85-90 v. 91-92 Front Bumper Reenforcement Bar
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Car: 1990 Firebird
85-90 v. 91-92 Front Bumper Reenforcement Bar
I'm on vacation and found a rust-free front bumper reenforcement bar off of a 91 Firebird (part number 10118418) at a scrap yard, and before I pull it, am wondering if it's compatable with my 90 Firebird. I'm talking about the black bar that is visible with the hood up right in back of the nose, NOT the hidden rectangular metal bar with the plastic absorbers on it. This bar has the cut-out holes for the turn signal lamps, although of course being on a 91 the lamps aren't there. The part number is different, but it appears an exact fit. I'd appreciate any feedback before I pull it and ship it back home since all the ones back in Florida are heavily rusted. I've seen 82-84s v. 85-90s discussed, but not 85-90's v. 91-92s.
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Re: 85-90 v. 91-92 Front Bumper Reenforcement Bar
Just to be 100% clear, you are talking about the piece that mounts to the bumper directly (using 7mm screws) and to the "fill plate" that the secondary hood latch goes into using 10mm bolts, correct? I've attached a (poor) picture of the piece I am talking about, circled in red.
I believe that they are the same. As I recall, I pulled one off of a 90 W68 car and put in on my 91 Formula. Hopefully someone else will chime in with a for sure answer. I also went out and looked at them in the cars and I couldn't see a difference between the 89 and 91.
I believe that they are the same. As I recall, I pulled one off of a 90 W68 car and put in on my 91 Formula. Hopefully someone else will chime in with a for sure answer. I also went out and looked at them in the cars and I couldn't see a difference between the 89 and 91.
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Re: 85-90 v. 91-92 Front Bumper Reenforcement Bar
I'm very surprised you are finding rusty parts here in Florida. Probably 90%+ of the cars I see in the yards have zero rust issues. If they do, it is minor. There are a few people here in Florida who part of 3rd gens so if you needed a specific part from a certain year(s) they most likely have it.
There is a guy in Ft. Myers(what is that like 1.5 - 2 hour drive from you?) who most likely has the part you need. He is also a member on here that has a good reputation. Bill33976. I met him not long ago, good guy. Shipping shouldn't be much since it isn't a long distance.
There is a guy in Ft. Myers(what is that like 1.5 - 2 hour drive from you?) who most likely has the part you need. He is also a member on here that has a good reputation. Bill33976. I met him not long ago, good guy. Shipping shouldn't be much since it isn't a long distance.
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Car: 1990 Firebird
Re: 85-90 v. 91-92 Front Bumper Reenforcement Bar
Just to be 100% clear, you are talking about the piece that mounts to the bumper directly (using 7mm screws) and to the "fill plate" that the secondary hood latch goes into using 10mm bolts, correct? I've attached a (poor) picture of the piece I am talking about, circled in red.
I believe that they are the same. As I recall, I pulled one off of a 90 W68 car and put in on my 91 Formula. Hopefully someone else will chime in with a for sure answer. I also went out and looked at them in the cars and I couldn't see a difference between the 89 and 91.
I believe that they are the same. As I recall, I pulled one off of a 90 W68 car and put in on my 91 Formula. Hopefully someone else will chime in with a for sure answer. I also went out and looked at them in the cars and I couldn't see a difference between the 89 and 91.
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Re: 85-90 v. 91-92 Front Bumper Reenforcement Bar
CharcoalBird - I'm having trouble with a lot of metal loss under the screw heads or bolts once I start pulling the parts in from scrap yards in FL - probably from trapped moisture. Maybe it's just a run of bad luck. I appreciate the lead for parts.
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Re: 85-90 v. 91-92 Front Bumper Reenforcement Bar
Fyi they are different. Should not be hard to find the correct one.
steve
steve
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Re: 85-90 v. 91-92 Front Bumper Reenforcement Bar
^ Agreed they are different, but the 91-92 supports are in high demand so you can recoup your cost plus some
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Car: 92 Firebird
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Re: 85-90 v. 91-92 Front Bumper Reenforcement Bar
Sure
Look at the turn signals, the bar dips down on the older versions. For 91-92 the turn signals were mounted low in the nose, so the bar is strait across
Look at the turn signals, the bar dips down on the older versions. For 91-92 the turn signals were mounted low in the nose, so the bar is strait across
#11
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Re: 85-90 v. 91-92 Front Bumper Reenforcement Bar
The bar isn't straight across, though. It dips down the same. I just walked out to my 1992 Firebird and took this picture. I circled the two holes where in a 85-90 the turn signal would mount, and also outlines where it dips down, same as 85-90.
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Re: 85-90 v. 91-92 Front Bumper Reenforcement Bar
The front is different. Nose is flush in height with headlight door on 91/92. I have good early ones but had to fix one of my later ones to install my formula bumper. It is about 2 inches taller. If you had them off its easy to see the difference.
Pocket is correct, 91/92 nongfx and all there parts are valuable these days. hth
Pocket is correct, 91/92 nongfx and all there parts are valuable these days. hth
#13
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Re: 85-90 v. 91-92 Front Bumper Reenforcement Bar
I went and checked on the bar I pulled from my 91 Formy. There is a metal piece that was spot welded on that runs straight across where the turn signals would normally go. That does explain what it still has all the provisions for the 85-90 turn signals, GM appears to have just added a piece to the existing part.
I wonder if you removed the couple of spots welds holding that bar on if it would then work on the 85-90, though it would probably be best to just sell it and buy a correct 85-90 one.
I wonder if you removed the couple of spots welds holding that bar on if it would then work on the 85-90, though it would probably be best to just sell it and buy a correct 85-90 one.
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Re: 85-90 v. 91-92 Front Bumper Reenforcement Bar
Sure did! . Working on my Firebird by going to the junkyard makes the perfect vacation!
I was going to post pictures since I realized it is different than the 85-90s once I pulled it, especially at both ends, but the other posters covered this. Thanks! At least I saved a rust-hole free 91-92 support bar from being crushed.
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