[Tigers] Front Clip Replacement

[Thomas Witt]

Paul,
  I have replaced my front clip and the lower - rear of the front fenders. 
In my case I did them as separate sections.  When I purchased my Tiger it 
came with a detached spare front clip (slightly past the centerline of the 
front fender) and at a CAT swapmeet I purchased the lower fender panels. The 
front clip was replaced at the 2 O'clock (drivers side) and the 10 O'clock 
(passenger side) positions as they relate to the front wheel wells.  The 
limitation of replacement was determined by the amount of metal I received.

For the front clip I did in fact pretty much drill out the spot welds.  I 
elected to retain the original inner fenders which required some cutting. 
To join the two I did go back about 6 inches with the new clip's inner 
fender. It just seemed like a logical point and helped to some what hide the 
weld.  At the fender I overlapped the metal about an inch.  On the lower 
overlap I cut fingers about an inch wide to facilitate bending them down, 
under the new metal.  With the lower fender pieces they already had the 
overlap designed in. In both cases I used a MIG welder (all I had) but I 
have been told that gas welding is preferable.

If you have a donor car you will have to determine where to make the cuts. 
However, it seems that getting into the windshield/heater duct/firewall area 
can become complicated.  Maybe there are others with more experience.

Tom