87 Trans am Front bumper cover
#1
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87 Trans am Front bumper cover
Can someone let me know if there were trans am bumper covers with a shape for a number plate. As you can see from the picture below mine has a strange shape however not sure if it has formed this way by time with the plate holder. I would really like to remove it but I have to find a way how to straighten it up. Perhaps heat gun?
#3
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Re: 87 Trans am Front bumper cover
So it should be straight. Will need to see how to support it and be able to apply pressure then.
Anyone had any luck with this system?
Anyone had any luck with this system?
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Car: 1985 Trans Am T-Top
Engine: 305 TPI
Transmission: T-5 5 Speed
Axle/Gears: 3.42 posi 1LE 10 bolt
Re: 87 Trans am Front bumper cover
I have straightened some of these covers, it takes a lot of work.
Have to use heat gun but it small stages so you don't overdo it. Then clamping with wooden blocks.
Yours might have been stretched past where you can shrink it back. To fix it you will need to cut out stretched areas and replace with reinforced plastic repair compound.
I use SEM "problem solver" plastic repair compound.
Have to use heat gun but it small stages so you don't overdo it. Then clamping with wooden blocks.
Yours might have been stretched past where you can shrink it back. To fix it you will need to cut out stretched areas and replace with reinforced plastic repair compound.
I use SEM "problem solver" plastic repair compound.
#5
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Re: 87 Trans am Front bumper cover
Wow that sounds like a lot of work!!! We don't have the SEM brand in Malta so will have to see if I manage to find online if they ship it.
Might consider building a fiberglass copy.
Might consider building a fiberglass copy.
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Car: 1985 Trans Am T-Top
Engine: 305 TPI
Transmission: T-5 5 Speed
Axle/Gears: 3.42 posi 1LE 10 bolt
Re: 87 Trans am Front bumper cover
The heat shaping is a lot of work.
Cutting and filling is actually pretty easy if you have the right material.
Making a whole fiberglass bumper is really hard, especially if you aren't set up for fiberglass work already with stuff like vacuum bagging equipment, etc.
Using the plastic filler is kind of like fiberglassing, just using the plastic stuff instead of resin and aluminum mesh instead of glass cloth. Plastic filler is too thick for glass cloth.
Some people use fiberglass and resin instead of the plastic filler. It works, but because the fiberglass resin and plastic have very different thermal properties and flex characteristics cracking results.
Your cover looks pretty straight besides the plate area so I would just cut some slits in the stretched out part and clamp back into place with the plastic repair. Then fill any defects with plastic repair and sand. Remember to use plastic adhesion promoter when you paint.
I'm sure some brand of plastic filler is available by mail order, it's very common these days.
Cutting and filling is actually pretty easy if you have the right material.
Making a whole fiberglass bumper is really hard, especially if you aren't set up for fiberglass work already with stuff like vacuum bagging equipment, etc.
Using the plastic filler is kind of like fiberglassing, just using the plastic stuff instead of resin and aluminum mesh instead of glass cloth. Plastic filler is too thick for glass cloth.
Some people use fiberglass and resin instead of the plastic filler. It works, but because the fiberglass resin and plastic have very different thermal properties and flex characteristics cracking results.
Your cover looks pretty straight besides the plate area so I would just cut some slits in the stretched out part and clamp back into place with the plastic repair. Then fill any defects with plastic repair and sand. Remember to use plastic adhesion promoter when you paint.
I'm sure some brand of plastic filler is available by mail order, it's very common these days.
#7
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Re: 87 Trans am Front bumper cover
Note sure I understand what you mean by cutting slits on the stretched parts. I might try to clamp down with two pieces of wood back and front and will evaluate if it is over stretched or not. Didn't perform any attempts yet. For sure I will need some kind of plastic filler as there are some dents in the area currently painted grey. Maybe I manage to find some Wurth product.
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#8
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Car: 1 Owner 1986 TA with a WS6 package
Engine: 5.0 EFI
Transmission: THM700R4
Axle/Gears: 277 Posi Speedo
Re: 87 Trans am Front bumper cover
The best and easiest way is to put a "PONTIAC" tag back on or just get another cover.
My 86 did that same thing,I changed it a while back with a different cover from another TA.
My 86 did that same thing,I changed it a while back with a different cover from another TA.
#9
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Re: 87 Trans am Front bumper cover
So you didn't manage to fix the bend. Was it a failed attempt or you didn't try the repair? Was thinking of getting two metal pieces to straighten it rather than wooden blocks. These would allow me to blow heat on them while the bumper is clamped.
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Car: 1 Owner 1986 TA with a WS6 package
Engine: 5.0 EFI
Transmission: THM700R4
Axle/Gears: 277 Posi Speedo
Re: 87 Trans am Front bumper cover
Body shop said that's not going to be fixed properly, nor is it worth the time and effort. I did have them repaint and fix the other damage to it. I keep this one as a spare.If I have to reuse this one(God forbid) I would just reinstall the License plate brackets and put a "PONTIAC" plate on it(I live in NJ and front license plates are no longer required on historical cars)
#11
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Re: 87 Trans am Front bumper cover
Do you have a picture of these frames?
