[Spits] Front Bumper

[David]

Thanks everyone.  Good insights.

I'll remove the bumper and check for straightness.  Visually (still on the
car) it looks good.  But I'll check it off the car too.

My concern about trying to lower the bonnet in the front is that it is
already touching the front valance on the passenger side.  That valance
doesn't seem to have much/any adjustment in it.  Perhaps I'll remove the
valance, lower the bonnet in the front and then see what it will take to get
the valance back on and line up.  I can always create some custom brackets
to get the valance to go back on right, but doing that would seem to
indicate I'm compensating for a misalignment or unobvious accident damage
somewhere else.

As for frame damage, that was actually my first thought but I dismissed it
after looking closely at it.  I couldn't see any obvious signs of bending or
distortion.  Does anyone have any measurements as reference that might tell
me if the frame is out of whack.  I suspect the problems are a result of a
complete disassembly and then not being correctly reassembled rather than
accident damage, but who knows.

Doug - This Spit came with the license plate frame, so I'm not sure where to
get one.  Although, I did have a previous Spit with one just like it so they
may be available somewhere. . .  Actually, I just checked ebay, but it's
kinda spendy.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Spitfire-license-plate-holder-601100201-/31022423888
1

Dave

-----Original Message-----
From: spitfires-bounces at autox.team.net
[mailto:spitfires-bounces at autox.team.net] On Behalf Of Doug Braun
Sent: Tuesday, May 22, 2012 6:33 AM
To: Mack, Michael (Rochester); Spitfire Group
Subject: Re: [Spits] Front Bumper

The car may have been hit once upon a time.  The entire package of bumpers,
front cross-member, and valences might be twisted downwards.

Just last week I took apart the front endof my car in preparation for a
paint job.  Speaking from experience, you may be surprised at what you
find...

BTW, where can  I get one of those nice front license plate surrounds that
fits up against the bumper.?  For the entire 20+ years I have owned my car,
the front bumper has been held on by a pair of hardware-store angle
brackets.

Doug Braun
'72 Spit


On Tue, May 22, 2012 at 8:53 AM, Mack, Michael (Rochester) <
Michael.Mack at redcross.org> wrote:

> David,
>
> It might be multiple mis-alignment issues adding up to that gap in the 
> front.
> I think they used the same bumpers from 1971-78.
> I'd start by removing the front bumper.  Then lay it upside down on a 
> flat surface.  Is it flat to the floor all along the bumpers top 
> surface?  If not, there's your issue, a bent bumper.  Or, maybe your 
> Bonnet nose isn't right.
> There should be some room in the bolts to lower the front end of the 
> bonnet
>
> Mike Mack
> 79 Spitfire w/OD, Euro HS4 SUs, roller rockers, 4-2-1 exhaust, Double 
> hoop rollbar
> 70 GT6
> 73 Stag
> 80 TR8
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