Hi, I was able to locate a pair of the original grille front support bars and their brackets that were missing on our car. I placed them where they fit properly (help from the forum when locating the proper location of the wire loom clips) but am confused as both ends of the rods are tapped with threads. I know one end has bolts that secure them in front of the hood section on the brackets but they slip over the grille studs on the other end. Is this correct and I just place a washer, lock washer and nut over it to secure these in place. Grille assembly and all the bolts that attach it were purchased at GM dealer in the early 1970's. Thanks
-
-
Re: C1 Front grille support bars question
Knowing the year would help me to reply. -
Re: C1 Front grille support bars question
Mike, it actually is the same for '58-'62. But yes it'd be best to know the exact model year.
Donald, you have to remove the upper grille shell to install the lower bolts into the bar. It doesn't mount to the grille studs.
The '58 to '62 had a threaded end on both ends of the bracket. The top up by the hood lip used a 5/16" bolt through the U-Bracket then into the bar. The lower end was held against the back side of the upper grille shell fiberglass and another 5/16" bolt through the fiberglass front to rear and into the lower threaded hole in the bar. Access is behind the shell.
There was a single hole in the FG for the lower bar bolt but most always were oval'ed out at the factory to fit the bar as they rarely lined up, this due to top surround to front facia inaccuracies during assembly. Every '58 - '62 nose I've ever worked on in 30 years has had this "feature".
Here's a example of a '60 I did a while ago. It came to me with the bars there but they used bolts and nuts, probably because the bar threads were stripped, but you can see the idea. The lower bolt is only accessible with the upper grille shell removed.
P1180001.jpgP1180002.jpgP1180005.jpgP1180006.jpgP1180030.JPGP1180031.JPG
Here's a '61...Same thing. Note the not so "round" holes.
PA150001.jpgPA150002.jpgPA150003.jpgPA150008.jpgPA150009.jpg
RichComment
-
Re: C1 Front grille support bars question
Thank you very much. That makes sense! When trying to fit the bars in, they would get close but not look exactly right. I know they were originals as they have a W stamped on one end of the arms and did not look like they were cut or extended. They were never in there when I got the car and forgot what was under the grille shell area. I just found out the license brackets are incorrect also. Purchased them from GM in the early 1970's and never gave it another thought about them being wrong . They always looked funny like they were too far away from the grille. When looking over other 61's at shows I would have a list of questions but this one slipped me! Found the article about GM just producing the extended ones for 1958-1960. That looks like a quick fix! Again thanks for the help from the forum and another piece of the puzzle, DonComment
Comment