Mounting a bracket

[Todd L.]

I removed the headlamp supports a while back and they were ruined from Galvanic corrosion. The "V" shaped bar which is mounted to the underside of the nose of the car is all rusted. I want to replace that part, my question is:
What is the proper procedure for doing this? How do I determine how to align it, so when I attach new headlamp supports ( I still need to acquire) they will provide proper clearance with the rest of the headlamp assembly? Do they bolt into place? I did not see any bolts, but there was much rust. Are they glued? How do I remove them? If they are glued into place, what do I use for glue? Are new supports going to have all the necessary holes drilled and tapped to accept everything?
Know of a god source for headlamp supports?
1974 LS4 Coupe

Thanks

Todd

[Jack H.]

Re: Mounting a bracket

There's more than one thread in the archives on the issue of early Shark front header bars... They're held in place by rivets and the aluminum rivets are subject to galvanic corrosion that typically results in circular 'bumps' across the nose fiberglass of these cars.

The prior threads discuss methods of removing the telltale 'bumps' which generally involves cutting the top fiberglass, drilling out the corroded aluminum rivets and executing fiberglass repairs...

[Todd L.]

Re: Mounting a bracket

I tried doing an archive search, I used the keyword Header bar, I received nothing but header questions, when I used headerbar, I received one archive, a member asked about a 69, he received one reply, which did not help me. How can I do the search to get at all the threads concerning headerbars on a 74 which answers my questions?

Todd

[Harmon C.]

Re: Mounting a bracket

Todd
With a 74 you have no rivets to worry about holding the header bar that stoped in 72. The header was bonded on and I use Lord Fusor products to install the new one. With the headlights out you can use lots of clamps to hold it in place. Rough up the bonding area with rough sandpaper. Locate the new bar where the old one was so if you leave some glue on that was outside the original bonding it will be a guide. All holes should be in the new bar with weld nuts so everything should line up. If your old bar is rusty pry or chisel it off.

[Todd L.]

Re: Mounting a bracket

Thanks Lyle,
So the plan is to chisel/pry the old one off, rough up the fiberglass with sandpaper and use the old glue as a guide. If I buy a headerbar and have it powder coated will that gain me anything? Should I put anything between the headerbar and my headlamp supports to prevent galvanic corrosion in the future? Finally a good source to purchase a headerbar?

Todd

[Harmon C.]

Re: Mounting a bracket

The new bar will come painted black and should be good enough paint the way the car will be used. I would not worry about future corrosion.The bar is sold by all the vendors and may be made by only one.