Anybody install Fusick 442 grills with success?
#81
Just an Olds Guy
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Edmonton, AB. And "I am Can 'eh' jun - eh"
Posts: 24,525
The location of the three broken tabs are pictured below. But it still doesn't fit right. The bottom left corner where its rounded doesn't conform to the SS very well.
http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/820/grille1t.jpg/
http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/820/grille1t.jpg/
#82
The whole bottom left corner needs to be moved in. Can't tell where it's getting hung up.
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#83
I'm in the same boat as you guys. Tried fitting the grilles into a reproduction stone shield and the tabs were getting in the way. Tried bending the tabs and they broke off very easily.
Feel like just breaking all the tabs off and use double sided tape to keep the trim on. Also wondering if I do that will the grilles actually fit in the stone shield because the bolt holes where the shield and grille meet are way off.
Also for anyone looking for new 72 tail lights go find some originals because the reproduction ones are way off. The uppers look like crap while the bottoms look some what close to originals. Emailed Fusick but I doubt they will do anything.
Feel like just breaking all the tabs off and use double sided tape to keep the trim on. Also wondering if I do that will the grilles actually fit in the stone shield because the bolt holes where the shield and grille meet are way off.
Also for anyone looking for new 72 tail lights go find some originals because the reproduction ones are way off. The uppers look like crap while the bottoms look some what close to originals. Emailed Fusick but I doubt they will do anything.
#84
This thread kind of bothered me even though I don't have a 71-72 so I e-mailed Fusick. It doesn't really answer the question although he does acknowledge some problems fitting them. I've heard of similar problems fitting 68 headlight buckets The bottom line is, they are the only ones out there so you either have to restore a factory set (which I did), or massage the repros. The more feedback they get the more easily they can correct problems. If you guys don't keep them in the loop the parts will never improve
This is Steve's reply:
This is Steve's reply:
Mike,
Thank you for the information, we have had a few customers ask as well as have trouble installing the grilles for 1971-72’s. It could be a combination of the new reproduction stone shield as well as the tabs on the back of the grilles holding the grille moldings. It seems to work easier if you install the stone shield first and then the grilles into the shield.
We have a 71 here and have a set of our reproduction grilles with an original GM Stone shield and they fit without a problem. We have gone as far as mounting a customers into our 442, the fit is tight but does clear in all areas.
Thanks Again, Let Us Know and We Will Be Happy To Answer Any Questions.
Steve
Fusick Auto
Thank you for the information, we have had a few customers ask as well as have trouble installing the grilles for 1971-72’s. It could be a combination of the new reproduction stone shield as well as the tabs on the back of the grilles holding the grille moldings. It seems to work easier if you install the stone shield first and then the grilles into the shield.
We have a 71 here and have a set of our reproduction grilles with an original GM Stone shield and they fit without a problem. We have gone as far as mounting a customers into our 442, the fit is tight but does clear in all areas.
Thanks Again, Let Us Know and We Will Be Happy To Answer Any Questions.
Steve
Fusick Auto
Last edited by allyolds68; December 15th, 2011 at 07:20 AM.
#85
Just an Olds Guy
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Edmonton, AB. And "I am Can 'eh' jun - eh"
Posts: 24,525
The whole bottom left corner needs to be moved in. Can't tell where it's getting hung up.
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#87
Allan, the arrows in this picture are where the tabs broke off. http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/820/grille1t.jpg/
Some of the tabs don't even have fasteners. Has anyone tried fitting the grilles into an original stone shield to see if they fit any better?
Some of the tabs don't even have fasteners. Has anyone tried fitting the grilles into an original stone shield to see if they fit any better?
#88
Just an Olds Guy
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Edmonton, AB. And "I am Can 'eh' jun - eh"
Posts: 24,525
Allan, the arrows in this picture are where the tabs broke off. http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/820/grille1t.jpg/
Some of the tabs don't even have fasteners. Has anyone tried fitting the grilles into an original stone shield to see if they fit any better?
Some of the tabs don't even have fasteners. Has anyone tried fitting the grilles into an original stone shield to see if they fit any better?
#90
Just an Olds Guy
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Edmonton, AB. And "I am Can 'eh' jun - eh"
Posts: 24,525
Really? repops go for around 115 bucks or so depending where you shop. A garage price (not sure what that is) of 114 for an NOS OEM? Jump all over that sucker - get 10! I'll take one
#91
#94
If you walked up to the parts counter with the part number, (so the partsperson doesn't have to look it up) and pre-pay the special order, I think most dealers would be willing to give you the garage/wholesale price. Politeness counts.
#95
Just an Olds Guy
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Edmonton, AB. And "I am Can 'eh' jun - eh"
Posts: 24,525
Probably about 40-60% of what wholesale is? I don't think GM has the resources to hunt down and kill anything in today's economy.
#97
Just an Olds Guy
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Edmonton, AB. And "I am Can 'eh' jun - eh"
Posts: 24,525
#99
Just went through this over the weekend, OE stone shield, aftermarket grills. Passenger side fit great, driver's side is the same as Hoffman2099 is experiencing, needs to move to the left/center.
I ended up doctoring the stone shield. I opened the indents up with a dremel, cut them out completely, so I could see that the studs were seated correctly. It's something else that's preventing it from moving to the left/center. At least it was for me (not the top stud or tab).
After doctoring it and fitting it like 20 times, it fit better, not perfect, and when I mocked it up, it all pulled together without much stress, so I left it.
Couple other notes:
I installed the headlight surrounds before the stone shield/grills, and was able to slip it all together.
I had to trim the L brackets since I was going from 'S' to 442 grills. (no biggie)
I got the hardware fastener set, worth the couple extra bucks.
