jmackro
Well-Known Member
I am nearing the completion of the metalwork on my 2800 CS. This is a car that I have owned for 19 years, and was together and on the road up until this summer. When I got the paint off of it, there was evidence of one or more front end collisions, so the bumper assembly has no doubt been "tweaked".
The specific problem I am trying to solve is the large (about 1/4") vertical gaps between the overrider and bumper. I have a gap at both the top and bottom of the overrider-bumper. Yes, we are doing the trial fit with the thick rubber pad mounted to the front of the bumper, and the "U" shaped channels wrapped around the overrider edges where they come in contact with the bumper. No, the overriders have not gotten swapped L-R or up-down. I honestly can't recall how large this gap was before disassembling the car - I would think I would have noticed if it were this large.
Either the "C" -shaped cross section of the bumper has been flattened, or the corresponding section of the overriders have been expanded (or both!). If the overriders were impacted from the front, they would probably open up. Dunno what might cause the bumper to be flattened, but over 38 years, anything is possible.
My questions for the group are:
- If my overrider measures 5-1/2" (140mm) from top to bottom at its midline (see 3rd photo below), is that greater than stock?
- If my outer bumper measures 4-1.4" (108mm) from top to bottom behind the overrider, is that smaller than stock.
- Note that in the fourth photo below, where I compare my two front overriders, one is more opened up than the other. Is this the normal manufacturing tolerance, or has one definitely become bent?
- I know that a rubber "U" channel wraps around the overrider, and hides some of this gap. But, are big gaps typical in this area?
The final photo will give you an idea of what the car looks like at present. We are about to begin painting, and then it's reassembly time.
Thanks!
The specific problem I am trying to solve is the large (about 1/4") vertical gaps between the overrider and bumper. I have a gap at both the top and bottom of the overrider-bumper. Yes, we are doing the trial fit with the thick rubber pad mounted to the front of the bumper, and the "U" shaped channels wrapped around the overrider edges where they come in contact with the bumper. No, the overriders have not gotten swapped L-R or up-down. I honestly can't recall how large this gap was before disassembling the car - I would think I would have noticed if it were this large.
Either the "C" -shaped cross section of the bumper has been flattened, or the corresponding section of the overriders have been expanded (or both!). If the overriders were impacted from the front, they would probably open up. Dunno what might cause the bumper to be flattened, but over 38 years, anything is possible.
My questions for the group are:
- If my overrider measures 5-1/2" (140mm) from top to bottom at its midline (see 3rd photo below), is that greater than stock?
- If my outer bumper measures 4-1.4" (108mm) from top to bottom behind the overrider, is that smaller than stock.
- Note that in the fourth photo below, where I compare my two front overriders, one is more opened up than the other. Is this the normal manufacturing tolerance, or has one definitely become bent?
- I know that a rubber "U" channel wraps around the overrider, and hides some of this gap. But, are big gaps typical in this area?
The final photo will give you an idea of what the car looks like at present. We are about to begin painting, and then it's reassembly time.
Thanks!
