Chrome bumper guys
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 6,938
Likes: 1
From: San Diego CA
Chrome bumper guys
Hey I have all my chrome out being replated so concentrating on aligning everything. Last night got the chrome grill surrounds and installed. Right side is perfect but left side aligns almost 1.5" inbord and not aligning with holes from original 9fiberglass is all chipped up underneath and basically I need to dremel new holes for it to align.
Now the grills. right side is even but the outer most right side bracket is no longer held in by 2 bolts but bubba riveted it and both rivets are way loose. The original nuts that tack weld to the bracket plate as I see on the left bracket are missing. need to dremel off the rivets and bore out for new bolts. The left side inner grill bracket is fine however the grill is almost 2" from the chrome while hte right grill is 1/2" from the chrome. Think I'll redrill new holes under the body and reposition the bracket to make the left grill match the right one. Think the car was in a front end accident long ago and they rushed the finishing touches, the main body work looked good but the grills are out of wack.
Safety Car
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 4,143
Likes: 0
Re: Chrome bumper guys (Cali,68,L-79)
Sounds like your supporting brackets might be bent. :eek:
I'll need to check underneath mine to see how it aligns......can't seem to remember how the chrome attaches. :crazy:
I'll need to check underneath mine to see how it aligns......can't seem to remember how the chrome attaches. :crazy:
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 6,938
Likes: 1
From: San Diego CA
Re: Chrome bumper guys (verskel)
The chrome grill surrounds have five tips that are not threaded. the speed nuts go over those and are a major bitch to get on. The brackets are straight and look like they should on my AIM. I think the brackets may be tweaked a bit but it's just easier to elongate the holes and push the bracket forward 1/2" and tighten her down. The washer on the bolt head will hide the elongated bolt holes.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 870
Likes: 0
From: trumbull ct
Re: Chrome bumper guys (Cali,68,L-79)
The outer grill brackets were riveted from the factory in 68. They used bolts in 69 only, and starting in 70 they went to an entirely different design.
George
George
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 2,157
Likes: 0
From: Pensacola FLA
Re: Chrome bumper guys (Cali,68,L-79)
David,
Another of those 68 only designs. Right lower outer, Left lower outer, Right upper outer, Left upper outer, Right lower center, Left lower outer, Right upper center, Left upper center :crazy:
I had to install all my brackets and trim work from scratch. I followed the AIM to get the general location and drilled holes where needed to line everything up.
Another of those 68 only designs. Right lower outer, Left lower outer, Right upper outer, Left upper outer, Right lower center, Left lower outer, Right upper center, Left upper center :crazy:
I had to install all my brackets and trim work from scratch. I followed the AIM to get the general location and drilled holes where needed to line everything up.
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 6,938
Likes: 1
From: San Diego CA
Re: Chrome bumper guys (68rdstr)
I moved the left outer grill chrome trim 1.25 inches to the left where it should be and it just about solved the grill to lip dimension issues. I think when the car goes to paint I'll again remove all the trim and using fiberglass/ mat cover over all the holes/ sand and redrill the holes making for a nicer/ stronger base to secure from. There is also a crack at the left panel under the gill I'm going to fix. Not before paint however because I want to cruise this summer and that can wait for winter time when she gets painted.
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 6,938
Likes: 1
From: San Diego CA
Re: Chrome bumper guys (Cali,68,L-79)
Okay the right grill is done and I have an even about 3/4" gap all the way arond. Had to bend all the brackets to achieve that but it looks great. now today starts the left side. What a PITA! Man I miss the simple 1-piece bolt in grill on my old 77. Took off the left headlight bezel and found the inner fiberglass section that holds the clips that secure the side screws was broken off so using Bubba's 4" wood screw (Phillips headed to secure the outer screw down other wise $175 for a bezel. Wish me luck on the left side it's all tweaked.
