c-1 , 1958 grille assembly

[Susan G.]

Hi, I have just had my grille re chromed and in re assembly have discovered several things. The teeth are very hard to place back on the middle bar. I have had to squeeze the bar and some what force the teeth on. Has anyone else had this same issue. One tooth I will have to really force and am afraid I will damage the chrome if I go ahead. The teeth once on are not level with the open end of the bar on all teeth ( It looks like the teeth are short). Is that normal? The fit of the curve on some of the teeth around the bar has large gaps on some of the teeth while others are snug. Is this also normal? Would these variances occur from re chroming? I did not take the grille apart when I sent it out for re chroming and dont recall if it started out this way or not. Thanks in advance as always, regards Susan

[John M.]

Re: c-1 , 1958 grille assembly

Something is rotten in Denamrk, I have never seen a C1 grille that needed any force to mount the teeth on it. Every one I have had, the teeth just fell off when you loosened the bolts. I would suspect that you have the teeth on in the wrong sequence. I do not have my AIM here tonight, but I believe that the sequence of the teeth is called out in it. You will find the GM part #'s on the inside of the teeth.

Regards, John McGraw

[Susan G.]

Re: c-1 , 1958 grille assembly

John, thanks for the response, I have the corvette restorer article which lays out the order of the teeth with part numbers. All my teeth are correct alpha and numeric to the order of assembly. This is why I am so puzzled about how tight the teeth are. The other thing I have noticed is that for example the 4 positions they fit better in a specific spot and by that i mean of the 4 number 4 spots they do not interchange all that well. They go on a bit easier in one specific spot. I hope you know what I am trying to describe. Any other ideas I would appreciate. Regards Susan

[Roy B.]

Re: c-1 , 1958 grille assembly

You may being putting them on up-side-down

[Mike E.]

Re: c-1 , 1958 grille assembly

The only thing that comes to my mind is that with the chroming, if they did the triple-plate process, that the plating might just be that much thicker that it causes the issues. Otherwise, teeth fit the bar without much trouble the rest of the time.

[Susan G.]

Re: c-1 , 1958 grille assembly

Hi Mike, I did have triple plating, and think this is the trouble. The teeth are very snug in position 4. I guess I will squeeze the bar and tap them on. Dont know any other way to do it, regards Susan

[Susan G.]

Re: c-1 , 1958 grille assembly

Hi Roy, thanks for the help, there does not seem to be a difference either way. I think the plating may have caused distortation. Dont want to seem dumb here but how would you know if it were upside down when they bind either way? Regards Susan

[Roy B.]

Re: c-1 , 1958 grille assembly

Because the center bar is not flat or straight but angles or curves makes the teeth cut out angle different on each or end teeth mostly keeping them pointed straight ahead when installed or they angle off. The 53 to 57 center bar is even more dramatic being longer and curved, looking at a #6 tooth on the 53 to 57 you really see the difference if you turn the tooth 180 and try to install it.

[Susan G.]

Re: c-1 , 1958 grille assembly

Hi Roy, I have noticed on the ends it is very easy to tell which is the right orientation, but as you move to the #4 it is very hard to tell. Do you know if the part numbers face (read a certain direction)? If someone knew that then it would be easy to mount. Any chance you would know that? Thanks for the help, regards susan

[Roy B.]

Re: c-1 , 1958 grille assembly

I did know years ago BUT! not right now, I havn't done them in years, sorry