ConcoursMustang Forums
1st Generation 1964 1/2 - 1973 - Questions & general discussions that apply to a specific year => 1966 Mustang => Topic started by: socalgt on August 31, 2017, 06:34:55 PM
-
I know there are a lot of problems getting the rear bumper to align nicely with the body. Sometimes the problem is the reproduction bumper and/or brackets. My bumper was not aligned well...the bumper was a repro and so were the brackets. I found an original set of brackets, straightened them and restored them. I used them with no additional washers, just the wavy washers installed between the bumper and brackets(one at each location) and the bumper fit perfectly. In my case it was the repro mounting brackets that were the problem. Thought I'd share this as I know how many cars have misaligned rear bumpers and how time consuming it can be to try to correct it.
-
A long standing rule of mine is to not mix repro parts together. I've run into the same issue way in the past when mixing repro bumper brackets with a repro bumper. You'll have the same issue with the front bumper... stick with OEM brackets.
-
On my '65 I used the best repro bumper from NPD (Golden Legion)....as the bumper on my '65 was already a dented much older offshore Repro and had other issues and I was actually surprised by the quality of the New NPD Repro bumper. It actually exceeded my expectations believe it or not..Now I know why Rick@NPD carries them. I used it with a pair of the Original Bumper Brackets and all was well. I used a Factory Assembly manual for a Guide to the installation and quickly realized that the 4 Metal "U" Spacers included in the AMK kit made the bumper stick out way to far...so I omitted them. I used only the Wave Washers and made some adjustments and all the gaps matched up perfectly with my '66 Convertible which is a pretty Original untouched car and has all Original Ford Assembly line bumpers from new. I was more than happy.
:o)
Tony K.
-
I know there are a lot of problems getting the rear bumper to align nicely with the body. Sometimes the problem is the reproduction bumper and/or brackets. My bumper was not aligned well...the bumper was a repro and so were the brackets. I found an original set of brackets, straightened them and restored them. I used them with no additional washers, just the wavy washers installed between the bumper and brackets(one at each location) and the bumper fit perfectly. In my case it was the repro mounting brackets that were the problem. Thought I'd share this as I know how many cars have misaligned rear bumpers and how time consuming it can be to try to correct it.
Any pictures of your restoration of the rear bumper mounts?
-
Any pictures of your restoration of the rear bumper mounts?
Does anyone have a good picture of the rear bumper mounts and install? I am trying to figure out which way the bumper brackets, along with the washers, and wave washers attach. Is picture 1 or Picture 2 correct? BTW, I have no idea what a wave washer is for. haha. And my exploded view manual doesn't show this level of detail very well.
Help!
-
From a purely mechanical viewpoint, picture #1 is correct.
-
I made some adjustments after studying Page 70-71 of Motorbooks Workshop Mustang 1964 1/2 - 1973 Restoration Guide and this is what I believe to be correct.
-
I made some adjustments after studying Page 70-71 of Motorbooks Workshop Mustang 1964 1/2 - 1973 Restoration Guide and this is what I believe to be correct.
Never found shims used on the rear bumper (anywhere) on originals so IMHO neither is "correct"
Hiding them in between the bumper and bracket would likely be the least noticed if someone were to look. Guess if you had enough sealant they could be hidden if done as your last picture (reply #6) was done
-
Never found shims used on the rear bumper (anywhere) on originals so IMHO neither is "correct"
Hiding them in between the bumper and bracket would likely be the least noticed if someone were to look. Guess if you had enough sealant they could be hidden if done as your last picture (reply #6) was done
Hi Jeff,
Thanks for the comment. I ordered a concours-correct rear bolt kit (link below) and it came with shims. Someone on another forum mentioned that shims are used "as needed" to get the alignment right on the rear bumper. Once I install the bumper I may remove the shims. Thanks
https://www.npdlink.com/store/?p=catalog&mode=newsearch&search_str=17A750-1AK&parent=1&year=1966
-
which of the above pix duplicates the assembly manual?
-
which of the above pix duplicates the assembly manual?
Believe reply #6 without the shims is closest to what was typically done at the plants if that is what your asking
-
in reply #6 picture, what is in between the black bracket and the bumper? i see one wave washer. what is the other? a flat or wave washer?
-
in reply #6 picture, what is in between the black bracket and the bumper? i see one wave washer. what is the other? a flat or wave washer?
I see (believe that this is what is installed) one wave washer between the bracket and the bumper at each attaching bolt.
Way I have found them on unrestored cars
-
in reply #6 picture, what is in between the black bracket and the bumper? i see one wave washer. what is the other?
The book refers to a shim (LA-3043-A or -B, qty A/R) being used to align the bumper (if too close to the body, or angled incorrectly). I've got several off salvaged cars and used a couple to, well, align the bumper (accidents need "special attention").
Jim
-
+1
Have seen the u shaped shims used between the bracket and the car body to move the bumper out if needed to match QP extensions. Not on all cars.
-
Does anyone have a good picture of the rear bumper mounts and install? I am trying to figure out which way the bumper brackets, along with the washers, and wave washers attach. Is picture 1 or Picture 2 correct? BTW, I have no idea what a wave washer is for. haha. And my exploded view manual doesn't show this level of detail very well.
Help!
I just replaced my bumper with a reproduction. Restored the original brackets and also used the concours kit without the spacers.Fit great. The wave washer goes between the bumper and bracket. Wave washers have allot of different reasons for use however in this application I believe its to compensate for the square shoulder of the bolt thus allowing you to tighten the nut.
-
"Never found shims used on the rear bumper (anywhere) on originals so IMHO neither is "correct". "
+1
Lose the Shims....
The shims will throw everything off. Just use the Wave washers Only. Also make sure that your bumper brackets are straight and in good shape as they will affect everything as well....and you should be AOK.
:o)
Tony K.
-
(Here are pictures of the elusive rear bumper shims that don't exist and have never been seen - F3.1 aperture, 1/30 second - except during a full moon. I got these from a Mustang wrecking yard. They had to be on a car at one time or another.)
Jim
-
Most of those shims look new like they have never been installed and the others look like they oxidized sitting at the bottom of a box, not installed on a car...Strange. They look like they came more from a Ford Service Parts box than a vehicle... That's probably why they were all found together..
:o)
Tony K.
-
Most of those shims look new like they have never been installed and the others look like they oxidized sitting at the bottom of a box, not installed on a car...Strange. They look like they came more from a Ford Service Parts box than a vehicle... That's probably why they were all found together..
:o)
Tony K.
No, they came from box "D08" under part number "LA-3043-B", so thanks for the compliment. All sizes I've refinished are in the same location for convenience of use. They were tumbled, bead blasted, plated and then inventoried.
Jim
-
"They were tumbled, bead blasted, plated and then inventoried.
Jim "
Well, That sure does explain some things!
:o)
Tony K.
-
I'm attempting to line up my rear bumper.
I have a 1979 Ford service replacement that was on the car for years, but does not fit well. It was never hit as far as I know, but it seems bent more than it should be.
Just for comparison, I bought a repro from Virginia Classic, that's described as the best fitting currently available. It definitely fits better than the service part, but to get it lined up as close to the way i think it should be, I needed to leave the wave washer out of the bottom two bumper to bracket holes, and put two of the shims Jim shows on the top bracket to body bolts, resulting in the attached pictures. the brackets are the originals, but the whole back half of the car is NOS sheet metal.
Is that the way it should look? Anyone have any good pictures of that area? I spent some time in the unrestored forum, but it seems a lot of those bumpers may have been tapped at one time or another.
-
No shims. OE brackets and wave washers, Brian