Need Help adjusting mid year front bumper half

[Gary J.]

I just replace both halves of the front bumper on my 67. The chrome is fairly thick and I had a hard time getting them to fit into the inner brace assembly (the long brackets that attach to the center frame section under the car). Everything is great EXCEPT the right bumper is too high when looking from the front of the car, horizontal height about 1/2" - 3/4"too high.
I have tried to adjust by loosening the Center brace assembly (the one through the grill) but there is not much play on that brace when loosened.

Any ideas, I almost want to heat the inner brace assembly near where it passes under the radiator and push it downward to get the bumper to lower.

Second question, which direction are the bolts installed in the center brace assemby, these are the 4 long black phosphate bolts, the shop manual shows the head towards the outside of the car but the 67 assembly manual shows the heads near to the center of the car?
Thanks, Gary

[William C.]

Re: Need Help adjusting mid year front bumper half

Can't help on the 1st question. Bolt heads face the outside and the nuts are on the inside of the car.

[Bill W.]

Re: Need Help adjusting mid year front bumper half

I just replace both halves of the front bumper on my 67. The chrome is fairly thick and I had a hard time getting them to fit into the inner brace assembly (the long brackets that attach to the center frame section under the car). Everything is great EXCEPT the right bumper is too high when looking from the front of the car, horizontal height about 1/2" - 3/4"too high.
I have tried to adjust by loosening the Center brace assembly (the one through the grill) but there is not much play on that brace when loosened.

Any ideas, I almost want to heat the inner brace assembly near where it passes under the radiator and push it downward to get the bumper to lower.

Second question, which direction are the bolts installed in the center brace assemby, these are the 4 long black phosphate bolts, the shop manual shows the head towards the outside of the car but the 67 assembly manual shows the heads near to the center of the car?
Thanks, Gary

Gary,
I had the same problem after the chrome shop in Denver kept my perfect fitting originals and sent me crap. I made mine fit better (not perfect....just better) by using washers between the long brace and the frame. Add the washer under the front bolt, not the back. This had the effect of lowering the bumper. Adding a bolt under the back of the brace will raise the bumper. Good luck. Bill

[Gary J.]

Re: Need Help adjusting mid year front bumper half

Wiiliam & Bill :
Thanks for the information, I did install the bolts as you stated (lucky guess I had a 50/50 chance) and I'll try the washers tomorrow on the front bolt and see if that helps.
Gary

[Jim D.]

Re: Need Help adjusting mid year front bumper half

Can't help on the 1st question. Bolt heads face the outside and the nuts are on the inside of the car.

Did they change for 67? On 65's the heads are on the inside, nuts on the outside.

[Gene M.]

Re: Need Help adjusting mid year front bumper half

Did they change for 67? On 65's the heads are on the inside, nuts on the outside.

All the mid years have the bumper bolt thru the body have heads outside and nuts with washers on the inside of the bumper brackets.

The front lower bumper braces with the steel sleeve have the bolts installed from inside toward outside. So the nuts and washers are closer to the tire side.

[John H.]

Re: Need Help adjusting mid year front bumper half

Gary -

The heads on those four bolts are always on the inboard end, nuts on the outboard end. The Shop Manual photo is wrong, and the Assembly Manual illustration is correct.

[Jim D.]

Re: Need Help adjusting mid year front bumper half

Gary -

The heads on those four bolts are always on the inboard end, nuts on the outboard end. The Shop Manual photo is wrong, and the Assembly Manual illustration is correct.

Thanks for clearing this up John. I almost questioned the judging manual and my original car.

[William C.]

Re: Need Help adjusting mid year front bumper half

I stand corrected. Looks like I have 4 bolts to change.

[Mike M.]

Re: Need Help adjusting mid year front bumper half

Hi Gary
Don't forget the crush sleeves.
HaND

[Gary J.]

Re: Need Help adjusting mid year front bumper half

Thanks to all, this morning I changed the direction of the bolt heads, the crush sleeves are also in place. I tried the spacer on the fromt bolt of the brace and indeep it did give me that 1/2 inch I was looking for , I even put a 4' level on the bumper halves spanning across where the license plate is mounted. All center bubble. On to the next project.
Again thank you,Gary