Are aluminum bumpers helic-arced in the center?

[Dean_T]

Today I picked up an elusive aluminum front bumper from a 11/78 built Mustang. One problem I noticed was it looked like some one took two ends and "welded" it together in the center to make a bumper. Is this normal? Any one who's found one noted the weld bead in the center of his or her front bumper?

Oh, the rear bumper was steel, it and the rear floor pan was rusted so bad flakes were falling!

Thanks in advance,

Dean T

[v8only]

Nope, my alum 79 front bumper is one piece, smooth, with no obvious cut and weld signs. I could, of course take a picture if you want. Do you have any pics?

[Dean_T]

No pics yet, I'll try tomorrow after work. It was a salvage part since someone wrote " 70-83 Must frt" in yellow paint. Uh-oh, maybe this won't work on an '84...

Dean T

[v8only]

ok man, give me ten minutes, I'll post pics

[v8only]

did you physically unbolt it from a mustang? if so, it should work.

Here is mine. If your's doesn't look like this, you probably don't have the same thing. This is DEF from a 79 stang.

http://www.50stangs.com/picturehosting/jeremy/alumbumper.JPG

http://www.50stangs.com/picturehosting/jeremy/alumbumper2.JPG

[Dean_T]

Okay, here are my pics. Note the back side, the weld can be seen the best. The front has been ground down flat.

Front:

http://www.foureyedpride.com/phpBB2/album_pic.php?pic_id=4612

Front close up:

http://www.foureyedpride.com/phpBB2/album_pic.php?pic_id=4613

Back:

http://www.foureyedpride.com/phpBB2/album_pic.php?pic_id=4611

It came off a 11/78 built Mustang but who know where it really came from originally...

Interesting, Huh?

Dean T

[v8only]

is that a crack I see above the weld on the last pic? def most interesting. Mine is not like that/ probably someone repaired yours at one time from an accident. regardless, looks just like mine. I'm sure it'll fit fine.

[Dean_T]

Yup, it's a crack which may not be possible to heli arc if there's a lot of corrosion. Any tips on how to remove the old bumper and install the aluminum piece the correct way? I was working on a busted/mangled Mustang and rather not break the nose of my '84.

Thanks!

Dean T

[anthonydalrymple]

No real big "tips" needed; simply take your time & clear your schedule for an afternoon. You will have to remove the entire front bumper cover assembly, remove the bumper, mount the aluminum unit, transfer the turn signal lamp assemblies from the steel bumper to the aluminum unit, & then reinstall the front cover. The only thing you don't want to do is try to "sneak" the old bumper out without removing the entire front cover assembly; it's not worth the trouble & headache....

P.S. There is a considerable amount of corrosion on that bumper. I'm afraid the only way that's going to get Tig welded is if you have it acid dipped first.....

[5 Liter Mustang]

Okay, here are my pics. Note the back side, the weld can be seen the best. The front has been ground down flat.

Front:

http://www.foureyedpride.com/phpBB2/album_pic.php?pic_id=4612

Front close up:

http://www.foureyedpride.com/phpBB2/album_pic.php?pic_id=4613

Back:

http://www.foureyedpride.com/phpBB2/album_pic.php?pic_id=4611

It came off a 11/78 built Mustang but who know where it really came from originally...

Interesting, Huh?

Dean T

i didn't know they came painted black, either...

all this time i've been looking for bare aluminum ones. now i need to look a little more closely

[anthonydalrymple]

i didn't know they came painted black, either...

all this time i've been looking for bare aluminum ones. now i need to look a little more closely

They are always raw aluminum; someone painted it black. Probably after it was repaired or by the shop\junkyard that labeled it for identification.....

Use a telescoping magnet to tell if the bumper is steel or not!

[Marz]

i didn't know they came painted black, either...

all this time i've been looking for bare aluminum ones. now i need to look a little more closely

They are always ram aluminum; someone painted it black. Probably after it was repaired or by the shop\junkyard that labeled it for identification.....

Use a telescoping magnet to tell if the bumper is steel or not!

just make sure the magnet your using isn't for both Aluminum and Steel.

:lol:

[anthonydalrymple]

just make sure the magnet your using isn't for both Aluminum and Steel.

:lol:

Whaaaaa? Joke or what? :fried:

[5 Liter Mustang]

they make magnets for aluminum?

[anthonydalrymple]

they make magnets for aluminum?

Kinda what I was thinking...
Maybe I'm too drunk to comprehend the joke or there's a non-ferrious magnet out there I've never heard of!;)

[Dean_T]

Jasen, you're killing us!

The only way I could tell it was aluminum without a magnet was first the knife shave test. Shaving aluminum stock feels a little different than shaving steel. Then a close look for any signs of rust. I'm going to throw a cheap magnet in my wrecking yard tool box though.

Oh, do the head light assembly need to be removed also? The car I took the bumper off of the top part was riveted to the headlight assy, or maybe I didn't look at it closely.

Also, the upper bolts near the top of the fenders don't seem to be too easily reached. Must I remove the inner fender plastic water shield?

Boy, I'd sure hate to wreck my '84 now that I'm on track in putting it together! LOL

Dean T

[Marz]

Dean... You got lucky with that bumper....

There is a rare type of Aluminum (Al) Called "Frigus Alumen." This rare type of Al is naturally COLD... right down there with Dry Ice temperatures (ok... dry ice really isn't that cold compared to liquid helium)! Frigus Alumen has sometimes been known to intersect Al Veins... though this is rare.



:D

:lol:

[anthonydalrymple]

[quote=Dean_T]Jasen, you're killing us!

True....;)

I'm going to throw a cheap magnet in my wrecking yard tool box though.

The cheap telescoping unit's work best. Extend it out about 6"-12", reach up underneath the cover, & see it it "sticks". I also check the t-birds & mustangs for the aluminum mounting brackets.....

Oh, do the head light assembly need to be removed also?

No


Also, the upper bolts near the top of the fenders don't seem to be too easily reached. Must I remove the inner fender plastic water shield?

Yes. At least at the front of the fenderwell. Remove the whole liner for less struggle & cussing...;)

Boy, I'd sure hate to wreck my '84 now that I'm on track in putting it together! LOL

Then don't ever lift a wrench nor do anything else again in life. You may risk screwing up & learning something....;)