Front Bumper Early C-3's 68 thru 72

[Rey S.]

To all of our distinguished members that over the years have been most helpful to me and my project. My question this issue relates to the vertical positioning of the front bumper brace assembly (UPC sect. 14, sheet A2, Part #1). It appears that this brace positions the vertical position of the front bumper. What (if any) is the measurement up/down of this brace in relation to the nose of the car.
The face of this brace that the bumper bolts to is 3" (to its horizontal center line) below the metal nose support brace. if this measurement needs to be adjusted are body shims used on the mounting points or is the slop of the bolts sufficient? There are four on the brace it self and four on the cross member assembly.
Looking forward to any reply from anyone who is more knowledgeable than I on this subject !
Thanks for the help. Rey

[Mark E.]

Re: Front Bumper Early C-3's 68 thru 72

I installed the bumpers on my '70 not too long ago but I'm not clear about what you're asking. Can you post a photo showing the issue?

[Bill L.]

Re: Front Bumper Early C-3's 68 thru 72

To all of our distinguished members that over the years have been most helpful to me and my project. My question this issue relates to the vertical positioning of the front bumper brace assembly (UPC sect. 14, sheet A2, Part #1). It appears that this brace positions the vertical position of the front bumper. What (if any) is the measurement up/down of this brace in relation to the nose of the car.
The face of this brace that the bumper bolts to is 3" (to its horizontal center line) below the metal nose support brace. if this measurement needs to be adjusted are body shims used on the mounting points or is the slop of the bolts sufficient? There are four on the brace it self and four on the cross member assembly.
Looking forward to any reply from anyone who is more knowledgeable than I on this subject !
Thanks for the help. Rey

There is a lot of give in the fiberglass between the nose and lower air dam. There is also a rod that goes from the radiator support to the nose on my 70. The rod is slotted on the nose end and will allow a little adjustment to set the distance between the lower air dam and nose.

There is also a note on UPC sheet 11-13 regarding the centerline of the lower crossmember that attaches to the frame extensions to set the front bumper. I suspect this is key since it is the only mention of a measurement regarding all those pieces that make up the front bumper pieces and grills.

I am in the middle of this on my 70. The one advantage I have is that everything fit perfectly on a no hit front end. I took some key measurements to help with reassembly. There were no shims on my 70 when I took it apart. Must have been a good day for the UAW.

I do know the AIM shows shims on front bumper outermost mounts and on the radiator support. I do not see shims elsewhere.

Hope this helps. I am thinking there is a lot of trial and error too.

Bill

[Alan S.]

Re: Front Bumper Early C-3's 68 thru 72

Hi Rey,
Good to talk to you!
It sounds as though things are progressing on your car! GOOD!!
Here's a picture from Patrick H.'s 72 Bowtie car showing a shim in place at one of the locations I think you're asking about.
I'd think a shim at this location would have the effect of lowering the point at which this large brace bolts to the center of the bumper. (It appears there's tape residue from another shim, or shims, on the right side of the brace too.)
The 'notch' in the front/center of the fiberglass hood surround allows this movement to occur separate from the front clip (as long as the left and right corner bumper brace bolts haven't been installed yet.)
Does this perhaps help?
Regards,
Alan

[Rey S.]

Re: Front Bumper Early C-3's 68 thru 72

IMG448.jpg I have been asked to post a picture of the bumper brace gap I am inquiring about ----- I will try.

[Rey S.]

Re: Front Bumper Early C-3's 68 thru 72

Alan -- Good to hear from you, Thanks for the pic, quite helpful.
Rey

[Bill L.]

Re: Front Bumper Early C-3's 68 thru 72

[ATTACH=CONFIG]62480[/ATTACH] I have been asked to post a picture of the bumper brace gap I am inquiring about ----- I will try.

Gap appears quite large. Mine was almost up against the top surround. Do you have a picture of the frame extensions on each side and the crossmember? If they are correct I suspect a bent brace. The cut out in the hood surround is so the brace can tuck up in there.


Bill

[Alan S.]

Re: Front Bumper Early C-3's 68 thru 72

Hi Rey,
Remember the large horseshoe brace sits on the front cross-member which bolts to the 2 frame extensions which bolt to the front frame horns.
There's a LOT of adjustment at that point (extensions to horns).
Is it possible that the front cross member is tipped down because of the way the extensions are mounted?
This could drop the horseshoe brace as shown in your picture.
Regards,
Alan

One of the frame extension bolts is hidden when the outer bumper brace is installed.

[Bill L.]

Re: Front Bumper Early C-3's 68 thru 72

Hi Rey,
Remember the large horseshoe brace sits on the front cross-member which bolts to the 2 frame extensions which bolt to the front frame horns.
There's a LOT of adjustment at that point (extensions to horns).
Is it possible that the front cross member is tipped down because of the way the extensions are mounted?
This could drop the horseshoe brace as shown in your picture.
Regards,
Alan

One of the frame extension bolts is hidden when the outer bumper brace is installed.

Yep. What Alan said better than me.


Bill

[Mark E.]

Re: Front Bumper Early C-3's 68 thru 72

Hi Rey,
Remember the large horseshoe brace sits on the front cross-member which bolts to the 2 frame extensions which bolt to the front frame horns. There's a LOT of adjustment at that point (extensions to horns).
Is it possible that the front cross member is tipped down because of the way the extensions are mounted?
This could drop the horseshoe brace as shown in your picture.
Regards,
Alan

Rey- How many of these components were removed and are now being installed? If you did a complete tear down, I can imagine the tolerance stack up could be significant- maybe enough to allow the center bumper brace to be vertically aligned where you need it.

EDIT: When I have this type of situation, I just keep telling myself that it all fit before I took it apart. Just to keep me going...

[Jim T.]

Re: Front Bumper Early C-3's 68 thru 72

Hi Rey,
Remember the large horseshoe brace sits on the front cross-member which bolts to the 2 frame extensions which bolt to the front frame horns.
There's a LOT of adjustment at that point (extensions to horns).
Is it possible that the front cross member is tipped down because of the way the extensions are mounted?
This could drop the horseshoe brace as shown in your picture.
Regards,
Alan

One of the frame extension bolts is hidden when the outer bumper brace is installed.

Alan I do not think I have ever seen a garage with wood flooring like yours, I need to show this picture to my wife. Looks really great and beautiful.