front bumper install question??
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 1,369
Likes: 12
From: wichita kansas
front bumper install question??
putting front chrome bumper on my 68' coupe....(this car was in pieces when i bought it) and didn't have a bumper, i found a nice original and had it re-chromed. when i bolt it up to center bracket, the ends don't fit the corners of the car. (probably at least a one inch gap on each end where it bolts on.....my question is this, i know you can shim a bit, but if i just start tightening the bolts up, will the bumper conform to fit, or will it bend and look BENT?? i don't want a bunch of shims because that will just throw off bumper fit and lines....thanks, Rick
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 31,267
Likes: 4,362
From: Westminster Maryland
Hi Rick,
More than likely you wont be able to 'shape' the bumper using the bolts without bending/kinking the bumper and damaging the fiberglass.
Each bumper is a little different, and each car is a little different. A car that's had body work done to the front clip just makes the fit even more difficult. Finding a bumper that fits well is difficult and can only really be done before the car is painted so that if some body work needs to be done it can be.
I think you need to look at more bumpers to see if you can find one with a better fit.
I'm Sorry!
Regards,
Alan
Perhaps some pictures would get you some suggestions.
More than likely you wont be able to 'shape' the bumper using the bolts without bending/kinking the bumper and damaging the fiberglass.
Each bumper is a little different, and each car is a little different. A car that's had body work done to the front clip just makes the fit even more difficult. Finding a bumper that fits well is difficult and can only really be done before the car is painted so that if some body work needs to be done it can be.
I think you need to look at more bumpers to see if you can find one with a better fit.
I'm Sorry!
Regards,
Alan
Perhaps some pictures would get you some suggestions.
Last edited by Alan 71; May 6, 2013 at 06:30 PM.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 1,369
Likes: 12
From: wichita kansas
wrong answer Alan!!! LOL...that's not what i was wanting to hear. the problem is that this is a very nice, straight, unmolested original, (new chrome to boot) so i seriously doubt any other GM bumper would fit any better. (and i don't want to invest in another bumper) i will try to get pics after bolting it up in the center. GRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR...i keep waiting for just ONE portion of this project to be wham bam easy, but the problem is i'm almost done, and it hasn't happened YET! LOL, Rick
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 31,267
Likes: 4,362
From: Westminster Maryland
Hi Raz,
Is the bumper simply too long?
Does the bumper have the same 'reveal' with the front of the hood surround as you take measurements at various places from the center towards the ends on each side?
If the bumper is 'sprung' even a little at the center, it will pull the corners away from the fiberglass at it's ends where it wraps the fenders.
Pictures.
Regards,
Alan
Is the bumper simply too long?
Does the bumper have the same 'reveal' with the front of the hood surround as you take measurements at various places from the center towards the ends on each side?
If the bumper is 'sprung' even a little at the center, it will pull the corners away from the fiberglass at it's ends where it wraps the fenders.
Pictures.
Regards,
Alan
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 19,294
Likes: 2,754
From: Charlotte NC
If the problem..from what I read in your post is that the bumper is away from the body where it attaches....and it takes EFFORT to push it to the body and get a bolt in the bumper...and if you push it to the body and the bumper is not looking "right". Then it is in the bumper...UNLESS there has been damage to the body in the past.
IF it is when you push the bumper to attach it at the ends...and the bumper ends are angled outwards and a gap is severe....then it also can be previous body damage...and if not...then it is where the outer brackets that are welded to the inside of the bumper are incorrect.
I have gone through 3-4 new bumpers to get one to fit "spot-on". MAJOR differences when installed and IF those mounting brackets welded to the inside of the bumper are not correct....you can run into a major issue. Chances are the brackets are off...and the bumper can appear to be too long...but it has to do with the set-back and distance from the center bracket that can change everything.
DUB
IF it is when you push the bumper to attach it at the ends...and the bumper ends are angled outwards and a gap is severe....then it also can be previous body damage...and if not...then it is where the outer brackets that are welded to the inside of the bumper are incorrect.
I have gone through 3-4 new bumpers to get one to fit "spot-on". MAJOR differences when installed and IF those mounting brackets welded to the inside of the bumper are not correct....you can run into a major issue. Chances are the brackets are off...and the bumper can appear to be too long...but it has to do with the set-back and distance from the center bracket that can change everything.
DUB
Last edited by DUB; May 6, 2013 at 07:21 PM. Reason: more info
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 6,317
Likes: 291
From: Ocala FL
I just put the bumper back on my '68 after having it chromed. It didn't want to line up well either, and it is the original bumper to the car. (In fact, a lot of things didn't want to align when going back on.) There was a large gap at the ends with the center bolted tight, but if you put the center up loose, and move things around some, you should find the ends getting closer.
Since there is a steel brace that the ends bolt to, pulling the bumper back in won't crack the fiberglass. And you can pull in a bit and shim a little if needed.
Since this one isn't original to your car, it could be bent. If the gap is really an inch on each end, I'd try pulling in about half an inch and shimming the rest. The bumper could simply be bent.
Since there is a steel brace that the ends bolt to, pulling the bumper back in won't crack the fiberglass. And you can pull in a bit and shim a little if needed.
Since this one isn't original to your car, it could be bent. If the gap is really an inch on each end, I'd try pulling in about half an inch and shimming the rest. The bumper could simply be bent.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 31,267
Likes: 4,362
From: Westminster Maryland
Hi,
I believe it's the pressure the outer bumper bolts puts on these 2 brackets that can cause the fender/surround joint to crack if the bumper bracket bolt is asked to do too much.
Perhaps 68 cars don't have these brackets.
Regards,
Alan
I believe it's the pressure the outer bumper bolts puts on these 2 brackets that can cause the fender/surround joint to crack if the bumper bracket bolt is asked to do too much.
Perhaps 68 cars don't have these brackets.
Regards,
Alan
Safety Car
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 4,705
Likes: 983
From: Orlando FL
I posted a very similar question quite a while back. The bumper just WOULD NOT fit right on the ends. The answer I got was that all the bolts had to be tightened up, and it would draw it in on the ends. I tried it, and it worked! I ended up putting a couple washers (as spacers) between the 2 center brackets & bumper, to maintain a good looking gap all the way from side to side.
So get all the bolts started first, then tighten them down, and the corners may pull in for you like mine did.
So get all the bolts started first, then tighten them down, and the corners may pull in for you like mine did.
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Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 1,369
Likes: 12
From: wichita kansas
well, i worked on the front bumper quite awhile last night....basically i went back and loosened all of the bolts on the entire bracket assembly and started doing some adjusting. after doing that i hung the front bumper with the center bolts and found the fit to be pretty close, one side fit almost perfect as it rounds the outside corner, and the other side can be pushed up into place without a lot of pressure....i need to remove it tonight and drill a hole for one of the outside bumper bolts ( because of body work, it no longer exists, and i didnt' want to drill it before a test fit) and then hopefully i will be able to go back and permanently mount the bumper....thanks to all for pics and input, i really appreciate it. i will post a pic of results assuming it goes like i plan! LOL....Rick