The LS1 got a nose job today. My grand daughter is fine, only her pride was hurt. She now realizes how important it is to stay focused on driving. It drove the 20 miles home.

 

First off, this is not my area of comfort. I pealed the nose and took some pictures. What is left of the headlight is seven inches back.




This header panel had been replaced before I bought it many years ago. It is getting replaced again. I gave it a pull to provide clearance and took it for a drive. Used the heater as radiator fans, It is good enough for one more time. It drives straight with the wheel straight. Everything works as before.



All the pictures are before the pull and test drive.


I then pulled the parts car in that has been sitting in the driveway for years. It has a good 3.0 and a bad transmission. The tub is clean and a ready donor. Cleaned it up and started tearing it down. I will start on removing spot welds for the complete core support tomorrow. More pictures to come.

 

I'm happy to hear that she's okay, Andy. I don't see any airbag deployment. Does that car not have them? Anyway, it seems that the girls in your family are going to keep you busy in your early retirement. Now you don't have to wonder what you're going to do with your time. Keep us posted.

 

It did not hit hard enough to deploy the airbags. The Saturn bumper went under the Escape bumper. Fairly soft hit for both cars. Just plastic and tin on this car, scratched the back bumper on the Escape, probably bent the tailpipe.

 

Here it is after the pull and test drive.

 

Today’s progress, trip to Harbor Freight for supplies. Cutoff wheels, flap sanding wheels and a couple spot weld removal drill bits. I have seen this done for years but never attempted it myself. The spot weld drill bits are tiny hole saws with a spring loaded pilot. You center punch the spot weld and slowly start to drill. It cuts a 3/8” hole around the weld.




After you find all the spot welds and with a little prying this piece lifts off.




Here is the donor without the upper core support.




Had the grandchildren bring all the foam and bumper covers out of the shed. We have enough perfect parts to reassemble this car. Blue hood and bumper cover and a silver driver’s side fender. All the factory lights and trim, probably will paint the complete car when we are all said and done.
Done for the day.

 

The bottom of the cooling group sits on the subframe on this series of cars. The top of the cooling group attaches to the rear of the upper core support. The cooling group is still intact and will be reinstalled after the upper core support is welded back in, in the next couple days. Removal and cleanup tomorrow, no rush I am just realizing.

 

Man, that is so cool! I have never hear of a spot weld drill bit. What an ingenious invention! I may have to make a trip to Harbor Freight just to look at some of those. Have fun with the project, Andy and remember you can take all the time you want to now to get it as perfect as possible.

 

Big progress today, spent the morning removing the bent parts. Preparing to install the replacement upper core support, welder needed new tips. Trip to Harbor Freight. 😀



Fits well, after some minor adjustments.





Almost there.

 

Welding is complete and some paint to cover the bare metal.





The other side, pretty square.





Assembly time




Fits well, remove bumper beam again to install forgotten air intake silencer. 🤦





Good place to stop for the day! Lights are plugged in.
Tomorrow the fenders go on and the plastic parts plus the hood.