Too Much Space Between Between Bumper and Rear End

[ssiegel4]

I have a '73 convertible and made the decision to give the rear bumper the clean, tight look of the of the '71-72, so I followed the instructions in the screenshot below: I pried off the horizontal stone deflector "shelf," removed the rubber bumper fillers, then replaced the quarter panel end caps and bumper brackets with those from a '71. Now, for some reason, there is too much space between the bumper and the rear end (see pics). Please note I am aware that the bumper brackets from a '73 are deeper than those from a '71-72, and I definitely installed brackets from a genuine '71 vert. They are not reproductions. What could I have done wrong? The bumper is about 3/4" too far from the rear, which doesn't sound like a lot but it's considerable. The holes where the rubber bumper fillers were installed are clearly visible but should be covered by the curved part of the bumper. And in the shot from above the brackets are clearly visible. Please help!

 

[71ProjectJunk]

Seems to me that you just put your old 73 brackets in, instead of the 71 brackets, or the brackets you thought were 71's are in fact 73's. Remove the bumper and remove the brackets and check them with your old brackets. There should be a substantial height difference between the 2 sets of brackets.

 

[Jcloutier0722]

Here's reference position from a 72 survivor.

 

[ssiegel4]

Seems to me that you just put your old 73 brackets in, instead of the 71 brackets, or the brackets you thought were 71's are in fact 73's. Remove the bumper and remove the brackets and check them with your old brackets. There should be a substantial height difference between the 2 sets of brackets.

The pics show the bumper with the '71 brackets. There's no mistake.

 

[ssiegel4]

Thank you all, I had to cut some depth out of the steel '71 brackets then have them welded together (cost me $100 for a professional to do it). The bumper sits beautifully now.

 

[will e]

I am glad for you that you got it figure out!