73-87chevytrucks.com
73-87 Chevy _ GMC Trucks => Body, Glass & Paint => Topic started by: LTZ C20 on May 15, 2014, 01:13:56 am
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Hey all. Just wanted to share with you all my sweet find from today. Was browsing the ole interwebs and found on Craigslist an OEM grille. It's from a 79 Chevy, it is in one piece and still retains the "350" badge. It is sun faded, has some cracks and needs to be cleaned up. Does need the bow-tie tho.
So I plan on fixing the cracks, washing it, somehow trying to see if I can make it less brittle and most likely painting it. Thought about trying that chrome in a can too. Only about 10 bucks I think so worth a shot or maybe some nice hi gloss light grey or silver.
Here's the cool part. I only paid TWENTY-FIVE bucks for this thing! Only $25 whole dollars. Hahaha. I was like a blind dog in a meat shed.
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The cracks
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The emblem
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The backside
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Congrats on the find!! I've been looking for one for my 87. I would so like to find one!! Even better if it was $25!!:):)
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I am pretty sure only 73 - 74 had the engine size in the grill. Starting in 75 they did away with putting the engine size in the grill.
At home my 74 has it, my 77 does not. On the store sit it says 73-74 grille has the spot for the engine size. http://store.73-87chevytrucks.com/merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=7&Product_Code=0850-040G&Category_Code=7387FC
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1973-74 and 1975-76 grilles had engine size in the grilles.
This is a 73-74: the tabs are at the bottom right. This came out of my 1973
(http://www.captkaoscustoms.com/images/73-74grille3.jpg)
This is a 75-76: This came out of my fathers 1975
(http://www.captkaoscustoms.com/images/75-76grille1.jpg)
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Oh ok. I thought they all could have had the engine size depending on trim level. Hey Capt, your bow-tie is missing too lol.
I'm going to poke around the local pilfer-n-steal on Sunday to see if I can find a descent bow-tie. You guys have any ideas on how to fix the cracks and restore some flexibility? It feels easy to snap and I'm being very careful with it.
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Also, does anyone know what the color code & name for the orange "Cheyenne" emblem on the dash trim was? Or was it just Chevy orange because when I repaint it I'm gonna repaint the emblem too and I'm stuck whether I should do the Chevy orange like my engine or the orange of the dash emblem.
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Got progress on the grille. Cracks have been fixed. Feels much more stable now, less flimsy. Also primered the grille and engine emblem and got the black base coat on the emblem.
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Back side
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Primer
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Base coat on emblem
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1973-74 and 1975-76 grilles had engine size in the grilles.
This is a 73-74: the tabs are at the bottom right. This came out of my 1973
(http://www.captkaoscustoms.com/images/73-74grille3.jpg)
This is a 75-76: This came out of my fathers 1975
(http://www.captkaoscustoms.com/images/75-76grille1.jpg)
Good to know, just 1 more thing I can add to the knowledge of 73-80 trucks, thanks for the correction.
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Made more progress on the grille this weekend. Got the back side painted all black. Got the front inner squares painted black also. And I got the 350 emblem done. I also was able to find an OEM bow-tie at my local pick and steal.
Now unfortunately, the bow-tie I found has had the gold center portion removed. I'm guessing they are acrylic but not sure. The metal "frame" of the bow-tie is in good shape. I will attempt to clean and polish it to a mirror shine. I rubbed it with my shirt in the parts yard and I could see my reflection in the chrome so hopefully it turns out nice.
If I don't like the look of the all chrome bow-tie on the grille I will buy a new repro one or see if I can find another OEM. I would really love to have all original OEM parts on the grille that I can clean and restore myself.
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Now as you guys saw, I primered and base coated the 350 emblem. I then taped it off and painted the 3, 5 & 0 Chevy orange. I thought it would look nice if I painted the outline ridges on the numbers with the same chrome in a can I am trying on the front of the grille. My girlfriend wanted to do this. I gotta say I was reluctant to let her, didn't wanna screw up my so far so good paint. But I have to say she did a KILLER job!
