Hi all,

My next project is to re-assemble the front bumper, grilles, rubber filler, and top cooling plates. I have been studying all the parts off and on for a couple of days now. I am unsure where to start. It seems the grilles want to go into the bumper first, then attach to the upper filler. But then if the grilles are in place, will I still be able to reach the bolts for the cooling plates? And then there are the bottom bolts to those pesky rubber bumper fillers which seem to want to bolt on before swinging the bumper up into place. But those bolts also hold the bottom grille support pins. So it all seems to go in a circle. Can I install the grilles last?

Any advice?

I have a couple of pics on my photobucket to see what is already installed and what is not.

Grills go in before front bumper. The filler panels go in with speed nuts that attach to the latch assy and side gussetts, so you just need top access. The side rubber fillers attach from the top first and then to the bumper before you put it in place, extra set of hands quite helpful. This is just how I did it. But you may break the grills if you try to force them in after the fact. Keep everything on the loose side for adjustments, you'll need to align it all up.

Post some pics when you're done!

Craig,
We assembled our bumper off the car to the extent seen below. It was very easy to bolt up to the car after this point.

Jeff and Doug, thanks for the info. I know it may have been easier to take the front frame extensions off a couple of years ago, but I didn't. The original bumper was bent pretty bad on the left side, and that grille was shattered. So I just took everything apart piecemeal. I think I will try Jeff's suggestion and put the grilles in the bumper, get my 7 and 9 year olds to hold the bumper while I bolt in the fillers, and go from there.

I spent most of my evening figuring out what bolt went where and cleaning / painting the bolts for this week's installation. Good thing I have my '68 to see how everything goes back together.

I had them sitting side by side tonight in the garage. But then my wife got home from work and I had to move one out.

When I took everything apart a couple of years ago, I thought it would only be for a few months! Boy, was I wrong. I did take a bunch of pictures of the interior dis-assembly, so those should help. I just have deluxe door panels, carpet, front seats and belts, console, license plate brackets, and the bumper. That should pretty much finish her up!

Can't wait for her first cruise!

[That should pretty much finish her up!]

That's funny.

Why is that funny? Did I miss something?

One can always hope for the best!

Are you saying we can't count on our Pontiacs?

Not my pics, nevertheless really worth a look. Found them somewhere on the web...

http://home.att.net/~poncho68/hella/index.html

Saved and printed out for when I get to this step.

I likewise removed the whole bumper assembly as a piece, and will reinstall the same way.

I tried to assemble as I went and wound up removing the whole thing when I was close to being finished. The only way to do it properly is off the car.

Hey, I "finished" mine 2 years ago....I am still tweaking and bettering the odd piece or item, and will be for some time LOL.

Thats why we have the "doghouse" with the cars in there!

There are different degrees of the term "finished". Especially if you are talking to your spouse verses a fellow 'bird owner.

Yes dear, I'm finished with the car!

(everything after that point is maintenence)

Good point, and in my case its a dash bezel with the chrome worn off and that crappy applique, REPLACE with new.

Pull the valance and replace with a new old stock one I got for $300 so the signal on one side fits Better...

and on it goes LOL...but yes, I never tell my wife about those!

Well I finished up installing the front bumper assembly last night. I was stubborn and refused to remove the light assemblies first, but I did get everything installed and aligned very nice. I would definetly NOT reccomend doing it this way. Getting those two upper bolts between the top of the grille and through the upper bumper was a royal PITA!

I am glad my girls were gone last night or they would have learned some new not-so-nice words!

Way to go Craig! Glad you got that together... what else is left? Just the interior? Will you be ready to cuise in a couple weeks?
Car is looking awesome!

All I have "left" (let's not go there again) is the interior, one rocker trim, front air dam, cooling gussets, front and rear license plate brackets.

(oh, and insurance, oops!)

I hope to go for a ride this weekend.