geezer Posted May 12, 2009 Share #133 Posted May 12, 2009 Yes, it is consistent across the opening. The center grill support is a bit messed up on this piece but otherwise undamaged. I bought it to replace the lower part of the support on my '70. Maybe a few of you other guys could take the same measurement for comparison? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zedyone_kenobi Posted May 13, 2009 Author Share #134 Posted May 13, 2009 Mine measures 16 1/8" all the way across. So I am missing 3/8" of length. THere is no telling why. Perhaps the car was jacked up inappropriately. Who knows. THe question is, how much sleep am I going to lose thinking of ways to fix it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
geezer Posted May 13, 2009 Share #135 Posted May 13, 2009 A few more measurements to compare to would be nice but not nessesary. You would first have to identify what is bent out of spec. Is it the entire lower boxed section of the rad core support or just the bottom outer skin caved in or a combination of both? It could be bent backwards also if the car was driven up some curbing in it's past. Regardless, I think the best course of action to take here would be to assemble the center valance to the corners and allow it to hang loose in a position that looks good. Now, measure what length is needed and fabricate a bracket like you mentioned before, to join the center valance to the bracket to hold it in the desired position. It will be nessesary to use 3/8" spacers between the rad support and center valance with longer bolts to attach the spook to the rad core support as Carl has described. I don't think I would attempt to straighten the lower rad support on an otherwise finished car if it is easy enough to fab a bracket and use a few spacers. The end result should look good and the bracket & spacers will not be noticeable anyhow. Otherwise a more thorough diagnosis will have to be made before deciding how to straighten it, and that would mean more disassembly in order to gain access and allow the use of a spreader bar, etc. Too bad this wasn't all test fitted before the paint was done. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zedyone_kenobi Posted May 13, 2009 Author Share #136 Posted May 13, 2009 um. yeah, I think somebody may have mentioned that to me...cough... Arne.. cough Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Arne Posted May 13, 2009 Share #137 Posted May 13, 2009 Far be it from the likes of me to make note of that. I mean, it's not like I have never ignored instructions or advice in my enthusiastic haste before. I've got a small story on tap, once I get a few more miles on the car to confirm that I have truly fixed a recurring issue. And trust me, it doesn't reflect well on my ability to follow directions either. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zedyone_kenobi Posted May 14, 2009 Author Share #138 Posted May 14, 2009 Update: I did a trial fitting before drilling any holes. I need to go find out what size bolt goes into my center valance captive nuts. They are smaller than the welded nutplates on either side. Why they did not use all the same is beyond me. I am very pleased with the symmetry of the air dam. It fits well, and I think will snug up nicely once I get the sides drilled and bolted and the 5 center bolts in. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zedyone_kenobi Posted May 17, 2009 Author Share #139 Posted May 17, 2009 Just for informations sake, the bolts are M5's that fit the captive nuts in the lower valance.Its amazing how hard it is to find a good source of metric bolts. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Inf Posted May 18, 2009 Share #140 Posted May 18, 2009 Just for informations sake, the bolts are M5's that fit the captive nuts in the lower valance.Its amazing how hard it is to find a good source of metric bolts.I've always found that the local Ace Hardware branch usually has a good assortment of metric bolts in their "fastener central" or whatever area. Never had a problem finding the bolt I needed in stainless. This was for when I lived in Dallas and where I live in Austin, I assume Houston stores should be the same. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zedyone_kenobi Posted May 19, 2009 Author Share #141 Posted May 19, 2009 I should have tried a smaller hardware store in the first place.. hoping to bolt everything up this weekend. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zedyone_kenobi Posted May 21, 2009 Author Share #142 Posted May 21, 2009 Almost finished with this project. I am just about happy with the way its looking on the car. I need to do some final adjusting and shimming, but I think its looks pretty 'far out' to use the 70's vernacular. My bumper is loosely bolted up still need to wiggle it just right to get the side bolts in, but I think thats will not prove too difficult. The tricky part was getting it back on by myself. THANK GOD FOR TUBE SOCKS Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Inf Posted May 21, 2009 Share #143 Posted May 21, 2009 That does look pretty rad.Before you take her down off the ramps, do you think you could get underneath and take some photos showing locations you bolted stuff up? Could be good reference, since I don't recall seeing such pictures before on this forum. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zedyone_kenobi Posted May 21, 2009 Author Share #144 Posted May 21, 2009 Ah, 2 points for the 80's 'rad' reference. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
motorman7
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