Do you have a gap between upper support bracket and hood surround ??
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 127
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From: Houston TX
Do you have a gap between upper support bracket and hood surround ??
Hi there,
I am ready to bond my upper support bracket back to the hood surround, but there seems to be quite a gap right in the middle. My first instinct was to make the fiberglass comply with the shape of the support bracket through clamps, but then I checked my disassembly picture and it seems that gap was always there !
My way forward now is to see how my new L88 hood aligns with the hood surround and then determine if I need to reshape the metal support, the fiberglass surround or a bit of both.
Is this gap something you see on your cars as well or is this a unique "feauture" that the General built into mine?
Thanks,
Michael
Upper support clamped into place:
Upper support still bonded in during disassembly:
I am ready to bond my upper support bracket back to the hood surround, but there seems to be quite a gap right in the middle. My first instinct was to make the fiberglass comply with the shape of the support bracket through clamps, but then I checked my disassembly picture and it seems that gap was always there !
My way forward now is to see how my new L88 hood aligns with the hood surround and then determine if I need to reshape the metal support, the fiberglass surround or a bit of both.
Is this gap something you see on your cars as well or is this a unique "feauture" that the General built into mine?
Thanks,
Michael
Upper support clamped into place:
Upper support still bonded in during disassembly:
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 127
Likes: 0
From: Houston TX
Thanks for the quick reply. That's what I thought. I will install the hood and see how things line up in the front. My guess is that I'll have to shape the metal support a bit to have a flush fit. Doesn't seem too far off even now.
By the way, can you believe how heavy these front and rear bumper supports are? wow. I am trying to simplify this whole area a bit while still maintaining a bit of a crush zone. My bumpers are all glassed in.
67lbs for the front support structure and another 60lbs for the rear !
By the way, can you believe how heavy these front and rear bumper supports are? wow. I am trying to simplify this whole area a bit while still maintaining a bit of a crush zone. My bumpers are all glassed in.
67lbs for the front support structure and another 60lbs for the rear !
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 127
Likes: 0
From: Houston TX
Yes, it is an aftermarket front bumper. Basically a fiberglass version of an 80s style bumper that fits on a 77.
However, I don't need a front license plate and didn't like that whole middle area so I cut it out. Not sure what the final version will look like yet
Right now I have all the supports installed that bolt on directly to the frame rails (the vacuum reservoir and the supports going to the L and R side of the front bumper).
However, I really doubt that I will put back the big metal part that holds the license plate and front bumper cushion. I probably will fabricate something that goes around the perimeter of the bumper on the inside and then bolts onto the supports I have already bolted back on.
More cutting, welding and bending....
Michael.
Bumper when I bought it:
...and after I glassed it in and chopped it up (not completed yet):
However, I don't need a front license plate and didn't like that whole middle area so I cut it out. Not sure what the final version will look like yet
Right now I have all the supports installed that bolt on directly to the frame rails (the vacuum reservoir and the supports going to the L and R side of the front bumper).
However, I really doubt that I will put back the big metal part that holds the license plate and front bumper cushion. I probably will fabricate something that goes around the perimeter of the bumper on the inside and then bolts onto the supports I have already bolted back on.
More cutting, welding and bending....
Michael.
Bumper when I bought it:
...and after I glassed it in and chopped it up (not completed yet):