She taped the whole thing off carefully and used a very thin pointed brush, dipping the tip of the brush into a small try that I sprayed the paint into. Once dry it got a good coat of clear. Take a look all. :D
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Looks sharp!
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You should be ecstatic that your girlfriend want to help, my wife just looks at the garage and says, that is your territory, I just pass through it. ;D
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Thanks! Yea I am. I am so proud of her. She did so great. Lol my mom does that.
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Here is the bow-tie I snagged from the local bend-n-pry. Looks pretty good for missing a center piece and having to polish it up.
Will post another pic after it's properly polished and clear coated (for protection). It's good chrome from 76 so wanna keep it safe.
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Update, got the canned chrome sprayed tonight. So far looks really good. Will have a clear coated bow-tie pic in the morning, here's a final coat of chrome drying.
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Here's the clear coated b-t I promised.
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I pulled the tape off of the grille today. My intent was to have a chrome (or at least shiny looking) grille with the large columns and rows. The smaller squares would then be black. Giving the grille a nice bold look with depth and sharpness.
THATS A LOAD OF HORSE HOCKEY!!! Lol It looked like crap! I did not like it at all. Took my time taping it off and being careful. This didn't work.
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Sorry for every pic having it's own post. My phone crashes if I try and post more than one pic in a single post.
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So I said screw it and I painted the whole thing chrome. I gotta say, it looks a lot better. Doesn't look like a garage disaster.
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All chrome.
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Sorry I've been away. Went camping so project stopped for a few days. Back on tomorrow. It's not really chrome as much as a bright silver or light gray. I think it looks more original that way too, can't wait to see it all done and mounted on the truck.
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Grille painting is all done. Just gotta bolt the bow tie and 350 on and mount it on the truck. Hopefully tonight, with pics of course.
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Something I did on my '77 was to replace the factory bow-tie emblem with that 3M reflective tape that they use on 18-wheeler trailers. I used the red for all of the right reasons. Every body that I meet at night would know it was me. Even across the interstate my bow-tie would reflect bright red from oncoming traffic's headlights.
Oh, and duckoholic, I have a brand new '87 Silverado grille that was taken out of a Blazer back in the day so the original owner could put in one of those silly tube grilles. I think I gave $25 for it. And no it is not for sale. :)
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Nice. I like the all chrome look of it missing the acrylic. Next time I'm at the junk yard I will look for a complete one tho: then I'll have both. :)
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Something I did on my '77 was to replace the factory bow-tie emblem with that 3M reflective tape that they use on 18-wheeler trailers. I used the red for all of the right reasons. Every body that I meet at night would know it was me. Even across the interstate my bow-tie would reflect bright red from oncoming traffic's headlights.
Oh, and duckoholic, I have a brand new '87 Silverado grille that was taken out of a Blazer back in the day so the original owner could put in one of those silly tube grilles. I think I gave $25 for it. And no it is not for sale. :)
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Hey...Thanks a lot Engineer!!! I didn't want your silly grille anyway!!! Actually...I Did!!! ;) "please!" ;D
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Haha!
If I ever run across a spare I'll let you know.
If it makes you feel better the one I have just hangs on the wall in my shop. :)
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;)
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Put the grille on. Total disaster.
1: you guys failed to mention or warn me that the middle too mounting screw is in the middle on 75-76. (My 79 mounting hole is offset left)
2: you guys also forgot to tell me that the hood latch release on the 75-76 grille is offset left and 79 truck has it in the middle. Cracked the grille when tried to use it. :(
3: either this grille is bent or something is off cuz I had a 1/4 inch gap at the top corners when mounted and a 1/2 gap in the middle. Looks weird as all heck.
Here's pics. Ready to install.(http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/06/01/9ysuzyte.jpg)
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Does this not look ridiculously crappy or what???
