Hi Gang

I was looking for a help guide in removing the front fenders off my 68 Bird. I looked thru the post and found a few tips but not a full help guide of a sort.

First time is always an adventure.

I need to replace the radiator support brace.

Any ideas?

Bob…

All you need to do is replace the radiator support brace? why do you need to remove the fenders?

Hi ducrider123

I want to clean up the engine compartment, and also install an A/C Delete panel.

The car had been in a wreck and repaired by someone, the support brace is damaged (an 8” tear in it by the regulator) and the whole front bumper to fender is misaligned. I think that there may be some more damage to the frame and I cannot see it which worries me. The cocktail shaker is missing on the driver’s side, with the fenders removed I can get a better picture on what needs to be repaired $$$$$$$$$$ ?

The car needs a complete paint job, previous owner used lacquer and with a clear coat, the paint now has cracked and the clear coat has flaked off. They painted the inside also, so down to the bare metal I go………I do not like the color that was used. They painted it a dark silver metallic over the original Verdoro Green. Both colors are ugly and showing. I was thinking about an Aleutian blue color to offset the black ragtop. Oh well that stage is so far down the road, I finished doing a complete disc brake install, rear end rebuild and a TH-400 transmission rebuild and currently working a Gen Light issue see other post

Bob…

Removing the fenders is fairly straight forward. Leave the inner wheel house attached to the fenders when you do it.

1. Remove the hood.
2. Remove all attaching hardware at the rear of the fender, top bottom and the bolt near the top door hinge.
3. Remove all hardware for fender to core gussets, fender to core struts.
4. I removed the front lower valance and fender extensions, although the extension could be left on.
5. Don't forget the inner wheel house support brace, remove attaching hardware from inside the wheel house opening towards the rear.
6. Start pulling pushing and screaming and It'll come free.

Hi Jeff

I circled the bolts that I removed from the top side. I am going to look to the lower side. Do you have any photos that show those bolts?

Bob....

Nope, but there are two at the rear of the fender underside that bolt into the rocker.

Thanks Jeff for your help. If I can I will take a photo of those bolts and post it.

Bob.....

Anytime...

Hi Jeff

I found a photo of a lower section are these the bolts you refer to?

Those hold the valance to the extensions up front and do have to be removed. The others are behind the wheel opening under the car.

Found this one pic of area...marked with red.

Wow Jeff

Thanks for the picture on thoses two bolts. Now I got the big picture on what to do.

I hope that other Bird owners can use this great data mine.

Bob....

And the single bolt, in the door jam above the upper door hindge. You have to open the door to see it. My 67 had it so I'm guessing your 68 does too. Hope yours comes out. On mine the nut from the inside spun with the bolt and I had to cut te bolt head off. I'm not sure yet how to repair that......
-Kyle

Hi Kile

Thank Much I will look for it when I start this weekend. I will take pictures and post them.

Bob....