Just joined the site about a week ago. I have looked at several post dealing with the front bumper, grill arrangment. I have learned a little, but need some help. I'm working on a 68 Firebird for a friend. I came to me in pieces, with parts missing, and I'm trying to assembly the front end. He will not purchase any books to help. I have bought new parts that were needed. I need to know the correct way to piece the front together.
The front bumper brackets are attached to the frame. From what I have been able to come up with, I think this might be the order.
1. Install the headlights and top piece to the bumper brackets that is shaped like a J with the two bolts per side.
2. Then install the grill pieces loosely to this piece.
3. Then install the bumper to the top piece with the carrage bolts at the top.
4. Once this is all together, move the grill pieces in place with the lower small brackets and secure in place.
5. Then start getting everything adjusted side to side and top of fenders, etc.
6. Finally tighten everything down

Is this correct or am I way off. Any help will be much appreciated.
If you haven't noticed, this is my first time with the 68 Firebird. I have pictures on my computor, but they don't have an address I can use to load them on site.

Jim

Hey guys, I know I'm new to the site, but can't you give an old
dog a bone. Any advise would be great, or if you can take some pics of the front end of your cars and post on here, I'm sure I
can figure it out, anything would be helpful. I've had 51 views, but no replys...Thanks Jim

I have not totally reassembled my front end as I am waiting on my upcoming paint job, but I will give it a stab.

1) First I created a subassembly. I installed the "J" (I prefer "boomerang") shaped brackets to what I call the "upper header panel". The upper header panel is the heavy gauge metal piece that is prow shaped to match the beak of the hood.

2) Next, I installed the subassembly from #1 to the subframe horns and the radiator support using bolts (below) and the rubber cushions with threaded studs on them. I did not tighten it up all the way.

3) Next I attached the headlight supports, which already had the metal bulb cups attached, and then the headlights to the "J" shaped bumper brackets.

4) Next created another subassembly out of the bumper - But I skipped the grills in my case. You would want to attach the lower bumper brackets to the bumper itself. Then attach the grills on their lower brackets to the lower bumper.

5) Get a buddy and position the bumper subassembly up into the space such that it slides under the "upper header panel" and the lower brackets attach to the "J" shaped brackets.

6) Bolt the top of the bumper to the "upper header panel" using chrome headed bumper bolts upside down and then screw the upper bolts through the "upper header panel" down to secure the tops of the grills.

7) Align the bumper assembly and tighten up all the bolts.

Sometimes you can get a glimpse or two and some ideas from some of the members photobucket or flicker pictures.

Here's a couple. I'm sure Dave and Craig would love to share their photos.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/daves68droptopbird/sets/72157602364392289/

http://s274.photobucket.com/albums/jj249/68tpls400/67%20restoration/?albumview=slideshow

salmon 38, thank you for getting back with me, I appreciate it very much. Your detailed subassemblies is well thoughtout.
I have couple questions based on your outline.

1. In step 2 when installing the subassembly to the subframe horns and radiator support is the lower sheet metal in place tying both from fenders together? It would seem very hard to get the subassembly through the opening?

2. There is a hard plastic piece that protects the fender from the bumper. It appears that this must be screwed through the plastic, then the header panel and into the grill piece, before going on the car, as it is under the front fender when mounted? Is this correct?

The rest seems like the way to go, again thanks....Jim

dam1960, thank you for the photos. I had seen the gold conv. from looking on the site at different signatures. First time for the red one (nice car). Is Dave a member of the site, if so what is his member name, maybe I can ask a few questions.
Thanks....Jim

Yes, I went back and consulted my photos (not enough) and my journal (very detailed). The lower fender extensions were on, but only after that 1st subassembly was installed did I put on the center support brackets for the hood catch and hood release. Then I put on the lower center valance that ties the lower fender extenstions together. I also forgot to mention at this step, I attached the upper fender to radiator support gussets which the rubber gusset bushings are bolted to. I also installed the hood before the front bumper subassembly.



My bumper to fender fillers were rubber, not hard. And like the grills, I have not put them back on as my front end is on temporarily and must be removed for the eventual painting. Hopefully somebody will chime in for help with them. Although I am fairly certain that those items only attach to the bumper support brackets and NOT the plastic grills

Also, my notes showed that I tried to attached to lower bumper brackets to the bumper 1st, but that did not work as I had already installed the front turn signal lamps to the lower valance. I was able to mount the bumper myself bare to the upper header panel and the lower bumper brackets

Old disassembly photos show the rubber "gaskets" between the bumper and the fender to be attached to the lower bumper bracket at the bottom and perhaps the grills at the tops?

Sorry, the photos were cropped off at the top of the bumper.

They definitely look like they need to be installed to the bumper subassembly before that is mounted to the car.

salmon38, Thanks again for your posting. This has been a very big help in getting this car back together correctly. I'm in your debt. If I every learn how to post pics on here I will (I'm 66 and it takes me a little longer to learn each site and how they operate)....Jim

tape every area with a foam or something to prevent any chipping! the way i did it. is to assemble the grills to the bumper first. using the small brackets with a hole and rubber bushing mounted to the lower area of the bumper with the bolts. and the nubs on the grill inserted to the top metal panel. make sure the bumper bolts are in at the same time for the top panel to attach to the bumper. assemble the bumper brackets to the frame. then assemble the the light buckets(brackets) to the panel bracke attached to the bumper. attach the weird metal brackets( where the rubber fillers go around them) to the inside of the fenders. make sure the bumper brackets as assembled to the frame with the face vertically with the fender( eye ball them to see then adjust them later the front. they should be tilted up in the front bolt and down in the rear bolt looking from the side. the bumper bolts installed simultainiously with the grills should be slighty loose in place after bolted to the brackets then adjust every thing so it fits right then tighten them up. once they are right. install the bumper as a unit. let the bumper tilt down slightly that way you can install the rubber fillers around the metal brackets. (make sure it is protected so there is not scratches it is a close fit to the lower valence). this is going to be a tight fit to tighten the bolt. once it is installed, the lower part of the rubber is bolted to the bumber bolt on each side. after the bumper is adjusted to and gaped the way you want it. install the x fillers once it is all adjusted.

I've always found it easier to assemble the bumper with the brackets installed to it and then connect the bumber to the subframe.

X2

ho4spdtogo, thanks for the info and the great pics, you have a very nice car.
Triplethreat and colorado68, thanks to both of you for the info and the pics also, this is a great help.
Thanks guys, Jim

On the 2nd to last picture above (showing the bumper subassy), is the upper header panel bolted on to the bumber at this point?

I found it easier to do it the other way around. Header panel is on the car and the bumper assembly is slid under and then bolted to the header panel.