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TR4/4A TR4 Grill alignment/install

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Alex_McMillin

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Ok, I am installing the grill on my freshly painted 63 TR4 and desperately need help aligning it. I don't get it. The four mounting points on top, no problem, the turn indicator mounting, no problem, but the four mounting points on the bottom line up with the holes in the valance but are about 2 inches away. So, do I bend the grill to fit, use some kind of spacer, or what. Any pictures and advice would be much appreciated.

............Cheers, Alex
 
Hi Alex,

First thing you might do is tape off the freshly painted area around the grill to protect it from possible scratches. Use blue painter's tape. That usually won't damage the paint if it's not left on too long, no more than a couple days. Test the tape in a hidden area to be sure, though.

Yes, the grill might need some gentle bending to get a proper fit. That's particularly true if there was body work done in the area around it, and/or if the grill came off another car. Also, check that the mounting tabs at the top and bottom aren't bent in some way, throwing off the fit elsewhere. No spacers should be needed. Keep at it, I'm sure you'll get it to fit. Watch that there is no interference with the hood opening and closing, too (althought that's less likely with the 4 grill than the 4A grill).

Sorry, I can't provide any pictures... my TR4 has a 4A grill, just because I like the grill design better. I've also got issues where body repairs around the front have the entire grill/valance off center... a future repair project!

Alan Myers
San Jose, Calif.
'62 TR4 CT17602L
 
The TR4 grille is not true vertical... i.e. the top edge of the grille is farther forward than the bottom edge. The grille also sweeps back a bit from the center.

I'd be happy to send along photos of my 64 with an original grille but am not sure what would be most helpful. Here is one shot showing the grille slant I described...

MVC-695F.JPG
 
Two inches away! that is a big gap. I have a TR4A but I also have a TR4 grill that came with it and I notice that the TR4 grill has some "tabs" that ammount to about two inches in length. I am wondering if these tabs are missing from your grill. I have a picture of the TR4 grill (with the tabs)on my left over parts page https://ca.geocities.com/adrio@rogers.com/forsale.htm it is the first item listed, just click on the picture link. I hope this helps.
 
Thanks everyone. The tabs at the top of the grill are no problem. Where I'm running into grief is getting the tabs at the bottom to rest against the lower mounting holes on the body. I can secure the top and sides where the turn indicators mount to the car, but I then have to bend the grill quite a bit in order for the bottom edge to get close to the body mounting holes.

Geo, thanks for the photo. I would appreciate any others you have that might help.

...........Cheers, Alex
 
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