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Your profile indicates you have a 68. Those frame extensions are the primary means of supporting the surround at the outer edges, including providing the attachment of the bumper. They are absolutely necessary for a variety of reasons. Do NOT drive the car without them.
Nicolle, If you look at the diagram #33509 or 33510 you'll notice they come through the body opening and are used to support the front bumper. They of course are removed to remove the body.
I believe the bumper bracket I have missing goes through that rubber seal area.
Would be just lateral to the headlight assemblies. Why perhaps I thought it was lett off till headlights installed or something else had to come first.
From the AIM, looks like it would attach to the part in your picture, perhaps sharing bolts?
Absolutely intend to put on, the order is what I was more concerned about.
Nicolle as I have removed the body on my C3 from what I remember the bracket didn't interfere with headlight assembly although it would seem to be a good idea to install the extension before you do anything else. https://www.topflightautomotive.com/...per-bracket-lh
I agree, the extensions don't affect the headlight assembly other than they help support the outer corners of the front cross piece that the front of the assemblies bolts to. Perhaps they were going to put the bumpers on later and didn't want the center U brace in the way (it's not really but kind of) for the headlight assy
M
This is from the AIM. Your concern started with item#18 but you will also need item #17, plus some shims (item #25) and all related nuts, bolts and washers.
This is not a simple “bolt it all back in” exercise - the entire front hood/surround fair depends on how the surround is supported by all this bracketry. Also, if not properly positioned, you will put stress on the fiberglass, potentially resulting in cracks.
This is from the AIM. Your concern started with item#18 but you will also need item #17, plus some shims (item #25) and all related nuts, bolts and washers.
This is not a simple “bolt it all back in” exercise - the entire front hood/surround fair depends on how the surround is supported by all this bracketry. Also, if not properly positioned, you will put stress on the fiberglass, potentially resulting in cracks.
Is item #1 currently installed?
This is my current situation. I “assume” DUB had the bumper in and off for body fitment but as I cannot ask him I have no idea 🤷🏼♀️
I am glad that you found the "dog leg" front bumper braces. 68-69 Are the same and the 70-72 are different. The small brackets to the front bumper are different also. The forward ends of the 68-69 braces are lower than the outer bumper holes. GM changed the bend on the 70-72 braces so that they end at the same height as the outer bumper bolt holes. The company that I worked for in maintenance for 34 years made these braces and some of the later years also. Lou.
I am glad that you found the "dog leg" front bumper braces. 68-69 Are the same and the 70-72 are different. The small brackets to the front bumper are different also. The forward ends of the 68-69 braces are lower than the outer bumper holes. GM changed the bend on the 70-72 braces so that they end at the same height as the outer bumper bolt holes. The company that I worked for in maintenance for 34 years made these braces and some of the later years also. Lou.
would this explain why I can’t get the bumper hole to line up with the bracket hole?
I don’t doubt what @loup68 says about the brackets but you need to start with everything loosely, repeat loosely, installed as this is a big jigsaw puzzle to get everything properly aligned first, then slowly progressing through tightening everything up while carefully observing that no stress is induced. Never, ever, tighten any bolt until ALL bolts are installed.
I noticed that you have the “twist” brackets that connect the lower front metal reinforcement to the main bumper attachment holes so that’s good as they are an important part of the assembly. They are often missing as they are a PITA to fit in. Do you have the center support rod?
Nicole, your "dog leg" front bumper braces appear to be the correct one's for 68-69 to me.. You have to understand that the weight of everything in the nose can sag the fiberglass down. You may have to try to support it to make the holes line up. In your first photo, I see that you also have the small triangle braces on top of the inner fenders. You also need the nose rod from the bottom of the radiator support to the tip of the nose.
My 26 March of 68 coupe did not have the nose rod, the triangle braces or the small twist braces. My nose fiberglass ended up with stress cracks at the ninety degree bend by the hood hinges. That is why GM had to add the brackets and nose rod. My company also made all of the Corvette radiator supports for GM. Lou.
My 69 has a rod that bolts to the lower radiator support and somewhere up front near the nose. It is as I remember yet another important stiffener to keep the from of the surround from moving around or cracking. I don't see it in this AIM picture but here is the only picture I have of it. Someone will have better insight to this than me but it is worth chasing down.
In post #12 you can see a threaded hole in the center of the support so I am guessing that is where the missing piece goes. The rod has flanged ends (i think) with a hole for a bolt to attach it.
Front frame extensions
