Install 1st question 69 firebird???
 

getting ready to start assembling the front end headlights/entire nose etc.... and was wondering if i need to install the hood 1st? any recommendations?

You don't have to but if you want to make sure there isn't too much gap between the batwing and the front of the hood it's better to have it on first.

The hood helps with the front gap alignment@ the nose.
Just allow extra time & be ready to walk away a few times for a sanity break.:p

I figure w/ my ADHD I will start the nose, see a squirrel, start messing with the console, see another squirrel the start on wiring the trunk... hahahahaha. I do appreciate the advice and hopefully get it done within 1 day.

It's a total nightmare

You sound exactly like me! This is the perfect hobby for our "gift".

Hmm must run with this sort of Hobby....

Reassembled mine last year after the repaint;

Rust free and never accidented car
front clip never previously removed and fit perfectly before painting
every bolt, nut and clip bagged and labelled
piles of before and during dis assembly photos


And it was still hell!!! We screwed with it for days and days trying to get it right. What in gods name were they thinking when they designed this front end?

spent 1 1/2 days on the front end this weekend. no farther ahead than what I started with. getting a second set of eyes to help later in the week.

Yes , misery loves company!:p
I'm convinced it's what caused the GM strike in '69.
It's amazing that the line workers got so many put together half right!:rolleyes:
GOOD LUCK!

Patience...when you get pissed, walk away. I think I walked well over 100 miles when I did mine over. Fortunatly I did it over 6 winter months in a heated garage!!

Well this is encouraging :eek: lol

<It's amazing that the line workers got so many put together half right!>

They had them right on every car that left the factory. I knew it couldn't be complicated or require a high skill level because it came off an assembly line. It's just like many other assemblies where you are required to use a specific order when locating, installing, and tightening fasteners. (The water neck bolt in an intake is a good example.) Once you know how they assembed it at the factory, it simply falls onto the car.

I took a look at the limited body information in the service manual. I think that the goat works the same way, meaning this would also be contribting factor for their ill fits. As soon as I get it together and hit the crusie lot, I'm going goat hunting, and see if I can get an eyeball on various parts.