[sicboy]

hi all,

I've got a weird question for you, I have a 75 formula 400 with a destroyed nose and bumper. I bought a 73 firebird nose off of ebay for a song, my question is are there special brackets to bolt this nose to the fenders, if not is all alignment done through the frame mounting brackets, or what????? This is a new project and soon as I get it unburied (finishing garage) I will be sure to post pics.

[Zippy]

Nose should replace fine. May be a bracket or 2 needed form the 73. AND I cant remember if the hood on a 75 will line up to the 73? I know from 77-81 they are the same, but not 100% on older?

OK, Looked at my books, looks like the hood is a go. So, not to much needed I dont think for the nose swap

[Alan70]

Make sure you support the top side like they did in 73.This helps in keeping the bumper from cracking as much.They are cross braces going to fendors to front end.You can see the one I made which they don't come on the 70 but added some home made ones and had them chromed,I also put a pic when they where black.They have some pre made out there but did not like them.This made a big diff after I installed them.Also make sure they put a good flex in paint or it will cause paint to go bad and you will find cracks everywhere.There might be some brakets to redo if I recall on under side as far as location I think.Good luck!

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[carrera4s]

I'm very interested in those braces you made Alan...
I've noticed my bumper is cracked as well and thought it had been caused by someone working around the car through the years...
I think I'll have to fabricate 2 for my T/A and see if it doesn't happen anymore ;)

[Alan70]

Let me know I will measure them up for you and get more detailed. The guy that painted the car told me it would help and so I did it. Also from other guys that have done this as well it has help keep cracks to a min on bumper. It mainly helps front end from flexing as much, thus keeping bumber from getting so out of place. Theres no cure for these bumbers but at least it helps.

This post has been edited by Alan70: 11 October 2008 - 11:30 PM

[carrera4s]

Alan70, on Oct 12 2008, 09:30 AM, said:

Let me know I will measure them up for you and get more detailed. The guy that painted the car told me it would help and so I did it. Also from other guys that have done this as well it has help keep cracks to a min on bumper. It mainly helps front end from flexing as much, thus keeping bumber from getting so out of place. Theres no cure for these bumbers but at least it helps.

Thanks for your helpfulness Alan ;)
The thing I really wanted to know was whether or not they completely solved the problem but you already answered ;)
As for making them, I'm trying to store as much information as possible for when I'll start working on the car...if you don't mind doing it, I'd really appreciate it if you could give me the measures...
One question: what you mean with putting some "flex" in the paint?? a particular substance not to make it crack??

[Alan70]

carrera4s, on Oct 13 2008, 12:49 PM, said:

Thanks for your helpfulness Alan ;)
The thing I really wanted to know was whether or not they completely solved the problem but you already answered ;)
As for making them, I'm trying to store as much information as possible for when I'll start working on the car...if you don't mind doing it, I'd really appreciate it if you could give me the measures...
One question: what you mean with putting some "flex" in the paint?? a particular substance not to make it crack??

I don't mind giving you the info on measurements will get to it soon.As far as the paint they mix in a flex additive with the paint so when that rubber moves so does the paint.It is like twisting something and paint stays on and does not crack.The guy had to actually paint it twice because he tried a new style paint and it did not work so he went back to adding this additive in and it has had no issues.

[sicboy]

Hey guys thanks for the help, you guys rock...Hey Alan would you be intereste din fabbing up a set of those anti-flex bars for me....I will be more than happy to pay you for them.....as long as they arent like a million bucks a pair. Or at least send measurments fo them to me, also what material did you use???? Maybe conduit(polished) or what???

[Alan70]

I will get you the measurements. They are easy to make out of flat metal and you can paint them or chrome them. Now you could use aluminum maynot be as strong but you will need to drill three holes at top of bracket and two at the front. In the top you will need to tap the holes when you drill into fendor so your screws will hold.I Also cleaned up the ends of each peice to fit under front part of fendor.But if this will not work for you I can fab some up for you and it will not cost all that much except if you wanted them chromed.I will down load some pics of close up here shortly.

[Alan70]

I put a pic of a drawing but you can't see part under lip but if you look at car you will see this lip and why you have to angle metal at front.One side is 24 1/2 and the other side is 24 long of coarse one right and one left. By two inches wide by 3/16 thick. You also want to use nice bolts and screws I used stainless and buff them all out.I will get better pics if needed,but you can get the Idea from these.The lip from metal goes under fendor thus looking as it was cut that way.

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This post has been edited by Alan70: 16 October 2008 - 11:49 AM

[carrera4s]

:30thankyoublink:

Alan you rock!!!

Thanks a lot!!!!

I really appreciate that ;)
:30thankyoublink:

This post has been edited by carrera4s: 19 October 2008 - 01:25 PM

[Alan70]

Your welcome!!!!

[72 blackbird]

Alan,
Just an interesting observation- my radiator support is stamped with indentations to allow the fender braces to mount on top. My guess is that someone may have swapped it out with a later model. I also have LH and RH OEM braces which are different thicknesses, not year what year each was made but the weight difference is significant.

Geno

[Alan70]

72 and up had these braces and the indentations where there on the radiator support. Here is a pic from the book that I could find.Yes there was other reasons for extra supports,but mine was more for keeping the bumper from flexing as much and has worked plus gives support also.I am sure the factory ones are differant in how they are made, this was something I came up with for my car.

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[WarbirdTA]

Alan,
Those braces don't help your bumper from flexing at all, they aren't near enough to your car's nose.
In 1973, there were more front bumper support made of metal (and weighed a ton more) that helped keep the nose from flexing.
Also, those braces came out in 1973, as part of the 5 mph rule GM had to come up with at the time.
For the 1973 year, these braces go all the way pass the radator support, up to the nose, with a hole to bolt them over the nose support.
1974 and up braces are cut right at the front of the core support.
1974 braces are thicker than the 1975 braces.
1976's didn't even have them.
1977 and up, changed the style of the braces, and they can be bent very easily.

Hope this helps,

George :B):

[Alan70]

WarbirdTA, on Oct 31 2008, 11:20 AM, said:

Alan,
Those braces don't help your bumper from flexing at all, they aren't near enough to your car's nose.
In 1973, there were more front bumper support made of metal (and weighed a ton more) that helped keep the nose from flexing.
Also, those braces came out in 1973, as part of the 5 mph rule GM had to come up with at the time.
For the 1973 year, these braces go all the way pass the radator support, up to the nose, with a hole to bolt them over the nose support.
1974 and up braces are cut right at the front of the core support.
1974 braces are thicker than the 1975 braces.
1976's didn't even have them.
1977 and up, changed the style of the braces, and they can be bent very easily.

Hope this helps,

George :B):

Well Like I said I did a test on car and have had good success with them.Maybe it stiffens up the body thus keeping bumber from flexing as much.Alls I know is that It has stood up well since I got it painted and put these braces on.Compared to others I seen that don't have them.Ok it was done in 72 and not sold till 73 as I read article further.It is real simple to install them and take them off, so if someone else wants to try them,Go for it or not, the pics are there and I know what it has done for my car. Hopes this explains it more.