I am backdating the front bumper on my 73 to a pre-73 bumper without the bumperettes.
Somehow the early bumper appears not to mount as close to the front bulkhead leaving a 3/8" gap between the front of the hood and the rubber bumper top.
Unfortunately, I no longer have the original bumper to compare. Are there differences between the early and late bumpers other tham the tits?

Any help will be appreciated.

TIA

I do not believe there is any difference other than the holes to mount the tits. Should bolt up nicely despite that. You don't somehow have two dog bones (rubber mounting cushion) on each side do you?

Have you trimmed off the front of the channel mount where the old bumper lip attached?

He won't need to do that on a '73. He is going early bumper to earlier bumper, so his car never had the channel.

How is the spacing at ends, are they really close to the body?
The bumper may have been flexed causing a gap in front and a tight fit on the sides.

Mike

I'll post some pics when I get home.
Thanks for all replies.

you can always cut the rubber spacers smaller. quick work with a hack saw

OOOOPS I didn't notice! All I looked at was "backdating"!

Update:
I mounted the bumper and once the mounting bolts were torqued, the bumper positioned much closer than initially thought.

However, I was contemplating the idea of trimming the dog bones to move it a little closer. If the steel sleeves in the bolt holes control the spacing, they must be trimmed as well. Correct?

Thanks for all input.

I've been wondering that too! I'd like to really trim up some of the gaps on my car, especially around the sides of the bumper and fender.