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I'm converting the (previous owner) '76 grill opening back to the '68 style:
Measurement "A/A" is from the outside edge of the flat area on driver's side over to the center hole in the grill bracket.
Measurement "B/B" is from the outside edge of the flat area on driver's side to the outside edge of the flat area on the passenger's side (a straight line across).
Measurement "C/C" is from the outside edge of the flat area on driver's side to the corner of the flat area shown.
The measurement you want are very difficult to make on an assembled car with any accuracy. Are any of the original brackets or mounting holes in place? The AIM gives dimensions to location the holes for the lower outside bracket off it's mounting pad. Do you have that pad?
The grill fit is pretty tight at the end with the chrome surround pieces. You want to get the end gaps even. The top outside bracket is mounted to a hole in the headlight door frame and is not easily moved. I think you might be best off by test fitting everything is place and drilling the bracket mounting holes based on that.
DoorGunner, you do realize that 68's have different grill brackets than a 69, like on Rogers car? I think that the best thing to do is mount the brackets to your grills and also have the chrome " L " installed, and then figure where the holes should be. Oh, also have the rubber stone shield mounted to help locate the brackets.
Do you have 68 brackets or 69? The 69 are sturdier. Also the two new 68 only lower inner ones that I purchased, did NOT fit the angle of the grill at all!. Lou.
The measurement you want are very difficult to make on an assembled car with any accuracy. Are any of the original brackets or mounting holes in place? The AIM gives dimensions to location the holes for the lower outside bracket off it's mounting pad. Do you have that pad?
The grill fit is pretty tight at the end with the chrome surround pieces. You want to get the end gaps even. The top outside bracket is mounted to a hole in the headlight door frame and is not easily moved. I think you might be best off by test fitting everything is place and drilling the bracket mounting holes based on that.
John
The measurement you want are very difficult to make on an assembled car with any accuracy
I knew members with assemble cars could not help...no "sweat".
Are any of the original brackets, pads, or mounting holes in place?
No.....the previous owner installed a '76 front clip. I have to completely "gut" the grill area of the "rubber bumpers" and the solid license plate mounting location.
The top outside bracket is mounted to a hole in the headlight door frame and is not easily moved.
I think that's the reference point that I need to modify/add tabs, pads, etc. !!!!!!
I should receive the chrome surround pieces this week/I already have the 3-piece grills, the 4 grill brackets, and the chrome bumper.
Your explanation and pics are just what I need to make the modifications (I hated to see the '68 car sit/butchered-up....so I bought it knowing I would have to spend $$$$ just to resto-mod it)
So.....thanks for taking the time....the fixed headlight assembly will be my starting point......you gave me the info that I needed without the need for numbers/measurements.
DoorGunner, you do realize that 68's have different grill brackets than a 69, like on Rogers car? I think that the best thing to do is mount the brackets to your grills and also have the chrome " L " installed, and then figure where the holes should be. Oh, also have the rubber stone shield mounted to help locate the brackets.
Do you have 68 brackets or 69? The 69 are sturdier. Also the two new 68 only lower inner ones that I purchased, did NOT fit the angle of the grill at all!. Lou.
Thanks Lou......
I bought the '69 brackets "by mistake"......good thing......LOL!
I'll make the brackets/anything fit at this point...LOL (again).....I need to "re-shape the outside edges of the opening to fit the shape of the '68 L & R grills.....
JC68: The top outside bracket is mounted to a hole in the headlight door frame
I'll mount the outside brackets/mount the inside brackets to the grills/position the grills in the openings/make cardboard templates of the modification that I need to male to the opening edges/etc....WHEW!
As you can see from the pic....the P.O. had the round turn signals screwed into the '76 grills.
Maybe later on I'll buy the correct clip....but for now "close is close enough"....I'm still trying to make the car drivable/legal.
Last edited by doorgunner; Sep 8, 2015 at 07:09 PM.
Those 68 only grill brackets are expensive but I believe the repros are made by the original manufacturer as they are an exact reproduction(I compared them to a set of NOS ones).
Those 68 only grill brackets are expensive but I believe the repros are made by the original manufacturer as they are an exact reproduction(I compared them to a set of NOS ones).
Thanks dug.......the brackets I have should fit......if not......they WILL fit when I am finished with them!
Dug, The lower inner ones that I bought from Paragon, about three and a half years ago, have the lower grill tab bent at an incorrect angle to match the bottom angle of the plastic grill. I should have sent them back, but did not. Also my original inner upper brackets were real long, not like the shorter ones that I received. The 68 AIM shows my old brackets, that I do not have anymore. Lou.
Dug, The lower inner ones that I bought from Paragon, about three and a half years ago, have the lower grill tab bent at an incorrect angle to match the bottom angle of the plastic grill. I should have sent them back, but did not. Also my original inner upper brackets were real long, not like the shorter ones that I received. The 68 AIM shows my old brackets, that I do not have anymore. Lou.
Lou, when I bought mine all I needed/bought was the outers. Thanks for the heads up.
Doug
I need 3 Grill dimensions...Please.
