Replacing front bumper "smile"
 

To my fellow Pelican Heads:

I understand that there have been a few threads about DIY "smile" installations, and Warren Hall (Early_S_Man) has kindly pointed everyone to the August 1999 issue of 'Excellence'.

I have tried to hunt down this issue, but the problems I face are: 1. I live in Australia.
2. Everyone subscribes to 'Christophorus'.

Can anyone email me or post the August, 1999 Excellence Magazine article on page 133???

Thanks in advance to anyone who can help me!

I need that article as well if any one has it
Thanks
Woody:D

Yup, I need it too.

Re: Replacing front bumper "smile"
 

Howdy Trevor.
Yeah, Wayne's got this DIY project detailed in his 101 book. Worth buying - get someone to put it under the tree for you. ;)

oops...... nope, sorry! I've bum-drummed you Trevor.
He's forgotten it! Only the chin spoiler is covered.
So, that'd be the 102nd project at the next reprint, Wayne?

I Located the article.
 

I'll try to scan it in tomorrow as an Acrobat Reader file. If it works, you can send me your email address through the Private Message feature and I'll send it. I'll let you know tomorrow if I get it scanned in.

It's four pages.

I don't know where I'd be without this bulletin board!

Thank you autobonrun for offering to scan in the article, I have a feeling I won't be the only one indebted to you! Look forward to hearing from you tomorrow.

Hey Sean, I have a good feeling who I could ask to put that under the tree for me! :D

If you can't wait until next Wednesday, I can bring my copy of 101 Projects over and give you a hand.

Just make sure you leave some greasy, smudgy fingerprints on it so it looks well-worn! :D

[Edit - I just looked at 101 Projects and it's not actually listed. It only covers front spoiler installation.]

Wayne's 101 Project Book is on it's way. It's a Christmas present from my Mom. Can she pick out a great gift ot what? Beats getting an ugly sweater!

Replacing the "smile":
1. Unbolt the metal fillers that sit between the fender and front valence on either side of the car, at the leading edge of the wheelwell. The accordians are bolted to them. Spray first with your favorite penetrant a few hours before you attempt this.

2. Remove the 2 small screws on either end of the rubber bumper strip and slide it out of it's plastic holder. Carefully remove the plastic holder by gently prying the plastic clips that hold it to the bumper. This will expose the 4 nuts which hold the bumper to the bumper shocks.

3. Remove the 4 nuts, pull the bumper off of the studs and set it on 2 - 5 gallon paint cans or equivalent, so you don't have to unhook your turn signal wires.

4. The smile attachment points are now accessible. Using aircraft-style tin snips, cut away at the smile, removing as much of it as you can. Now, working on your back, spray the sheet metal screws holding the remains of the smile to the fenders with more penetrant.

5. Now you will need a pair of needle-nose vise grips to grab each screw and rotate it out of the fender, putting downward force on the screw as you rotate it.

6. Install the new smile. Reverse the process detailed above to re-assemble.

It scanned.
 

I got it scanned. Turned out legible so just send me a PM with your email and I'll attach it. Others interested can do the same.

any chance you could send that article to me please ?
jead312@gmail.com
thanks
James

Oh my, this is from almost 20 years ago. I’ll look for it.

I rescanned the article and emailed it to you.