Build that 71 402 already

[71CHEVYSHORTBED402]

Finally tearing down the body for paint. Some fine-tuning/prep under a dry-run.

Real trivial and probably means nothing to those handy around bodies, ever notice how the grille rubs the fender, at least on a lot of trucks? My project did before the dry run, badly on one side. With new cushions and the front clip otherwise assembled, both sides of the grille were still too close to the fender for my taste, and some of the holes didn't quite line up to attach the grille.

I suspect GM did or should have used shims to solve that, placed behind the brackets on the lower two bolts. I used just a thin washer and it solved both problems, the holes for rivets are nuts.

For what it's worth, the front of the fenders weren't shimmed before or after the dry run, and I had two sets of OEM brackets at my disposal. So I'm pretty sure the brackets should be shimmed as needed. Perhaps some brackets were made better, could tell you.

Cool tip compliments Jim, one of our cool posters. Rivet screws as opposed rivets for the grille. They take a Kep-nut, and look like they belong there. Same sheen or close the grille, better than new.

First pic is the project after the brackets were shimmed. Second is my C20. I suppose some could be contributed to body sag, but IMO it's more the brackets require shims.