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Car: 1985 Trans Am T-Top
Engine: 305 TPI
Transmission: T-5 5 Speed
Axle/Gears: 3.42 posi 1LE 10 bolt
Re: 87 Trans am Front bumper cover
The mounting screws for the brackets have pulled the plastic out towards the front. It might be too stretched to just flatten back down. In that case , you have to remove some material.
A relief cut or slit in the raised ridge should allow it to lie flat again.
When using the heat gun you can use metal but you need something with rounded edges.
When you test it, the plastic will get soft and sharp edged will leave a mark.
You have to heat before you clamp and the braces you clamp with have to have a large surface area or they will dig into the plastic. Heating around the braces will form an impression of the brace.
A relief cut or slit in the raised ridge should allow it to lie flat again.
When using the heat gun you can use metal but you need something with rounded edges.
When you test it, the plastic will get soft and sharp edged will leave a mark.
You have to heat before you clamp and the braces you clamp with have to have a large surface area or they will dig into the plastic. Heating around the braces will form an impression of the brace.
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Car: 1987 Trans am GTA
Engine: 5.7 liter
Transmission: 700r4
Axle/Gears: 3.27
Re: 87 Trans am Front bumper cover
I'm with manta guy, you would probably be better off putting a plate bracket on the front, it doesn't fix the problem with the bumper but it covers it up.
#16
Re: 87 Trans am Front bumper cover
My Front bumper cover on my Trans Am is also warped like yours due to a shitty front plate mount. I am thinking of carving out that section to make a bumper vent zone and forming up some mesh to fill in the cut out area.
Perhaps something like this. Can mold it with a heat gun to fit the contour of the bumper.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Unpainted-J...NZuF5f&vxp=mtr
Was thinking of replacing the front and rear hood vents with mesh as well though have not thought that through as far.
Perhaps something like this. Can mold it with a heat gun to fit the contour of the bumper.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Unpainted-J...NZuF5f&vxp=mtr
Was thinking of replacing the front and rear hood vents with mesh as well though have not thought that through as far.
#17
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Re: 87 Trans am Front bumper cover
Look at this thread post 63-65. That is what I did and it came out extremely good. Don’t have picture of finished product though yet.
https://www.thirdgen.org/forums/memb...-88-gta-2.html
https://www.thirdgen.org/forums/memb...-88-gta-2.html
#18
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Re: 87 Trans am Front bumper cover
For those interested this is how the bumper came out after spraying. It came out extremely good. One big problem though... the eyelet on the top which ensures the bumper sits flush to the fender has came off... this friggin material is sh.1ty. I will now see if I can glue some kind of metal support to the side. Will let you guys know.
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Car: 1 Owner 1986 TA with a WS6 package
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Axle/Gears: 277 Posi Speedo
Re: 87 Trans am Front bumper cover
That looks pretty goodWhat part broke off?have a pic.?
#20
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Re: 87 Trans am Front bumper cover
Its not the actual photo with the broken tab but I have marked where it broke off. It is actually of the driver's side but you can get the idea.
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Car: 1985 Trans Am T-Top
Engine: 305 TPI
Transmission: T-5 5 Speed
Axle/Gears: 3.42 posi 1LE 10 bolt
Re: 87 Trans am Front bumper cover
You can glue that back on with the same plastic repair compound I referred to earlier.
Use aluminum mesh to reinforce.
Use aluminum mesh to reinforce.
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Car: 1985 Trans Am T-Top
Engine: 305 TPI
Transmission: T-5 5 Speed
Axle/Gears: 3.42 posi 1LE 10 bolt
Re: 87 Trans am Front bumper cover
Also, just to be sure you know, there is a metal support bar that goes there.
#23
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Re: 87 Trans am Front bumper cover
Problem is that SEM is not available where I live and no one will post chemicals.
Re the support bar, yes I know about it but that is actually one of the problems. You cannot do a lot of thick stuff behind it for the reinforcement to be able to fit in.
Re the support bar, yes I know about it but that is actually one of the problems. You cannot do a lot of thick stuff behind it for the reinforcement to be able to fit in.
#24
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Re: 87 Trans am Front bumper cover
Is there perhaps a JB weld equivalent to it? We do get JB weld here.
Aluminium mesh is also another unknown
Aluminium mesh is also another unknown
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Car: 1988 Trans Am
Engine: L03
Transmission: 700R4
Axle/Gears: 10 Bolt 2.73 Open
Re: 87 Trans am Front bumper cover
https://www.thirdgen.org/forums/memb...ml#post5903981
#26
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Re: 87 Trans am Front bumper cover
Thanks. Looks like you had quite some work to do.
I will first try to see if I manage to work some sheet metal. If that fails I will revert to JB weld and see how it holds up.
I will first try to see if I manage to work some sheet metal. If that fails I will revert to JB weld and see how it holds up.
#27
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Re: 87 Trans am Front bumper cover
I finally decied to form a sheet metal bracket. It took me quite a few hours of wood forming but the end rusult is probably stronger thatn it is meant to be from the factory.
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Car: 1 Owner 1986 TA with a WS6 package
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Re: 87 Trans am Front bumper cover
That looks good,and with the reinforcement bar it will be even stronger
#29
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Re: 87 Trans am Front bumper cover
Thanks man. The reinforcement bar fitted perfectly