ConcoursMustang Forums

1st Generation 1964 1/2 - 1973 - Questions & general discussions that apply to a specific year => 1969 Mustang => Topic started by: CCP on May 16, 2017, 11:39:30 AM

Title: 1969 Mach 1 grille surround
Post by: CCP on May 16, 2017, 11:39:30 AM

Trying to replace the outer grille surround mouldings. Wow, not much room to get at the retaining clip nuts!
 Is it necessary/easier to remove the headlight buckets?
  Thanks, any advice or past experience would be greatly appreciated.


             Pete.

Title: Re: 1969 Mach 1 grille surround
Post by: Armond on May 16, 2017, 04:49:31 PM

Those moldings were installed before the headlight bucket was mounted to the fender.  I have never tried to R&R them with the buckets still attached to the fenders.  I don't think to do it properly, it would be possible.  Good Luck!

Title: Re: 1969 Mach 1 grille surround
Post by: CCP on May 17, 2017, 11:07:51 AM

Hmm..ok thanks. Next question; is removing the headlight buckets a big job? LOL.

Title: Re: 1969 Mach 1 grille surround
Post by: J_Speegle on May 18, 2017, 04:58:58 PM

Quote from: CCP on May 17, 2017, 11:07:51 AM

Hmm..ok thanks. Next question; is removing the headlight buckets a big job? LOL.

If the car is completely together - I would say its a pretty involved task. Lots of things to detach, lots of things to ding into as you remove and reinstall

Title: Re: 1969 Mach 1 grille surround
Post by: CCP on May 19, 2017, 12:50:46 PM

Got them off, what a battle. Is there a different  style clip/retainer I could substitute. A push in or similar type?
           Thanks again.


          Pete.

Title: Re: 1969 Mach 1 grille surround
Post by: J_Speegle on May 19, 2017, 03:53:39 PM

Quote from: CCP on May 19, 2017, 12:50:46 PM

Got them off, what a battle. Is there a different  style clip/retainer I could substitute. A push in or similar type?

Don't know a direct replacement - sure there is in all the thousands of plastic ones available but you have them off now I would just go with factory and be done with it

Title: Re: 1969 Mach 1 grille surround
Post by: dieseldave on May 20, 2017, 09:28:56 PM

I cut down a 11/32nds deep socket to 1 7/8" long and used 1/4" drive wobble extensions. Still took me hours to install 2 nuts. I too did it on the car after the paint. I never thought to install the mouldings before installing the fenders.

Title: Re: 1969 Mach 1 grille surround
Post by: J_Speegle on May 20, 2017, 11:00:24 PM

Quote from: dieseldave on May 20, 2017, 09:28:56 PM

I cut down a 11/32nds deep socket to 1 7/8" long and used 1/4" drive wobble extensions. Still took me hours to install 2 nuts. I too did it on the car after the paint. I never thought to install the mouldings before installing the fenders.

Your not the only one that did it that way  ::)

Title: Re: 1969 Mach 1 grille surround
Post by: CCP on May 23, 2017, 09:16:54 AM

Thanks for the input guys! I already have a bunch of 'custom' tools, so what's a few more.
 Sounds like it's time consuming, but i'm sure it can be done.