71 bumper install

[Vincent F.]

I am lightly snugging the bolts from the support brackets to the bumpers, my heart just stopped at the sound of crackling fiberglass where the bumper touches my brand new paint job. Should there not be some rubber spacers in between. uneven fit and gaps, barely any adjustments can be made, is this stuff normal. Not used to fiberglass cars. any tips greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance.

[Stewart L.]

Re: 71 bumper install

The time to fit the bumpers and close up any uneven gaps is when the body work is being done before paint. There are not any rubber gaskets to help close up the gaps. About all that you can do is tighten it until you hear the cracking start, and if that isn't close enough you either live with it, try to bend the bumper a bit, or redo the body work and respray the area. I assume you have all of the inner brackets snugged up to the glass on the inside as tight as they will go. You didn't say if you are using your undamaged orginal bumpers, rechromed or repo, as there can be some variances there.

[Vincent F.]

Re: 71 bumper install

yes, the bumpers are original to the car, I dont need to close any gaps, just metal touching painted fiberglass is very disturbing. I guess the cracking is normal? I feel like putting rubber tape in between.

[John L.]

Re: 71 bumper install

Vincent,
Did it touch before? On my 71 I have about 1/8" to 3/16" gap across the entire bumper to body area. Go back and try to readjust the bumper to frame brackets, if necessary you may have to slot a bracket or add washers to the back of the bumper. Good luck, keep us informed.

[Tom S.]

Re: 71 bumper install

There will be a slight gap between the bumper brackets and the body. That is normal, these cars did not fit perfect when they left the factory. I would put it together,leave everything a little loose and thighten the outsiide where it goes against the fender first.Then move to the center and work there. You will find it is not an easy job to get a nice fit.You will have to try tightening and loosening at differant points to get the best fit.I worked on my 69 for quite some time but ended with a decenmt fit after walking away several time over a 3 day period.Good luck Tom