Lower Grill panel screws

[Leif A.]

Were the lower grill panel screws installed prior to paint? I have incorrect bolts in place currently. I have acquired the correct screws and they are black phosphate. Before I paint body color I wanted to check to be sure.

[Stephen L.]

Re: Lower Grill panel screws

My rule of thumb in these matters is: What is the sequence of assembly. Is the device called out in the AIM as an item rather than an assembly (as in an assembled transmission) Was the device riveted/glued in place (as are many brackets, reinforcements etc).
In your case I'd place the item in the category of "after paint", so it would not be body color......

[Leif A.]

Re: Lower Grill panel screws

My rule of thumb in these matters is: What is the sequence of assembly. Is the device called out in the AIM as an item rather than an assembly (as in an assembled transmission) Was the device riveted/glued in place (as are many brackets, reinforcements etc).
In your case I'd place the item in the category of "after paint", so it would not be body color......

Stephen,
I like your logical approach to answer my question and appreciate your input. So, if I understand you correctly, the lower grill panel wasn't installed prior to paint even though it is body color? I was just now opening my AIM to see if I could find some direction.

[Stewart L.]

Re: Lower Grill panel screws

Per the JG and original cars I have seen, the support rods and brackets were installed prior to paint, so the screws were painted.

[Alan D.]

Re: Lower Grill panel screws

Agree with Stewart - subject has been discussed, just can not find it.

[Richard M.]

Re: Lower Grill panel screws

Yes definitely installed before paint. The radiator support and support rods and lower valence brackets were installed before paint so the screws got paint too. Note it is a Phillips screw, flat washer, lock washer.

Much discussion about the radiator support, lower valence and hardware in this thread....

https://www.forums.ncrs.org/showthread.php?115741-1966-1967-Lower-Valence-Radiator-Core-Support-Valence-quot-Cut-out-quot-Details&highlight=Radiator+support+bracket

Typically there are 2 holes per side as described in the link above. Leif, for some reason it appears your lower valence only has one hole per side, or maybe someone filled in the rearward holes. The rearward hole was used for the pre-1966 cars, and those years did not have the forward hole.

Since someone used a very large washer on your present bolt hardware you may have to do a little bit off dressing up of the areas before you install the new hardware and paint.

Rich

[Stephen L.]

Re: Lower Grill panel screws

I stand corrected on this issue. At some point in the past I vaguely recalled that the area directly behind those screws may show raw fiberglass as the painter was spraying at fairly horizontal angle and the screw head blocked the coverage. I looked for the source of that comment and could not find it, so I went with my "rule". Old age is catching me.........fast......

[Leif A.]

Re: Lower Grill panel screws

Stephen, Alan, Stewart and Rich...thank you. Rich, my lower panel may be a replacement. It is a '67 but I would be surprised if GM had a different panel made with just the two forward holes...heck, you've done enough of these to know for sure. I agree with the size of the current washer. Unless I reuse the washer along with the phillips head screw and lock washer, I will have some touch-up to do. Gentlemen, as always, thank you very much for you knowledge and assistance.