Got my new trueflex bumper for the 73. Tried to do a test install and was disapointed to see that it will take major work to get it to fit properly. So much infact that I would install it seamless & blend it to the fenders, apron etc.as there is little hope of making a smooth panel blend line. Before I cut & grind, should i send it back & try a fiberglass model? P.S. doing a seamless install maybe smart, as the hood & fenders are bonded & seamless for the tilt conversion...

 

Went thru the same thing,..though the TruFlex looks like a good quality piece, it would have been more work than I had in mind. So, I traded it for the original urethane piece, which is much more supple and workable,..$410,..GM part number 6263597

http://www.gmpartsdirect.com/

 

Don’t give up so easy...

I say this because I just installed a tru-flex bumper on the front and back of a 74. The first time i bolted it up to the front I was by myself. It looked like hell. I bolted it up at least 3 times. Then got my brother to come help me out. It really takes two people and I elongated the holes quite a bit to give me room to play. One person has to be above either pushing or pulling and the other tightening the little nut as fast as possible. I removed it a couple more times adding and sanding off filler and then took a razor to trim the bumper a little.

Finally, my brother said "This isn’t going to be a trailer queen, can you live with that?" “Yes” I said.

In reality, the bumpers look good. The majority of the population will walk up and say "nice car" and never notice they are not 110% perfect. Corvette guys are the most critical. That said, I am happy with the fit and glad to be done with it. However, I will always remember the work it took to install them every time I wash her and feel that little freaking lip...

Ps. I was going to glass mine in too but BIG G talked me out of it. Even if you glass it in, in time, the seam will show up again. Once the seam is visible again and you have glassed it over, all you have done is make more work for yourself in the event you have to change the bumper in the future. It does look cool though.

 

thanx guys. i have it clamped into place & will let it set for a couple of days to see if the shape relaxes into the shape i need. however, even if it does, i am 1/4" shy on the passenger side...

 

Big G if you read this. Do you think that the seam would show if i glass it over with good preparation & technique? Afterall, there are many bonded panels on these cars that don't have "lines"

 

Only a 1/4" off! thats pretty good. What you need to realize is that when these corvettes were built, they were far from perfect and consistant with the fitting. They can vary 1/4" in sixe from car to car. You can get another bumber but chances are you will have the same problem. I installed these on my 76 and the front fit great but the rear needed some work.

Use Mar Glass Short strand fiberglass to build up the cover to fit. THen finish it with glaze coat or a similar type of filler. I bolted mine on and put masking tape up to the edge of the 1/4 pane then filled the bumper and built it up. When you pull off the tape, the 1/4 is clean and it just makes the job easier.

Good Luck

 

As you may already know, I'm not a big fan when it comes to bonding bumper covers on. You will get shrinkage "witness" lines , as the resin/adhesive continues to cure, long after the paint work is done. If you look at an unrestored 'Vette, you will see shrinkage on all bonding areas.

 

thanx all for the feedback. i am undecided what to do. I also have to repair a broken/ missing 3" section infront of the headlight opening that meets the bumper. I fixed a 6" section on the other side already, but somehow this side cracked & broke off, perhaps during the tilt portion of trial fitting for the front end when one of my kids were helping...

 

I replaced both front and rear bumpers on both my 76 and 79..and used Different brand of bumpers each and every time..

4 bumpers...all different manufactures and NOT a Single one Fit without a good deal of playing with them...

A good friend who runs his own body shop and who ahs done dozens of Bloomington cars told me he can not remember the last bumper that actually FIT right out of the box...

I am NOT a fan of glassing in the bumpers either...

Bob G,
64 72 & 98 Convertibles
76 & 79 Coupes