1972 Bumper too proud.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 155
Likes: 0
Hi Alan,
This is where I am now after following all advice. It looked better for a while then as things got tightened up it seemed to get worse. I may well start again and loosen up everything, is there a sequence to bolting up, any recommendations. This time I let everything take its natural place and did not force anything. I did put 3 shims on each bolt between the radiator support and the cross member. Here are the pics, advice please, I still think its too far out. Regards, Greg.
This is where I am now after following all advice. It looked better for a while then as things got tightened up it seemed to get worse. I may well start again and loosen up everything, is there a sequence to bolting up, any recommendations. This time I let everything take its natural place and did not force anything. I did put 3 shims on each bolt between the radiator support and the cross member. Here are the pics, advice please, I still think its too far out. Regards, Greg.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 31,283
Likes: 4,374
From: Westminster Maryland
Hi S,
It appears the bumper is 'squeezed' a bit.
In a completely unbolted condition the reveal of the bumper to the body should uniform along it's entire length. What are the gaps like if you just hold the bumper up to the body?
People try to correct for a slightly sprung or squeezed bumper with the brackets and spacers, but I feel that ultimately leads to cracks in the fiberglass in the outer corners.
It's possible that the ends can be spread a bit to pull the center in?
That would even the gap but that could put enough pressure on the center of the bumper that the chrome plating my split now or in the future.
????
Regards,
Alan
It appears the bumper is 'squeezed' a bit.
In a completely unbolted condition the reveal of the bumper to the body should uniform along it's entire length. What are the gaps like if you just hold the bumper up to the body?
People try to correct for a slightly sprung or squeezed bumper with the brackets and spacers, but I feel that ultimately leads to cracks in the fiberglass in the outer corners.
It's possible that the ends can be spread a bit to pull the center in?
That would even the gap but that could put enough pressure on the center of the bumper that the chrome plating my split now or in the future.
????
Regards,
Alan
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 19,294
Likes: 2,754
From: Charlotte NC
For what it is worth. I will ASSUME that when you start to tighten 'things' up...you are tightening the 2 center bumper bolts first. Get your horse shoe bracket tight and the front crossmember parts also.
SOMETIMES I have to LEAVE OUT the two outer bumper bolts when doing this. So the ends of the bumper are not under tension and can 'lay down' when I do install the bolts and brackets at the outer points. A lot of it depends when I go to tighten the outer two bolts if they feel pinched and hard to turn.
Writing that you put 3 shims under a part means nothing if you do not tell us what thickness this shim pack is spacing the parts apart.
I FOCUS on the horseshoe bracket and ITS ANGLE when the BUMPER is bolted to it in the center. VERY SMALL angle changes in the front crossmember extensions can change the angle at the END of the horseshoe brake DRASTICALLY. AND THIS can SHOW UP when you install the LOWER BRACKETS on the front crossmemeber so the bumper extension can be secured. SO I am constantly checking other parts when I move things or adjust what I need to to get parts to fit.
DUB
SOMETIMES I have to LEAVE OUT the two outer bumper bolts when doing this. So the ends of the bumper are not under tension and can 'lay down' when I do install the bolts and brackets at the outer points. A lot of it depends when I go to tighten the outer two bolts if they feel pinched and hard to turn.
Writing that you put 3 shims under a part means nothing if you do not tell us what thickness this shim pack is spacing the parts apart.
I FOCUS on the horseshoe bracket and ITS ANGLE when the BUMPER is bolted to it in the center. VERY SMALL angle changes in the front crossmember extensions can change the angle at the END of the horseshoe brake DRASTICALLY. AND THIS can SHOW UP when you install the LOWER BRACKETS on the front crossmemeber so the bumper extension can be secured. SO I am constantly checking other parts when I move things or adjust what I need to to get parts to fit.
DUB
Last edited by DUB; Feb 19, 2015 at 06:19 PM.
Pro
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 586
Likes: 10
From: Alexandria VA
I had this exact same problem a few weeks ago...resto/modding my 72. The frame extensions also can move/tilt slightly upward, which will result in a slight rise in the horseshoe and the front clip. The gap between the nose and the mount location on the horseshoe will widen slightly (1/2 inch or so), which will pull the bumper in toward the nose. I loosened the bolts on the extension and then we moved the entire assembly (cross member) slightly up while we held the bumper in place to get a feel for the right position. Once we got it where we needed it we tightened the extensions. It took two of us to do it but it worked like a charm. Also, I had three shims on each side of the horseshoe but each car is different.
Pro
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 586
Likes: 10
From: Alexandria VA
For what it is worth. I will ASSUME that when you start to tighten 'things' up...you are tightening the 2 center bumper bolts first. Get your horse shoe bracket tight and the front crossmember parts also.
SOMETIMES I have to LEAVE OUT the two outer bumper bolts when doing this. So the ends of the bumper are not under tension and can 'lay down' when I do install the bolts and brackets at the outer points. A lot of it depends when I go to tighten the outer two bolts if they feel pinched and hard to turn.
Writing that you put 3 shims under a part means nothing if you do not tell us what thickness this shim pack is spacing the parts apart.
I FOCUS on the horseshoe bracket and ITS ANGLE when the BUMPER is bolted to it in the center. VERY SMALL angle changes in the front crossmember extensions can change the angle at the END of the horseshoe brake DRASTICALLY. AND THIS can SHOW UP when you install the LOWER BRACKETS on the front crossmemeber so the bumper extension can be secured. SO I am constantly checking other parts when I move things or adjust what I need to to get parts to fit.
DUB
SOMETIMES I have to LEAVE OUT the two outer bumper bolts when doing this. So the ends of the bumper are not under tension and can 'lay down' when I do install the bolts and brackets at the outer points. A lot of it depends when I go to tighten the outer two bolts if they feel pinched and hard to turn.
Writing that you put 3 shims under a part means nothing if you do not tell us what thickness this shim pack is spacing the parts apart.
I FOCUS on the horseshoe bracket and ITS ANGLE when the BUMPER is bolted to it in the center. VERY SMALL angle changes in the front crossmember extensions can change the angle at the END of the horseshoe brake DRASTICALLY. AND THIS can SHOW UP when you install the LOWER BRACKETS on the front crossmemeber so the bumper extension can be secured. SO I am constantly checking other parts when I move things or adjust what I need to to get parts to fit.
DUB
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 31,283
Likes: 4,374
From: Westminster Maryland
Hi Sly,
Yes, that looks like a very big improvement!
I'm pleased you were able to achieve such a nice fit!
Wouldn't mind seeing a few pictures of the whole car one of these days!
Good Luck!
Regards,
Alan
Yes, that looks like a very big improvement!
I'm pleased you were able to achieve such a nice fit!
Wouldn't mind seeing a few pictures of the whole car one of these days!
Good Luck!
Regards,
Alan
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Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 31,283
Likes: 4,374
From: Westminster Maryland
Hi Greg,
Wow!
Your car looks VERY nice!!!!
Bumper fit isn't perfect but it is very good. We've been focused on it, but I think to anyone else it will look just fine.
That sun and those palm trees look pretty good right now… I believe our forecast is for more snow tonight.
Again, good looking car.
Regards,
Alan
Wow!
Your car looks VERY nice!!!!
Bumper fit isn't perfect but it is very good. We've been focused on it, but I think to anyone else it will look just fine.
That sun and those palm trees look pretty good right now… I believe our forecast is for more snow tonight.
Again, good looking car.
Regards,
Alan