VCCA Home Forums TECHNICAL - 1945 AND NEWER 1946-1948 Rear Acc. Bumper Bolt

I bought a Accessory "Center Bumper Guard" a while back on eBay for the '47...My concern was that it came w/out a bolt to attach it back under by the gas tank...What I'd like to do is use what type of bolt the dealer probably used back then...

So, would it have been a bolt with a square head and nut...?...Or, just the typical hex headed bolt...?

Either way, I've probably got a bolt with a bit of "patina" on it to look as though it's been in place there awhile...

Might sound as though I'm a bit odd, but the more parts and stuff I find for the 'ol girl, the more I enjoy this car looking completely original...In nice shape, with little or no restoration...Like some really lucky "barn find"...

Kevin when I got my accessory guard I don't know if the bolt was with it,here's how mine is attached

to Frame:





To Bumper

Thank ye Bruce...Looks like the "carriage" bolt would work for the on the cross-bar...Maybe that's the way it was supposed to be...
My bolt thru the bumper on the other hand, is square...Bolt head and nut...And it would appear it's original...But ya just never know...The more I look at it I think the bumper bolt especially, would look right/better with a carriage bolt...Like yours...Yeah, I think your set-up is the right way...Carriage bolt with castle nut...On the bumper, especially...Thanks, again...Your making my brain work...

No brain cell loss on nuts and bolts aloud Kevin,relax and have a great Xmas

Kevin, FWIW, Bruce's last pic looks just like mine.

I guess if both of you put yours on, I guess I will get mine re-chromed and put mine on. Just more $$$$$$

I think you're both right, the carriage bolt has to be correct ( last photo ) Gee, Russell I was wondering if you had any bumper accessories hidden away...I bought bumper tips, too. But I've noticed that the number of washers between the bumper and it's "mount" varies...Not sure if this was a factory deal or that a previous owner had do this to make things "even" after a minor accident...Did you find more than a single washer behind the bumpers...? I'll have to vary the number or some of the tips will be closer than others...!

Merry Christmas BTW

Yes Kevin you are correct,use the washers as shims...Be carefull when tightening the nuts down though or you will end up like me and have some cute dimples on your tips

Yes...For use as shims...I had a "tip" that came too close to the fender when I hit bumps...Now, I have a dimple on the fender...Is that what you mean...?

The real problem I had was putting back the washers/shims behind the bumper...Difficult to line them up w/out dropping them on the ground, over and over and... over again...

I know what I'll do next time is "part" ( cut ) drilled steel slugs on the lathe of various thicknesses , so I don't have to try and line-up a bunch of washers I can't see...

On the fold down bumper guard their is a piece I do not have. This pic is one from E-bay some years back. I figure it is a "stiffener" as not to crush the cross member??? Should be easy enough for you to make.

As to all the accessories, at one time had most of them. Bumper ends front and back and tall grill guard. But, sometime in '07/'09 when I was in a "funk" and was thinking, no way could I ever finish. I sold all but the fold down.

Yes, washers as shims.

As to lining up washers. After I figure, how many is needed, I simply use super glue to hold them together.

Glue the washers together after figuring how many you need...
Pure genius...I never would'a thunk it...! Thanks...That's a real time saver...!

Thanks for the photo also...Yes, I see I'm missing that piece...Probably a good idea add that...Must add some strength...Or they wouldn't have used it...Easy enough to make...

Sorry to hear about your loss...Stuff happens.
I see cars with just the Back-Guard, anyway...Good place to start...

So Russell you sold your accessory grill guard very hard to come by!!!and as always more chrome plating if you find another.If your like me I don't like pits or blemishes...A real nice piece though!!!

Is this the grill guard you sold??



Talking about dimples,if you look at the right rear bumper bolt you will see one of the dimples I am talking about...For the fold down bumper guard cross member support piece,I remember the piece but it never made it on the car,must be packed away some where

Wow...! That guy's Aero looks just like yours...! lol

Oh...Okay...Now I get where you meant you left the dimple, ON the tip...I left a ding in the fender from the tip of the tip...

Yep! As I remember, NOS. The three pieces had never been bolted together. That's OK though, made a fair profit.

fold down All you need.
I keep forgetting, Johnny has it ALL.

Very nice...I can get all the measurements I need from the pictures...I keep forgetting about Johnny's photo's as reference...Thanks

Heres Russells missing grill guard
http://www.1948chevy.com/images-acc/grill-gd48.jpg


And heres Kevin soon to find grill guard
http://www.1948chevy.com/images-acc/grill-gd47.jpg

Thanks Johnny

Even if I could find that particular grill guard I think I'd have to give it a pass...I'm in the process of mounting my license plate off to the side, using the pick-up truck mount for that year...So, the guard would be in the way...

kevin in reference to mounting your front plate.So you never got the center licence plate hanger to work?...As I was in my parts yesterday I found the hanger,I thinks its from COT40's, and when I put it up to the holes in the front bumper,It appeared the plate when attached would sit quite straight...This was not you experienced???

I bought the hanger off eBay, from a guy who said it came off his '48...Along with a bunch of other stuff that came off the '48...All for 20 bucks...Although, it appears correct ( along with the other stuff ), when attached, it hangs at an angle on my '47 bumper...Don't know why it would matter, but it does...

So, I started thinking about the "pricy" plate I have for the car now, and decided to mount out of harms way...I don't have the 'ol truck anymore...But I found the original license plate mount that came with it and every time I look at it I think of that '53 Chevy I had long ago...

Kevin -

It's okay to mount the license plate in the middle. You're not supposed to be running into things with your '47. :-)

Kevin,you said you are a purist and want thing to be original.With that being said should you re-think your licence plate location...Just my 2 cents...We will still be buddies no matter what the out come

May be we should move this topic?Bumper bolts bit the dust a long time ago

Pure at heart...Close enough.

Great answer...You dah man...