I pulled the front clip on my 60 last week and it took a while for me to locate those pesky cowl bolts. Now I'm wondering how hard it's going to be to get them back in. Since I have to remove the grill anyway, should I just break the front clip the rest of the way down and install the fenders individually? Also does anyone know of a source for those special bolt/clips?

 

Funny, Ive had the front clip off my 59 twice this year. As whole unit it isnt too bad. I just bolted the one onto my lemon parts truck the other day. My big fear is buggering up the threads on the pesky bolts since you have to kind of slide them in. I just hold out on the fender and it's worked all 3 times. It is extremely hard for me to get those nuts started in those blind, cramped holes. Once started I have been able to run them down with a finger tip until wrenching is required. I can't even begin to imagine how hard it would be if any of the studs were damaged. Mine have always been in good condition, but if they weren't it would be pretty easy to weld something like a carraige bolt in it's place. Maybe a toilet base ring stud with it's wide, flat 'head'. That would probably come out more 'flush'.......... Haven't ever seperated the clip. I have heard getting the grill undone has something like 16 bolts and ususlly very rusty..... I'd love to do a tilt front end some day.