Here's a tough one... Here aree a few questions about the center bumper support (the 'U' bracket). For whatever reason, mine has no holes on the sides for the center grill. What was there are the two plates that you'd normally bolt in place, but they were tack welded. I can't see any sign that the holes were filled in and ground down (plus, that would be a lot of trouble for something you can't even see). My thought was that the tack welded pieces were done that way to bring the center grill more forward, making it more easily visible. Not a bad idea, I guess, but I'm getting this frame-off back as original as possible. So here's what I need..... The measurements indicating the position of the original holes. I only need one hole to go by since I have new brackets and can figure out the rest.

Next item is the same U bracket position when it's installed. There's a steel lip riveted to the nose, and the area in the center has a portion of this lip turned down. Does this lip rest on top of the U bracket? I placed the front bumper in position and it looks as if that's correct, but would like someone to confirm the position.

For all those that are aligning the front crossmember (radiator core and bumper support), there sure is a lot of play, but I found it necessary. I ended up using a floor jack under the crossmember to rotate it upwards until everything seemed to fit properly. In my case, it was too low for the U bracket fitment, as well as the lower tranny cooling fitting. I still haven't tightened up the body mounts since I have a feeling it's going to need tweaking as well.

Thanks for any help!

 

Hi ncv,
Here are two pictures... one to show where the grill is normally positioned and one to show the position of the brackets.
Regards,
Alan

 

Thanks, that's a big help. If it's easy enough to get to, can you (or anyone) take the measurement shown in the attached pic? I just need the one and can figure out the rest.

The 72 AIM has 2 illustrations of the bracket. One with and one without the holes for the grill. Odd. Did any models not have the center grill? I also noticed your radiator core support bar extends to the nose, and the AIM shows it bolted to the core support. Mine is threaded on one end (to go through the core with a nut attached on the back side) and much shorter. I took tons of pics before taking this car entire apart, but wouldn't you know I missed one for the attachment point. It looks like it wants to bolt up to the riveted headlamp support bracket.

Details, details, huh? Tnx again.

 

Hi ncv,
That dimension is 6 3/8" on my 71. As far as I know all 70-72 cars left St.Louis with that center grill. I think the only variation in that area was whether the front license plate bracket was installed or not
The center nose support rod on my 71 is flattened and angled SLIGHTLY to receive the bolt to the center bumper support at the front. At the core support end the rod is flattened and bent 90 degrees to receive a bolt that comes through from the rear side of the core support. That rod could very well have changed for 72.
Regards,
Alan

 

Excellent! One other question and I think I can move on from the center support. Is this why it's taking me so long to get this car done? LOL. Did you have to use shims on yours (under the support U bracket? Ok, I believe that will do me. Thanks for the help!

 

Hi ncv,
No, I didn't use any shims. I don't think any were used originally.
But that doesn't mean another car might need some at this point in it's life; especially if some parts have been changed at some time.
Regards,
Alan

 

My orig 72 has shims on U bracket never been apart still has tape to hold them, have seen this before on other cars. Has anyone else seen this?
Mark