How is 66 grill center attached?

[Joe R.]

My car was in a front collision before I got it (I know, everyone says that!). The top center fiberglass tab is broken off. There is a u-nut on the bottom, but no screw. How is all this supposed to look? Does anyone have some pictures they could share with me? I don't have any pics at the moment. Even if I did, I'm not sure how helpful that would be.

Thanks in advance!
Joe

[David L.]

Re: How is 66 grill center attached?

Joe,

Look in the 1967 Corvette AIM (UPC 11-13, sheet B1). If you don't have one send me a PM.

Dave

[John C.]

Re: How is 66 grill center attached?

Joe

Take a look at this thread. I think it will help with your questions.

https://www.forums.ncrs.org/showthread.php?92942-66-Center-Grill-attaching-point-bracket-Question

John

[Joe R.]

Re: How is 66 grill center attached?

Hi Dave,

Thanks for the info! I do have a paper 1966 AIM, but it's missing sheet B1. I don't have a 67 AIM.

Joe

[Joe R.]

Re: How is 66 grill center attached?

Hi John,

Thanks! That was a very helpful thread! For the bottom center grill mounting point, are the shim(s) reproduced? I see that there is a rod that helps support the top center grill mounting point. I'm missing that rod. Where is the best place to get it? I also need dimensions of the top fiberglass tab. Plus how to reproduce it. I seem to remember another thread where it was proposed to ensconce a metal washer in fiberglass.

Joe

[Wayne W.]

Re: How is 66 grill center attached?

Some 66s had the rod, some didnt.

[David L.]

Re: How is 66 grill center attached?

Hi John,

Thanks! That was a very helpful thread! For the bottom center grill mounting point, are the shim(s) reproduced? I see that there is a rod that helps support the top center grill mounting point. I'm missing that rod. Where is the best place to get it? I also need dimensions of the top fiberglass tab. Plus how to reproduce it. I seem to remember another thread where it was proposed to ensconce a metal washer in fiberglass.

Joe

Joe,

The rod is GM part # 3897387 in Gr. 1.287. I was lucky to find an NOS rod at a swap meet back in the early 1990's. Eckler's sells a reproduction for about $18 and I'm sure other venders have them as well.

Dave

[David L.]

Re: How is 66 grill center attached?

Some 66s had the rod, some didnt.

Wayne,

The date of the drawing showing the 3897387 rod in the 1967 AIM is "5-20-66" and "REL 6-13". I assume "REL 6-13" means that the drawing was released on June 13, 1966. If this is the case then the rod may not have been used on the the assembly line until sometime after June 13, 1966.

I bought my 1966 Corvette in 1979. The front fenders were "flared" so I replaced the complete nose during my 1980-1995 restoration with NOS GM fiberglass (including the bonding strips).

Dave

[James B.]

Re: How is 66 grill center attached?

Joe, I am in the middle of restoring my '67. Mine was tapped in the nose and the top tab broken like yours. Our shop has a 65 and 66 that I believe are both unhit cars and I duplicated those tabs. They are like an inverted triangle with the tip (pointing down rounded off). However it is not an equilateral triangle. The passenger side is longer and has more of an angle than the drivers side. Hard to explain, I'll try to attach two pics. One of the 66 with grill in place and one of my car and the tab I fabricated.IMG_0774.jpgIMG_0779.jpgMy restorer/mentor explained that this tab needs to be quite sturdy, particularly on 66 and earlier cars with no brace. If you are going to rebuild this tab PM me and I will explain how I did it- trying to get something as robust as possible while still looking original.

[John C.]

Re: How is 66 grill center attached?

Joe

Attached are a couple pictures to help you with size. I don't know anything about fiberglass repair so I don't know the best way to duplicate the tab. I would think a lot of people have had to add them back over the years so hopefully one of them will respond.

I'm not sure if the shims I have on my car are factory original or added at a later time. They are just your standard U shim similar to what was used on the sides of the radiator core support. The ones on my car are 1.25 inches square.

John

[David T.]

Re: How is 66 grill center attached?

According to Noland Adams' Restoration Guide Vol 2 the first 66 built in mid Jan 66 (serial 118244) was the first car built with the redesigned center brace. Prior to that no 66 cars had the center brace. If your serial number is lower than 118244 you do not need the brace.

[Wayne M.]

Re: How is 66 grill center attached?

This is the subject of a Technical Information Bulletin (blue sheet), dated 3/22/66.

quote: "When 1966 Corvettes are driven on rough surface roads, there is a possibility the outer grille supports may break at the body attaching locations.

In production, starting with VIN #S115499, the radiator grille supports are of an improved design and a radiator support rod has been added at the center. This is similar to 1965 production.

If outer grille support breakage is encountered on vehicles built prior to serial #S115499, install radiator grille supports, Part No. 3897389, and center radiator support rod, Part No. 3897387 (fig 1)" end quote.

[Henry J.]

Re: How is 66 grill center attached?

My 66 #19676 does not have the brace.

[Ronald L.]

Re: How is 66 grill center attached?

Henry,
Does your header bar have the center hole?

What do the two holes for the cross flag emblem look like? rounded or straight cut edge?

[R N.]

Re: How is 66 grill center attached?

Joe,

The rod is GM part # 3897387 in Gr. 1.287. I was lucky to find an NOS rod at a swap meet back in the early 1990's. Eckler's sells a reproduction for about $18 and I'm sure other venders have them as well.

Dave

Most if not all of repro braces I have seen are different than the originals - the flats on the ends are longer on the repros. I've seen them at Carlisle for $10.00 for used original ones