Does anyone know how to remove the stainless front skins on my 1947 Buick Grill Teeth. Each tooth has a carbon-steel grill bar that's part of the grill assembly. Then there's a stainless steel front cover that fits onto the steel back bar. I got one on Ebay to replace a dented one on my '47. But before I go breaking something by hammering or prying the old one off, I'd like to get some info about how they are attached to the steel backing piece. I can't see any tabs or fasteners. Can anybody help to shed some light on this before I bust something (again)....thanks.
Would it be feasible to cut the steel backing piece beyond the edge of the stainless cap and weld in into the other shell, leaving the bond between the steel and stainless undesturbed? Ray
Not really...My new piece has no backing piece (and no evidence of how it was fastened). It's just the front skin/cap. I need to get the old "skin" off, and the new one on. It almost looks like it's pressed on, or form fit with no fasteners....Also no room to cut and weld.....dunno?? Thanks.
My Buick shop manual says; "Radiator grille is one piece welded stamping with detachable three-piece frame". Looking at the bars, I'd bet the skins are pressed (shrunk) over the frame bars, not meant to be removable. You should find an old timer Buick body craftsman to find out if there are tricks to replace the "skin"... You might want to try the Guru's over the AACA Buick pages; http://forums.aaca.org/forum/57-buick-post-war/
Have you tried contacting the person from whom you bought the replacement 'skin' ? If it's NOS, that may not help, but if used, somebody had to remove it. Failing that, you might try a heat gun and very thin putty knife to drive between the old skin and support. The old one is already damaged, not much to lose by trying. Ray
My 52 Buick grille was built the same way and the stainless caps will pry off and the replacement should just snap back on. I would think the 47 would be much the same. I removed all of the stainless then painted the steel frame before installing the freshly polished stainless caps. You can see the pictures of the grille on my flickr photo site at: https://www.flickr.com/photos/buickfan/albums/72157604632746603
I think I'll try to pry the old dented one off (I suspected a tight fit held it on, but wanted some advice). The guy who sold the part did not know how it was taken off. Thanks for your input on this. I'm a bit more confident now. I'll post he outcome.
Unfortunately, no. It WAS for sale but at a price too rich for me. I am a Buick fan, have a couple now ('38 and '41 Special Coupes) and have had a few others in the past. I didn't think the owner(s) of the Roadmaster would object to it getting some exposure. Thanks for asking, though .... Ray
I believe there just pressed onto the frame I thought they had an edge that holds them on if you haven't tried yet let me know I got two grilles laying around here one is beat I will pry and beat that one to find out if you want
Hey my47Buicksuper, I'm thinking of prying the old one off. If you could try this on one of your teeth that are already damaged, I'd like to know how it goes...before I get into it and break something. Thanks.
The Jalopy Journal