I too had an issue with the number '2' bowing/turning as the speed nut was tightened. (I ended up spinning the nut on and off a couple times before putting it on the grill, worked like a champ).
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I ended up doctoring the stone shield. I opened the indents up with a dremel, cut them out completely, so I could see that the studs were seated correctly. It's something else that's preventing it from moving to the left/center. At least it was for me (not the top stud or tab).
After doctoring it and fitting it like 20 times, it fit better, not perfect, and when I mocked it up, it all pulled together without much stress, so I left it.
Couple other notes:
I installed the headlight surrounds before the stone shield/grills, and was able to slip it all together.
I had to trim the L brackets since I was going from 'S' to 442 grills. (no biggie)
I got the hardware fastener set, worth the couple extra bucks.
I too had an issue with the number '2' bowing/turning as the speed nut was tightened. (I ended up spinning the nut on and off a couple times before putting it on the grill, worked like a champ).
.
#100
Just an Olds Guy
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Edmonton, AB. And "I am Can 'eh' jun - eh"
Posts: 24,525
I ended up doctoring the stone shield. I opened the indents up with a dremel, cut them out completely, so I could see that the studs were seated correctly. It's something else that's preventing it from moving to the left/center. At least it was for me (not the top stud or tab).
I have a set of the right brackets so it should be easier. I'm guessing the new hardware fastening set just makes it easier to work with since you have all new parts? The '2' has 2 posts on the back. I found ALL the numbers speed nuts were somewhat tedious to get on, but never ran into a problem with them bowing or turning. I started both speed nuts at the same time and went back and forth from one to the other to get symmetrical torque/tightness
#101
I twisted a stud off a number and had to order another set. And that was before the speed nut was even tight. That's why I ended up going back & forth on the second set of numbers, tighten a turn, loosen, tighten a turn more, loosen, you get the idea.
Yeah, the fastener set was just that, easier to work with. The clips slid on easy, and didn't have to worry about taking them off the old grills. And I knew the new screws would fit right.
Here's a couple more shots, if anyone needs close ups of anything, let me know...
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Yeah, the fastener set was just that, easier to work with. The clips slid on easy, and didn't have to worry about taking them off the old grills. And I knew the new screws would fit right.
Here's a couple more shots, if anyone needs close ups of anything, let me know...
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#102
Just an Olds Guy
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Edmonton, AB. And "I am Can 'eh' jun - eh"
Posts: 24,525
Would also love to see the shots of the dremel work you did to the stone shield. It would help a lot for mine. thx in advance.
#103
Yeah, I will see if I can get some shots of the L bracket, but basically, all I did was cut a piece off, drill one hole, and slip a J nut on it. I only used one, the bottom one. (I should have gotten pics going together, but it's really no-brainer).
As for the stone shield mods, should have gotten pics there too, but all I did was cut out the square 'windows' that are imprinted on it. I cut the whole square out, it all gets covered up by the grill.
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As for the stone shield mods, should have gotten pics there too, but all I did was cut out the square 'windows' that are imprinted on it. I cut the whole square out, it all gets covered up by the grill.
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#104
Just an Olds Guy
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Edmonton, AB. And "I am Can 'eh' jun - eh"
Posts: 24,525
Don't worry about the L bracket. That I can figure out no problem. Based on what you've described here I can probably get mine to fit. Did you do ALL the cutouts or just the vertical ones that were causing the misalignment? So far I've only tried to dry fit the DS grill.
#108
After opening those windows up, and got all the mounting screws/bolts in place, it all came together. There is a little tension still left in it when it was drawn together, but not excessive. (Won't crack in my opinion). Once it heat cycles a few times, I bet it will relax the remaining tension.
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#109
Took me 4 weeks of sweat, blood and tears, But they installed better than a pair of rain boots on a Koala.
#110
Lol , this is a great forum.
#114
Just an Olds Guy
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Edmonton, AB. And "I am Can 'eh' jun - eh"
Posts: 24,525
We're always prepared, but were you ready for the rebuttal??
baby_koala_yawn-1.gif
baby_koala_yawn-1.gif
#115
[QUOTE=Hoffman2099;349885]The whole bottom left corner needs to be moved in. Can't tell where it's getting hung up.
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Well I found out why the grille wouldn't fit in to place. The bottom right plastic tab where it bolts to the stone shield is way off. You can either cut off the tab or do some grinding to the stone shield. After that it fits good. Have to work on the passengers side now.
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Well I found out why the grille wouldn't fit in to place. The bottom right plastic tab where it bolts to the stone shield is way off. You can either cut off the tab or do some grinding to the stone shield. After that it fits good. Have to work on the passengers side now.
#116
I finally got around to looking at my grilles I got from Fusick.They do not look exactly like the ones pictured.The repops pictured have a round stud,with a speed clip,holding the outer trim on.My grilles have a flat tab,just like the GM grilles,but has the speed clip also,instead of being bent over like the GM grilles.If I just remove the speed clip,and bend the tabs over like the GM's,I think they will work as they should.They are real close the way they are now,just mocking them up.So why do mine have a different style of stud?Newer?
#118
Are the newer 2013 repop grills any different out there? I liked to know if they fixed them, did what they should of from the start and MAKE SURE THEY WERE CORRECT FROM THE START!!!
Just makes no sense at all to me. They couldn't look these overs first and get it right, spend an extra 5 mins looking OEMs over top to bottoms and see if they match repop exactly?
Ive been planning on buying a set for a while, and now I find this thread.
Just makes no sense at all to me. They couldn't look these overs first and get it right, spend an extra 5 mins looking OEMs over top to bottoms and see if they match repop exactly?
Ive been planning on buying a set for a while, and now I find this thread.