68 Standard Grille Install

PhantomRider · Jun 12, 2015

Hey Fellas, searched all over site and google and referenced AIM.
Getting ready to install grille, but sure from looking in AIM the order of parts.

Does the upper and lower trim fasten to grille with the nuts before installing onto car, or does the trim studs go up through upper and lower valance then get fastened down with the nuts?

My lower cowl valance is off now, should it be installed first then attach the grille, figured it might be easier to install after upper part of grille is on IF it goes through upper and lower ??

Tryi ng to avoid scratching paint if grille assembly slides over and into the holes then gets nutted down.

thanks for any help or pics to help me understand, the AIM has me a lil confused and I did not remove the grille assembly originally. :beers:

Vintage 68 · Jun 12, 2015

The original grille and trim parts were riveted together off line prior to installation.
So that is how I did my 67 when reassembling it - a 68 would be essentially the same ...
I had already assemble the sheet metal to check alignment and fit, so I just left it in place and installed grille and other parts.

My 68 still has it's original grille and parts in place, but I've looked at it and the assembly looks nearly the same as my 67 was.

PhantomRider · Jun 12, 2015

I know the 68 does not use rivets, it has screws and nuts, the RS models I believe were rivited.

From the AIM, it looks like the upper grille is bolted through header panel using the studs from the upper trim, then nutted, but hard to tell. Then on next page looks like lower trim is assembled but shows a upper and lower bottom trim piece from drawing, but I can't tell if these are two seperate peices or same bottom trim assembly or I am missing a piece. The not sure if bottom cowl bolts all along bottom of grille as the top or just a few spots, the AIM leaves a lot to be desired.

ckaram · Jun 13, 2015

I just installed mine 2 months ago. Bottom trim attached to the grill prior to installation. PhantomRider is correct about upper trim. Pic of old and new and mid-install.

daven1256 · Jun 15, 2015

Here is a sketch I made for my own reference while fitting and installing my grill. Pay no attention to all the little notes scribbled all over it.

Just to go over what the others have said. The studs on the upper molding pass through the top of the grill center and then pass through holes in the header with a nut on the back.

The studs on the lower molding pass through the grille center only with a nut on the back. They do not play a role in fastening the grille center to the lower valance. There are clip nuts ( not sure if the right terminology) on the mounting holes on the bottom of the grille center. A screw goes through the lower valence an into the clip nut.

You should try mounting the lower molding to the grille center before installing the grille center. You'll have better access for getting the nuts on the molding studs. I put my lower molding on after the grill center was installed. I was able to get the nuts on the studs but it was a pain.

Dave

PhantomRider · Jun 15, 2015

Thanks fellas, I got her put on this weekend. Luckily all my grille, trim pieces and headlight benzels where all NOS GM parts bought back in the 80's so no issues with stuff not lining up.

Attaching the lower valance by yourself was a lil hard by yerself, but it was also a GM piece and I eventually got it. :beers:

Exterior is about done, need to hang front bumper and that's it for the outside.

Then finish running duct work for Classic Air, wireing for console guages, install dash and dash pad, carpet, seats, door trim and the ol girl will finally be done. :beers:

68 Standard Grille Install

PhantomRider

Vintage 68

PhantomRider

ckaram

daven1256

PhantomRider

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