Front Bumper Bar Mounting Brackets

[240 in OZ]

Hello

Anyone out there in Australia able to tell me if the 240z had the same front bumper bar mounting brackets as the 260z. The RHD fiche shows two different styles, one for the 240z and the other essentially for the 260z.

Would anyone out there that currently has some brackets off their car be able to measure them for me or trace around them and post some measurements to the board. Im particularly looking for the bend dimensions to get the correct profile.

I am currently having some difficulity in mounting my front bumper on my 71 240z. Im in Australia. I have had to bend the brackets totally out of shape to get the holes in the brackets to line up with the mounting studs in the bumper bar.

To do this I installed the brackets into the grille recess of the car and held the bumper bar to them. I then removed the brackets and bent them in a vice to get the holes to line up with the studs. The result is that they are now totally out of shape. I also had to bend them so that they wouldnt clash with the body panels.

I fear I am doing something wrong or missing something. I think that I have the incorect brackets as I have the type that is shown in the parts fiche for the 260z model.

If anyone is willing to help me Id appreciate it.

[ZmeFly]

different at least here in the states. the 260s had a little spacer which put the bumpers out further away from the car. then a filler would go inbetween to make up for the space to try and give it a clean look

[240 in OZ]

Yep, that much I know.

You have to remember that here in Australia we didnt get the fedral impact law bumper bars on our 260z's and we also got the 260z until 78 when the 280zx was introduced. We didnt see the 280z here.

The picture in the fiche shows the 240z style to have a "Y" shape on the end that the bumper bar bolts to while it shows the 260z style to be essentially an "L" shape.

[ZmeFly]

when i had taken my bumpers off for painting of the car its how i remembered the brackets as you described.

[240 in OZ]

As what, Y shaped or L shaped?

I still need some Aussie feedback on this one, no offence to the LHD guys.

Joseph

[ZmeFly]

the y shape is what i was refering too.

[sjcurtis]

I have just taken a look at my 73, front bar mount brackets and they appear like they could be sourced under the same part number L shaped, just fitted in a reverse direction on the bar. description = both brackets exidibet the same sharp direction change just past the outer mount hole (bar mount end) so that the bracket almost gets to 90 degrees bend towards the rear but not quite. then the bracket continues to the rear and outwards through a gentle curve to the rear for three inches at this point both brackets are parallel and the attach points would be aligned. Back to the gentle curve+ if you measure about 1 inch to the outboard side of each outer attachment stud on the bar, at that point use a ruler with the brackets tight on the stud if the ruler is laid towards the rear over the marked point. you will intersect both brackets about 2.5 inches to the rear just as the bracket starts to align parallel to the mounting point on the front subframe ( the attach is a further inch or so further to the rear.

this is only as my bar is fitted.

A big hint with your task, sort the brackets, achieve a measured alighment with the brackets firmly attached to the bar, then fitt

(2 People are a must, 3 is better)

My 2c

Steve :classic:

[dohc]

Both my 260Z's have had the "L" shaped bracket.

Just thought I'd add that:classic:

[240 in OZ]

I just wanted to correct something that Steve mentioned in his reply for the record. He said that he believes that the brackets could be sourced under the same part number.

I dont believe that this is correct. If you look closely at the mounting holes which are drilled into the brackets which fit into the front grille cavity of the car the holes are offset from the centre of the bracket, looking from top to bottom on the bracket.

Hence if the same part number was bought the bumper bar would not hang straight as I dont believe that there would be that much adjustment in the fitting of it to correct this offset.

FWIW, the brackets are mounted correctly when the bolt holes are towards the top of the bracket.

Sorry Steve, just wanted to set this one straight.

I have also contacted a friend on mine in the meantime since I posted this message to the board who has restored several cars including both 240z's and 260z's here in Australia and he has only ever seen the L shaped brackets on the cars that he has done. He is of the opinion that only the very early cars that would have come into Australia would have had the Y or T shaped brackets installed.

I am still yet to work this one out. If anyone can post a tracing or some measurements of the correct bends to the list, from the USA or from anywhere of the L shaped brackets Id appreciate it. I can then rebend mine so that they look right.

Thanks

Joseph

[sjcurtis]

240 in OZ,

I must confirm that I have two diffrent brackets on my car, on closer inspection the bracket to car attachment point is offset vertical which precludes the same bracket on both sides.

I confirm the correct alignment / fit position for both brackets is offset hole up.

Cheers

Steve:classic:

[1 Bravo 6]

G'Day,

Just thought I'd toss in my ten cents worth.

My 260 Sports is 8/74 vintage and has the "L' shape mounts.

Hope that's some help,

Rick.