40 Deluxe Grille Problem

J

jjarvi

Junior Member
Hello Barners,
I need a little help. I was out in the barn working on the 40 tonight and the hood ended up closing (falling). I had a trouble light hanging from the hood and when the hood closed the light got crushed between the hood and the top of the grille on the passenger's side. I was surprised that the top grille bar only bent instead of cracking. I believe it to be an original grille.(cast not stamped)
I'm pretty disgusted with myself because now with the hood closed there is a big gap on the passenger side between the hood and grille. I can pull it up to the normal position with little effort but it has a set and returns to the bent position. I had to remove myself from the barn before I did more damage to my beautiful car.

Anyone have suggestions on straightening this?
 
I guess I would try to put a straight piece of metal to bridge across the bowed piece with spacers at each end and using a small "C" clamp, SLOWLY pull it up, past where it needs to be so it can spring back a little. You might try using a heat gun to warm up the aluminum or pot metal while trying to move it. There is a web there that is going to try to prevent it from moving if it is the top piece. Good luck. Worth a try but it may be cracked already.
 
I've had luck in similar situations using wood wedges. Went to Building suppy store and bought a pack of door shims. They are wedge shaped and come in a pack of 6 or so. Buy a couple packs and place the wedges between the grill bars. Start low and work up to the top. If you put a wedge just on the bent one it's gonna try to push the one under it down ,that's why start low and go up. When you get to the bent one you can start applying pressure by pushing the wedge in. If you have a good heat gun it would help to warm it some but don't use a torch to heat it. With some patience you can coax it back in shape.
 
Thanks to both respondents - I appreciate the help! Both are good ideas. I'll let you know how it works out.
 
Depending on how close to the front it bent, the vertical web may also be bent. If so, straighten that first. It will correct a lot of the bend in the top.
 
I have straightened lots of bent diecast off the car by putting the part in a house oven, preheat to 350 degrees, put the part in the oven for 10 minutes and remove to straighten. If a badly bent piece, repeat procedure a few times as needed. To straighten your grille bar on the car I agree use the heat gun. As also suggested use a straight edge on top of the bent area so you don't go too far, don't try to get all the bend out with the first heating cycle. The wood wedges sound like a good idea too as long as you are getting movement of the top bar and not bending the one below. Good luck. Most survivor 40 DLX car top grille bars have been bent by mechanics and owners leaning on the grille while working in the engine bay, I've caught myself doing it.
 
Ken/Alabama said:
I've had luck in similar situations using wood wedges. Went to Building suppy store and bought a pack of door shims. They are wedge shaped and come in a pack of 6 or so. Buy a couple packs and place the wedges between the grill bars. Start low and work up to the top. If you put a wedge just on the bent one it's gonna try to push the one under it down ,that's why start low and go up. When you get to the bent one you can start applying pressure by pushing the wedge in. If you have a good heat gun it would help to warm it some but don't use a torch to heat it. With some patience you can coax it back in shape.
Click to expand...

Ken,
I finally decided to straighten the bent grille piece. When I got into it I found that the top two pieces where bent. I used your suggestion and it worked. When I pulled the shims on the last try it wasn't perfect but I'm the only one who will probably notice. I decided to leave it alone and not push my luck too far!
Thanks for the advice you wise owl!
 
jjarvi said:
Ken,
I finally decided to straighten the bent grille piece. When I got into it I found that the top two pieces where bent. I used your suggestion and it worked. When I pulled the shims on the last try it wasn't perfect but I'm the only one who will probably notice. I decided to leave it alone and not push my luck too far!
Thanks for the advice you wise owl!
Click to expand...

Hey thats good news!
 
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