Removal of front grill?

[Robbiedavis82]

Hi all this is my first post i have a 69 blue 3dr i am restoreing,just wondering whats the easiest way to remove the grill ive undone all bolts the grill is loose now ,but how does it come out what am i missing lol any help will be greatfull thanks rob.

[bmcecosse]

You need to remove the front panel and separate the two parts.

[Robbiedavis82]

The front panel ? Do you mean what is bolted the the front wing?

[chrisryder]

Presumably you're trying to get the slat assembly out of the main panels? With radiator out already?

I'm afraid it won't come out without separating the inner (radiator support) panel, and the front (external) panel.

To separate them you need to undo the hockey sticks (curved chrome finisher pieces) either side of the front panel assembly. 3 2BA nuts each side accessed from inside the wheelarches.

You also have to undo the 7 (i think) 1/4 inch nuts and bolts along the bottom edge of the front panel (where they join the enginebay floor). Also have to remove the front bumper to get the front panel to slide off - Only 2 nuts holding that on, but they're big, and often seized.

Then there's 4 more 1/4 inch nuts and bolts (2 a side) at the top where the panel joins the 'gutters' where the wings mount.

Final thing is to remove the split pin that holds the bonnet release rod to the L-shaped lever for the release mechanism.

With all that removed, you can pull the whole front off in one piece. The inner and outer panels are then only held together by 6 2BA nuts onto the back of the main chrome finisher strip. You may get away with not undoing them, as you've already got the slat assembly loose it might wiggle out if you just lever the two panels apart at the bottom edge.


If you're doing all this just to paint the grille slats, it's less work to just rub them down and paint them in situ...

[chrisryder]

Pictures are worth a thousand words...

Bumper off:



Front off:



Front separated:



Back together!

[Robbiedavis82]

Thanks fir the pictures helps a lot more ok not a quick job going to have a go tomorrow thanks for reply guys loveing that black grill finish it of nicely ;-)

[chrisryder]

Thanks. I bit the bullet and removed it to paint it, as I was changing colour. Wanted to ensure I got total coverage.

If I was just refreshing with the same colour, I'd have masked it and painted it in place.

[stag36587]

Absolutely agree -black grill looks particularly good with the smoke grey body.

[Robbiedavis82]

Is that a satin finish on that grill?

[chrisryder]

Is that a satin finish on that grill?

Not intentionally! Only rattle-can 'gloss'.

I keep telling myself that next time I have the front end apart I'll get the grille powder coated by the same place that did my wheels. Would be nice and glossy then!