I've been messing around with this darn bumper/valance/bonnet alignment on
and off for about a week. Everything was starting to line up better as I
messed around with it more. However, the passenger side valance just
wouldn't adjust low enough to avoid contact with the bonnet. Finally, I
realized the bracket (see pic in link below) attaching the valance to the
frame was upside down. It has slots for adjustment. One side of the
bracket has vertical slots the other side has horizontal slots. The
horizontal slots were at the top making it impossible to lower the valance
to where it needed to be. Once I flipped it over everything finally fell
into alignment. By the way, the driver side bracket was correct, but I
didn't notice it until I realized the passenger side was wrong. Thanks
everyone for the help and encouragement.
https://picasaweb.google.com/112760723054893641051/72Spitfire#57477945439817
77938
David Gates
'72 Spitfire
Shelton, WA
-----Original Message-----
From: spitfires-bounces@autox.team.net
[mailto:spitfires-bounces@autox.team.net] On Behalf Of Berger Bob
Sent: Tuesday, May 22, 2012 8:24 PM
To: Spitfire Group
Subject: Re: [Spits] Front Bumper
The valances have a bracket that connects them to the frame with 4 bolts - 2
into the frame and 2 into the valance. Each of the bolt holes in the bracket
are slotted for lots of movement in every direction.
The corner of the valance closest to the wheel controls the location of the
ends of the bumper.
After you remove the bumper to check if it is flat but before you put it
back on is the time to adjust the valances.
1st step is to make sure you have good gaps between the hood and the body.
These get adjusted at the hood hinge bolts.
Next loosen all 4 of the bolts that hold the valance on - just loose enough
that you can move the valance but not floppy loose.
Then, with the hood closed, move the valances so that the seal along the top
is just touching the underside of the hood along the whole length. When
happy tighten the 4 bolts back up.
Reinstall the bumper.
I had to do this after poor assembly by a body shop.
Bob Berger
St. Louis
78 Spitfire owned since '90
On May 22, 2012, at 9:46 AM, "David" <popeye444@comcast.net> wrote:
> 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
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