tight on the bumper essembley, hardly any rust on them either, I should invest in some new tools, what do you guys use, air tools?, The trusty old run of the mill snap on socket set I got last year just isn't up for the job for these beasts.

Thank you

[JB400]

You are correct, if you remove the 2 big bolts per side, the bumper should come off.  I don't know what ratchet you have, but you'll need at least a 1/2" drive or 3/4" drive ratchet.  An air ratchet or impact works as well.  Good luck

[Evolution69]

Thank you again

[tan top]

   

[tan top]

 

[Ghoste]

No worrying about the framerails.  When you first posed the question I was worried you might have been thinking you could strip the front stubframe off like a Chevy but I see now that you have it figured where you are going with all of this.  

[Evolution69]

oh wow, you guys are great.

I managed to get the front bumper off today, Tomorrow its the grill .

Thank you guys, Each and everyone of you, thank you for taking the time to help me out, I wouldn't of been able to done it with out you guys.

[Evolution69]

Should I remove the grill first, Or fenders then grill?

Thanks

[JB400]

Definitely the grill first.  Then you have splash shields in the fenders.  I do hope your bagging and tagging all your bolts.  Somebody didn't do that on mine and put every nut, bolt, and screw in cappachino boxes.  I ended up buying a bolt kit with everything marked.  Fender bolt kit= $130.

[Evolution69]

Thanks buddy


I been working on the girll, The top bit seems nice and lose ready to come out, But not quite at the bottom, I removed the 4 bolt bracket on each bottom corner, That is right isn't it?, Also removed one of the metal covers under the head light to see if it will loosen up but still not moving, do these have to be undone too? I'm guessing there are some more bolts to undo?!..

I have started to bag and tag them now, First I thought I would remember, but now I can see why people say bag n tag

Thank you

[JB400]

Did you get the bolts that go from the grill support into the fenders?  They're accessed throw the wheel well

[Evolution69]

Oh yeah, those must be it, ill give it a go, Thank you

[kab69440]

There are two more in a center brace the attach to the bottom of the core support.

[Evolution69]

Yes got those, im sure its the one in the fenders just left now, Will try in the morning, Thanks guys

[Evolution69]

I got the grill off,  Only problem I had was because I undone the bolts on one of the metal parts, while the grill was in place and forgot about that on removal, the bit that fits under the headlight, When the grill came out, It didn't want to line up to the holes, I didnt fiddle with it much as I was tired, But I really hope I didn't damage anything!?




Just the fenders left now, Ive undone all the bolts going along the top,  Are there any more hidden bolts to undo?, If so please tell me where they are, And then will the fenders just  come off?..

Nearly there, Thank you

[JB400]

Don't know about the grill until you just try it.  As far as bolts in the fender, like I said, there is the splash shields in the wheel wells.  Also, there is a row of bolts that run down by the radiator core support.  There is also a couple bolts at the bottom of the fender at the rocker panels.  There is also at least 1 bolt that goes through the hood hinges that goes into the fender as well.

[tan top]

 did you not take out the complete grill as an assembly with frame  , as per instructions ?   is the grill in grill frame still or  ??
  follow picture below to correct problem ,  in the picture you posted !

pictures 2 -3 -4 are fender bolt location  ,  

[tan top]

 

[Troy]

That number 11 bolt is usually one that gets missed (inside rear of fender facing down). You have to access it from the gap between the door and body.

Troy

[Evolution69]

Thanks guys
Mr tan top thank you very much for taking the time to post all the pictures, This will help me out over the weekend, a god send thank you very much

[DC_1]

Great job with the illustration!

[Evolution69]

Hi Guys,
Where is no#11 accessed from? And also are 1,2,3 the ones in the engine bay near going down at an angle just in front of the battery tray?
Thanks

[JB400]

Check reply 28 from Troy to answer to #11.  Yes, 1,2,and 3 are the ones by battery tray.

[Evolution69]

Great thanks.

[tan top]

Check reply 28 from Troy to answer to #11.  Yes, 1,2,and 3 are the ones by battery tray.

if you don't want to remove the door at this stage  ,
 you can get to the  nut from inside the fender well , use 1/2"  ,  1/4 drive  socket  &  suitable extension bar  ,  might need a U/J bit on it too ,
its behind the inner rear splash shield ( green arrow )) ,  you should of removed that by now anyway !!  quite straight forward  , bolts & hex head screws are in plain view  , although might be coved un factory undercoat ,

[Evolution69]

Thanks guys,
Ive got all the bolts off apart from no 11 on both sides, I tried to remove the doors but, I don't have enough room, It would mean pushing the car out and i dont have the muscle for that today,

I looked in the wheel wells, When you speak of the splash gaurd, is there a cover in the wheel wells that come off and give access to the bolts?,

Sorry for all the silly questions

[JB400]

The splash guard is what the green arrow points to in the pic from tan top. 

[Evolution69]

ok thanks

It's dark now so Ill try again tomrrow, I looked in the fenders all I could see/feel where a couple of pointy things?, should there be some bolts in there somewhere to undo then?
thanks

[JB400]

Yes, they're bolted on. Your almost there

[Evolution69]

Yes one last push,, Thank you

[Evolution69]

I finally got the fenders off, Pushed the  car in and shut the door on the garage, im so glad that shes out from the elements,

The passenger side didn't have bolt 11, I wish I knew this before undoing the bolts for the splash guard to try get to it, It was only until i was getting the splash gaurd off that I realised the fender was detached, Oh welll

One last question, How do i undo the antenna lead?

Thanks for your help guys could not of done it with out you, and thank you for being so patient and answering all my questions, I'm very grateful to each and everyone of you that helped me out.

[Evolution69]

I also found a key in the car

[JB400]

Glad to hear your car is in the dry. As far as antenna, I'm not 100% positive as mine was off, but I say just undo it from the radio.   Pull the seats, you'll find more goodies

[tan top]

 asuming you have the OEM antenna  , you really need a special scocket ,  long nose pliers wont work ,as its prolly  really tight ,& will end up damaging it  or your self   ,
can use a brass punch & hammer to tap it ( see green line in picture below  , thats how you need to position the punch , well really you need to have punch as flat as possible whilst engauging the slot in the nut , infact thats how i done mine , it was soo tight  , but if you never  done  anything like this before  , buy or make a scocket to fit    only need a light tap with hammer

https://yearone.com/Product/DisplayProduct/281310

[Evolution69]

Thanks guys, will give it a go this weekend, Cheers