one

Thanks for the diagram I may hit you up on pics, I'll let you know.


previously:

one

Kenny, can you get me these two??

http://www.lextech.org/images/stuff/...cked%20012.jpg

http://www.lextech.org/images/stuff/...cked%20017.jpg

Thanks a ton man!

Scootin159

btw, I've had similar damage done to my car....twice.

The estimate is a little high, although actually pretty close to a real-world final price. If you can source junkyard parts you'll be able to bring it down quite a bit, especially if you're willing to straighten the frame portion yourself.

one

I just finally got my first look at it with the skin off, I believe i can actually do every bit of this myself.


http://www.lextech.org/images/stuff/...20(Medium).jpg

http://www.lextech.org/images/stuff/...20(Medium).jpg

http://www.lextech.org/images/stuff/...20(Medium).jpg

http://www.lextech.org/images/stuff/...20(Medium).jpg

http://www.lextech.org/images/stuff/...20(Medium).jpg

Jay W

It looks easy to straighten but it isnt. I spent many hours getting my headlight to fit back into the "down" position without rubbing that metal tray area. I would knock a high spot down and the rest would warp just enough to catch the headlight somewhere else on the way down. If you dont have alot of time and patience then you may want to have someone else do it for you.[IMG]here is the car before I did the work[/IMG][IMG]another[/IMG]

one

Ouch! looks like you got hit pretty squarely. Your inner header panel is bent and i see camber issues also. Mine was't quite so bad overall, as there were no mechanical issues, and the damage didn't reach the inner core. (aside of the left bumper mount area)

Still, focusing on what you are talking about I completely understand what you are saying. I believe that problem can be solved with a little help from my trusty Craftsman heat gun. If I heat the metal, I should be able to manipulate it into a likeness of Mt. Rushmore should I choose to. That will eliminate my potential problem of running out of that last 1/8th inch of metal when reforming, and actually will make the process easier to use that method anyway.

I have already seen the strength of these bumpers, as my bumper is completely undamaged and it took the brunt of this hit, so I won't be concerned with weakening the sheetmetal, as it is pretty malleable anyway. The benefits of the strength in that area near the headlights being compromised by the reforming and the heat shouldn't be an issue in any way. The metal in that one area is very thin and weak to begin with in comparison to the rest of the vehicle.

I'm not exactly a body man, and finishing the body would definately not be a good idea for myself, however my father has been a painter for 30+ years and I have built several cars from frames with prefabbed panels, so together we may be able to pull this off if he doesn't go into a fit about not having a paint booth. He's very **** about the process, as he is a professional painter. (houses)

35thSLP

I have a parts car that I can cut the corner off of if you want to just weld in a straight one. Let me know. PM if you need it and we will work something out. I have a straight front bumper also and the whole headlight mechanism less on headlight cover. Any way PM me if you need anything.

kennycoulter

mine still has the headlights in the car, and has been repaired around the headlight on the drivers side(very very minor dent). i will take pics for you when i get my camera back from my girlfriend...should be on thursday. my headlight covers, nose panel, bumper, fenders and fascia are all off, i can raise the hood. will that be what you need?

testarossa_td

I had the exact damage and totaled out at almost exactly that.
87 NA in Cherry condition.....216000 miles on the engine.
I did not have the guts at the time to fix her up(I did buy it back and use the parts on several other cars and the money moved me into a turbo.....

Find a source for the manuals in pdf form.

Click this image for a printable jpg version.

Jay W

Yeah my car was really bent up. The frame rail was pushed in like an accordian on that side. Nothing a little heat and a port-o-power couldnt fix. Make sure to measure your front wheel house to make sure it didnt get bent out of shape. Mine was rather egg shaped and I spent some time with heat and a 2X4 prying against the wheel to get things to line up. I did an alignment on the car when I was done and the camber was still pretty far off but not beyond the adjustment limits. It sounds like you have plenty of experience straightening metal so I think you are up to the job. You mention that your dad is **** about details, will he be ok with not-so-perfect panel alignment when you are done? Mine isnt perfect after all the work but it makes a good daily driver.

kennycoulter

my girlfriend has not returned my camera yet. she lives a good couple miles away. if you still need pics, let me know. i will get the camera this weekend when i see her.