question on bumper install

[Wayne P.]

When I took the bumpers off front and back I noticed that their were no spacers over the 7/16 bolts to frame. I understand the spacers allow for some flex when the body moves.Would anyone know the length of these spacers and how far out from the fiberglass do they go ?
2nd Question would it be wise to either to put rubber or cork on the mating surface of the bumper that touches the fiberglass ?
Thanks in advance.

[Rich P.]

Re: question on bumper install

Hey Wayne,

all the bracket to frame bolts are 7/16-14 so I'm not sure which ones you are talking about.
As far as putting something between the bumper and body that is not necessary if you have properly fit the bumpers to the body. I always fit them and also deburr the contact surfaces so when installed they wont scratch.

Rich

[Wayne P.]

Re: question on bumper install

Rich Yes you are correct 7/16 bolts. I understand their is a sleeve spacer that goes over the 4 bolt that holds the bumper to frame ? This allows the body to move. Do you have these spacers on your car ?

[Bob R.]

Re: question on bumper install

On the factory installation of the bumpers there was nothing between the bumper and the paint. I was also concerned about scratching the paint so I took a small piece of rubber used for rubber roofing. I believe the thickness is .060 and using contact cement I glued it to the chrome surface that touches the paint. The result was very good. It is thin enough that no one can see it and it protects the paint from scratching.

[John H.]

Re: question on bumper install

When I took the bumpers off front and back I noticed that their were no spacers over the 7/16 bolts to frame. I understand the spacers allow for some flex when the body moves.Would anyone know the length of these spacers and how far out from the fiberglass do they go ?

Wayne -

There were no such spacers in the midyear bumper system. The only spacers on a midyear are the four used where the bottom end of the chrome front bumpers attach to the front of the channel-section braces that bolt to the bottom of the front crossmember.

[Rich P.]

Re: question on bumper install

Rich Yes you are correct 7/16 bolts. I understand their is a sleeve spacer that goes over the 4 bolt that holds the bumper to frame ? This allows the body to move. Do you have these spacers on your car ?

The only spaceres were as John said on the fornt bumpers to lower brackets to prevent crushing of the bumpers and brackets. The only other thing I can think of is the shims between the rear center bracket and inner body.

Rich

[Wayne P.]

Re: question on bumper install

Thanks Guys. I would have thought the bumpers would have been designed to attach to frame leaving a gap so that the fiberglass body could move freely up and down allowing the fiberglass no stress.
I must be missing something. Will look again tonight.

[John H.]

Re: question on bumper install

Thanks Guys. I would have thought the bumpers would have been designed to attach to frame leaving a gap so that the fiberglass body could move freely up and down allowing the fiberglass no stress.
I must be missing something. Will look again tonight.

Wayne -

The body doesn't move freely up and down - it's bolted down solid to the frame at the front mounts at the bottom of the radiator support.

[Wayne P.]

Re: question on bumper install

John I was thinking more of the back.

[John H.]

Re: question on bumper install

John I was thinking more of the back.

Wayne -

The rear of the body is also tied down, by the #4 body mounts and the rear bumper bolts/brackets that tie to the side of the frame and to the frame rear crossmember; the body doesn't "float" relative to the frame.

[Jean C.]

Re: question on bumper install

John I was thinking more of the back.

Wayne,
There is no place on the rear bumpers on my '64 where there is interference between the bumper and a painted surface. If you are experiencing interference here, either your bumper attaching points are out of algnment or possibly you have a bumper or bracket that is bent.
Best regards,