jlarsson

iTrader: (5)

Firebird question:

Need a bit of help here; The front bumper reinforcement bracket (see attached photo) ... I know this is different for the 91/92 model year.

However would the 82-84 bracket be the same as used on the 85-90 models ?

I know the early style used normal threaded (for nuts) studs at the ends and the 85-90 model years used studs for self threading nuts and I presume this would just be an improvement for the assembly line being able to do them up quicker.

However I own a 1989 and just picked up a 1984 bracket to keep as spare just in case I ever need it; then I started to remember having replaced or swapped this bracket out when years ago I had a 1984 bird that I put the later (85-90) regular (so Firebird/Formula) front bumper on; but can't remember why I did mess around with that bracket.

So in short is that bracket the same and can be used on any 82-90 model Firebird or did they change (and if so what changed) in 1985?

Looking to powder coat the 1984 bracket I have however if it wont fit my 1989 I don't want to waste the money doing it.

(picture is one I found on ebay however help to clarify which one I'm talking about).

mantaguy

iTrader: (5)

The P/N will be stamped on it on the left side up top.This P/N is from my 86 TA spare Facia

jlarsson

iTrader: (5)

Yep however I suspect that is the part number for just the middle piece and would be the same for all years as the end pieces are spot welded on that middle piece making up the complete assembly and a different part number.

I will dig around in my parts books.

However still interested if someone either got both to compare or done a swap and for sure know they are the same or not.

Appreciate the help.

87350gtanj

From what I remember 82-84 is by itself just like 85-90 and of coarse 91-92.
But you could be correct with the only difference between the 84 style vs 85 style is the way the hardware is used speed nut vs threaded nut since up to 90 they used parking lights next to the headlight assemblies.

jlarsson

iTrader: (5)

If anyone got the 85-90 bracket loose and could take a couple of similar photos like these (of the 82-84 style I got hold of) we can compare and see what the actual difference might be.

Photos show the right hand side (passanger side) of the bracket.

jlarsson

iTrader: (5)

And a few more ...



And the info from the GM Parts and Illustration Guide ...

82-84
Group 1.263 # 10017789

85-90
Group 1.269 # 10182097

91-92
Group 7.831 # 10118418

mantaguy

iTrader: (5)

I took some pics of the two I have, the dirty one outside is the same P/N as my ORIGINAL White one inside.They are Identical(reinforcement bar)the dirty one I have no Idea what year it's off.My Parts Catalog says the same as yours,10017789 for the 82-84,but my White one is from my 86 and it's the original one. I think it's a typo,I'm almost positive that those welded ends have no P/N.there part of the bar.EDIT My parts book actually doesn't list this info for 82-84 it was for something else just on top of this info.

mantaguy

iTrader: (5)

The only difference between yours and mine is,yours uses SAE thread nuts and mine uses Speed nuts.There was 2 different reinforcement bars used for 85-87.

SolarGoldRaptor

I used an '89 bracket on my '84, there seems to be a slight difference where it meets the front fender. It doesn't sit perfectly flush. Nothing really shocking.
The original bracket had been cut for a KR nose and only the side pieces remained, but I threw them away long ago.

jlarsson

iTrader: (5)

Thanks guys, this is really helpful to clarify the difference.

SolarGoldRaptor ... this confirms what I suspected hence the difference in the end pieces spotwelded to the large centre piece. Looking at the pictures there's clearly a difference in the "step down" between the upper and lower fender mounting points which means the softw bumper cover have to be slightly different in thickness in those areas as the fenders are identical ...

So will be looking at finding the 85-90 version to keep as spare for mine ... not an easy task on this side of the pond as they are rusted out most of them ...

Again thanks for all the help with pictures etc. much appreciated.

SolarGoldRaptor

Well, if you ever come to the north of France, we could swap them ! Mine is in excellent condition, but the slight difference bothers me a bit. I'd much rather have an '84 piece, but 82-84 specific parts are extremely hard to find here.

jlarsson

iTrader: (5)

Would be more than happy to swap, if you are in the South of England (or any friends of yours happen to travel over here) let me know and I'm happy to meet up somewhere. Unfortunatly due to the size it's not practical to ship :-(

Regards

Jan

l_dis_travlr

My experience is that the fenders, at the bumper cover mounting points
are NOT identical across multi years.
(And I can post pics to support that assertion.)
The key issue is that the contour of the mounting bracket brace,
shown in mantaguy's pics, MATCH the fender mounting point contour.
If not, the mis-match can sheer off the bumper cover mounting tab.
(Go ahead, ask me how I know this. )

Good luck,
kk

lasher_350

Does anyone know the size speed nut for the later model studs? I can't find anything locally that works, and I'd love to get mine fully attached. Part numbers would be awesome, but general size will help me too. Thanks!

mantaguy

iTrader: (5)

The stud itself is 1/4" on my 86.
http://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.thir...eda3a00627.jpg