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(http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/06/01/me5e8e5e.jpg)
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Now very disappointed by my failed project, I swore I was gonna do something to rectify this. Put the bow tie on the billet grille. (http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/06/01/2a5ymuqe.jpg)
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I was not throwing away something I spent 3x more on paint than I did on it in the first place. So hung it on the wall in my bedroom. Would rather see it on the truck but that is a joke now. (http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/06/01/ave8ude4.jpg)
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Wow..that really sucks!! Sorry for the "not so good Luck!!" I guess we who are looking to go back to OEM grilles have to keep looking. Better luck next time!! ;)
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Yea really tans my hide. I was so excited and when I held it up to the front it looked great. I like the look of the 75-76 grille better than the 79 grille.
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Put the grille on. Total disaster.
1: you guys failed to mention or warn me that the middle too mounting screw is in the middle on 75-76. (My 79 mounting hole is offset left)
2: you guys also forgot to tell me that the hood latch release on the 75-76 grille is offset left and 79 truck has it in the middle. Cracked the grille when tried to use it. :(
I did try to warn you. On page 1 with Capt. response.
" I am pretty sure only 73 - 74 had the engine size in the grill. Starting in 75 they did away with putting the engine size in the grill.
At home my 74 has it, my 77 does not. On the store sit it says 73-74 grille has the spot for the engine size. http://store.73-87chevytrucks.com/merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=7&Product_Code=0850-040G&Category_Code=7387FC "
Capt's response "1973-74 and 1975-76 grilles had engine size in the grilles. This is a 73-74: the tabs are at the bottom right. This came out of my 1973 This is a 75-76: This came out of my fathers 1975 "
You said it was from a 79 and we were telling you it was not, only 73-76 had the engine size in them. You never asked specifically if it would fit in a 79, now we all know.
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Yea I remember all of that. Wasn't really accusing anyone just poking fun that nobody said hey dude, thing don't fit lol.
Really I probably should have tried to dry fit it before I restored it. All my fault. Just disappointed really. I love the way it looks. Oh well. Got a killer wall ornament. And I fit the bow tie into the billet. But undecided if I like it or not.
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I have never liked tube grilles. Always been OE for me.
Anyway, keep at it. Eventually you'll get the look that you want.
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I like the tubes. My goal is a factory grille that is a light silver or gray finish, like this one that this topic is based on. OR somehow having it chromed so it looks very shiny and sharp like the Chevys. Like a 14 grille that the whole front of the truck is chrome.
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How hard would it be to exchange my 79 good release handle and bracket with a 75-76 one to make the 75-76 grille fit properly?
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So I was poking around Craigslist again today. Found a OEM 1980 grille. It's chrome and gray, has the bow tie, looks great, brand new in box. He's asking 200. Think I'm gonna get it.
Bring a year newer I know it will fit properly. I don't have to restore it either. Might just have a pro clear coat it for protection, is this a good idea?
Here it is.(http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/06/04/tugapa7a.jpg)
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In my area, a grille like this is rare and unique. I like it ALOT. :)
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If it is worth it to you, then that is all that matters right ?
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Absolutely!!! I talked to the guy. I offered his whole 200 plus 20 extra if he would take it off Craigslist and hold it for me till next weekend when I get paid. He said no problem and even started sending me pics of other parts he was gonna throw in for free. Said he will never use them and doesn't have the truck anymore. Got brand new front side marker housing with trim ring, new K5 Blazer fender badges, new stainless top front trim for above grille, 89 center console cup holder tray and the clear cluster guard for between the cluster and cluster bezel.
Prob gonna get this guy a Micky D's gift card or something too. I'm stoked for the score but I want him to know I appreciate his donation.
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WOW, that is a good deal for you, a gift card would show some class on your part for sure.
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Yea I can't wait till next weekend. I forgot to mention big block motor mounts too.
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So I've been soo busy I forgot to post this. I picked up that new 80 grille. Along with the K5 badges, side markers and center console tray. Thing is just as nice as it looks in the pic.