Hi All, Im new here. In return for all the greatfull things my father has given me, I plan to buy a new bumper for his 74'. His finances currently dont allow him to put purchase one. I remember a while back of him saying he would need braces or bolts as they usually break?
Thank-you for the help, I really appreciate it.
-Paul
74 to 82 urethane bumpers were held on using retainer strips. If memory serves me correctly, the 73-74 from bumper used 4 retainers, 1 curved one on each end and 2 staight ones across the top. These retainers were just stamped steel with threaded studs welded on every couple inches. With age and exposure to the elements, the nuts on the studs rust and bond to the studs. When you go to unbolt the bumpers, half the studs snap off.
If your replacing the bumper with another urethane one, you'll need to use retainer strips. The retainers are repro-ed, the 4 pieces needed run about $100.00. If your going with fiberglass bumpers, you can buy the "T" bolt set of retainers on the market (about $29.00 for the set, I think), or just use nuts bolts and washers. Either will work fine with the fiberglass bumpers, but with urethane ones you must use retainers to keep the urethane tight against the body and prevent waviness.
Purchase the 1974 Corvette Assembly Instruction Manual (AIM). The AIM shows how the cars were assembled on the line, lists illustrations, original part numbers, notes on assembly, torques, etc.
The AIM will show how the original bumper cover was installed at St. Louis.