'86 to '79 front clip swap

[HarrisonTX]

From 1967-present, my most disliked chevy front end is the 80's.
I found a nice (needs paint) dent free '78 front clip locally for $200. I think thats a deal. Everything should bolt right up, correct?
I know i will have to do some wiring for the head lights, and blinkers, but no big deal. I also think the windshield wipers will require a touch, too.

Should I expect anything else?

The only major pain in my ass is the paint. The PO painted it a nice metallic blue, which I like. I know a good paint man can match paint, but since its metallic, I can foresee some difficulty in this.

*BTW, my main motivation for this is the guy on here with the red 70's k5 with slot wheels. His avatar pic is him on a sand dune, and I love it. I may even take my grill out, I like that look alot.

sorry if this pic is HUGE. This is what I'm working with.

 

[GMCLegacy]

you may have to re-attach everything that is bolted to the inside of your fenders currently, most likely the holes are different on the older fenders. or get all the stuff from the clip your getting. the fan shroud may be different, or need to be re-mounted to the core support.

the hood hinge design on the 78 that you are going to look at is not the greatest. it was common for the hoods to bend near the hinges, and also for the rear of the hood not to close all the way.

there are 2 or 3 "studs" that the 73-80 trucks/blazers had that were attached to the cab. This was GMs attempt to get the rear of the hood to close. You may have to figure out how to get these onto your cab.

 

[Cornfield creations]

I thought those studs, 2 on the truck, 3 on the blazers, were incase of a wreck to hook the holes they go into the hood and crimp the hood in half so it didn't shoot into the windshield.

On my blazer they have no effect but to annoy the person trying to line the hood up. That's why I never got the center one re-installed, which bolts onto the firewall above the distributor.

They usually bend in the center of the hood, but if you keep them oiled it's no big deal. It's all about oil and adjustments.

 

[USSkoval]

Agreed, the hinges are only a problem if they are neglected. It is still possible to find ones that don't have slop worn into them too. Those safety/alignment bolts don't need to be there for the hood to properly operate. And I think the center bolt is a year thing, rather than a K5 thing.