front bumper replacement

Lifetime Member

Waterford, MI - USA

Joined: 9/13/2002

Posts: 1795

Vette(s): 1973 Red coupe

With the some what nice weather we have been having lately I decided to start working on fitting the new Flex fiberglass bumper. Still have a ways to go but it will be done before the end of April.

Brian - NCM Lifetime Member

73 coupe L48, Flat-top pistons, Performer RPM Heads, Crane Cam and roller rockers, Holley 650 vac sec. Performer intake,
3.55 gear BTO 200-4R trans,
Leather seats, Seatbelt Plus 3point seatbelts, Pioneer CD player
Magnaflow Exhuast System

Dewitt radiator and dual electric fans

Borgeson Steering box

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front bumper replacement

Posted: 3/23/07 7:17pmMessage 2 of 17

Adams' Apple

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Duncanville, TX - USA

Joined: 11/8/2003

Posts: 22720

Vette(s): #1-1974 L-48 4spd Cp Med Red Metallic/Black deluxe int w/AC/tilt/tele./p/w-p/b/ Am-Fm/map light National/Regional/Chapter NCRS "Top Flight" #2-1985 Bright Red/Carmine Cp.L-98/auto Member: NCRS, NCRS Texas, Corvette Legends of Texas

Is that a trans cooler I see there?

Looks like you're replacing the actual steel bumper, too?

How much "fitting" do you think you'll have to do on the flex bumper cover? Does it fit fairly close, or way off? The only one I've ever used was on the rear of a '77, and it fit pretty nice out of the box.

Joel Adams
C3VR Lifetime Member #56
My Link

(click for Texas-sized view!) NCRS

"Money can't buy happiness -- but somehow it's more comforting to cry in a CORVETTE than in a Kia"

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front bumper replacement

Posted: 3/23/07 8:47pmMessage 3 of 17

r

ranger3

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North Charleston, SC - USA

Joined: 3/20/2004

Posts: 4208

Vette(s): 1975 L48 AT AC T-top

Let us know how it goes on. I've never had the pleasure of a nose piece install. I did do the rear cover on my previous 76. That was not bad at all.

Good Luck,
Scott

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front bumper replacement

Posted: 3/24/07 6:14amMessage 4 of 17

Lifetime Member

Waterford, MI - USA

Joined: 9/13/2002

Posts: 1795

Vette(s): 1973 Red coupe

[QUOTE=Adams' Apple]Is that a trans cooler I see there?

Looks like you're replacing the actual steel bumper, too?

How much "fitting" do you think you'll have to do on the flex bumper cover? Does it fit fairly close, or way off? The only one I've ever used was on the rear of a '77, and it fit pretty nice out of the box.[/QUOTE]

Trans cooler heat sink I put in when I installed the OD trans. I still use the radiator cooler too. http://www.cardomain.com/ride/565523/5 trans cooler

I just took the steel bumper off until I fit the new bumper cover on. Makes it easier to clamp it in place to check the fit. Once that is done I will take it back off and paint it.

Looks like a little issue with the right side top edge, some thing is going to have to ground either on the back of the bumper cover or the front edge of the car. It is sticking out away making a large seem down the side. The drivers side seems to fit closer. I am going to use some clamps to hold in place and take pics. Before I do any changing for the paper I am writing for "Sharkbites".

Redwingvette2007-03-24 06:21:49

Brian - NCM Lifetime Member

73 coupe L48, Flat-top pistons, Performer RPM Heads, Crane Cam and roller rockers, Holley 650 vac sec. Performer intake,
3.55 gear BTO 200-4R trans,
Leather seats, Seatbelt Plus 3point seatbelts, Pioneer CD player
Magnaflow Exhuast System

Dewitt radiator and dual electric fans

Borgeson Steering box

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front bumper replacement

Posted: 3/24/07 9:13amMessage 5 of 17

my7t1

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Dorr, MI - USA

Joined: 8/21/2002

Posts: 2581

Vette(s): 71 Colonnade Hardtop Coupe Torch Red with black interior originally L48 built to push around 360hp

looking good Brian. Bet you'll be done before me. Let's get em' goin' so we can go crusin'. Terry

Click on images for Before and After pics!

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front bumper replacement

Posted: 3/24/07 2:27pmMessage 6 of 17

aceinthehole

Former Member

Manteca, CA - USA

Joined: 11/20/2005

Posts: 3623

Vette(s): 1978,two tone,Metalic Rootbeer & gold 1975 L48 4 speed

This will be interesting. I've got one to replace on the 78.

Jimmy B.
Just can't wait to get on the road again.

Click to see larger views!

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front bumper replacement

Posted: 3/25/07 12:19pmMessage 7 of 17

Lifetime Member

Waterford, MI - USA

Joined: 9/13/2002

Posts: 1795

Vette(s): 1973 Red coupe

A little off the back side of the bumper and a little off the front of the car and it fits pretty good, well aleast better then the urethane one did.

Now its off and I am taking it to the paint shop.

What type of paint should I use. The last time I had one of the fenders repaired they used an acrylic urethane from PPG.

Redwingvette2007-03-25 12:22:16

Brian - NCM Lifetime Member

73 coupe L48, Flat-top pistons, Performer RPM Heads, Crane Cam and roller rockers, Holley 650 vac sec. Performer intake,
3.55 gear BTO 200-4R trans,
Leather seats, Seatbelt Plus 3point seatbelts, Pioneer CD player
Magnaflow Exhuast System

Dewitt radiator and dual electric fans

Borgeson Steering box

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front bumper replacement

Posted: 3/26/07 3:43pmMessage 8 of 17

Lifetime Member

Waterford, MI - USA

Joined: 9/13/2002

Posts: 1795

Vette(s): 1973 Red coupe

Wow! I just drop $145 on paint and stuff. And all I got was a pint of paint and some sealer plus hardeners and the like. I can't emagine how much the paint would cost if I was painting the whole car.

Brian - NCM Lifetime Member

73 coupe L48, Flat-top pistons, Performer RPM Heads, Crane Cam and roller rockers, Holley 650 vac sec. Performer intake,
3.55 gear BTO 200-4R trans,
Leather seats, Seatbelt Plus 3point seatbelts, Pioneer CD player
Magnaflow Exhuast System

Dewitt radiator and dual electric fans

Borgeson Steering box

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front bumper replacement

Posted: 3/26/07 5:59pmMessage 9 of 17

aceinthehole

Former Member

Manteca, CA - USA

Joined: 11/20/2005

Posts: 3623

Vette(s): 1978,two tone,Metalic Rootbeer & gold 1975 L48 4 speed

A good friend of mine is a painter for 20 yrs. and he claims good quality paint, maybe a little clear coat $700-1200. I can't afford his paint jobs ( he just did a 78 pacer, Beautiful ) I had to trade him my boat ( 17' Bayliner ) for paint on the silver '81 ( coming soon ).

Jimmy B.
Just can't wait to get on the road again.

Click to see larger views!

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front bumper replacement

Posted: 3/27/07 4:29amMessage 10 of 17

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