Quote Originally Posted by 406Rich View Post
Factory grille for the standard model and running without the side panels, ( covered in the garage) for the connector rod I`used a piece of half inch tubing, massaged it to clear the lower portion of my electric fan welded nuts on it and bolted it back on, and also just got thru making a lower air dam on the very bottom of the chin to kick more air into the radiator ( still in the rough stage ), thinking of building new inner fender panels, more in the way of a frame work with no inner panels at all.
My grill is an aftermarket that I bought when my dad first built the car back in the 80's. They are notorious for not being the greatest fit. It was made in Argentina, which is the same place most of the aftermarket grills come from today. My inner fenders have been modified to clear the Mustang II upper A arms. The cut out was beefed up so they're pretty strong. I've never run it without the side panels because my engine compartment was never very attractive before this rebuild, plus I think the side panels add strength and rigidity to the front end. My grill was much more solid with the side panels bolted to it. The lower piece that joins the bottom of the fenders & grill is in tact and strong. I have also fashioned a connector rod out of some tubing but don't quite have it right yet.
My plan is to replace the rubber body mounts before I re-fit the front fenders so I can be sure it's all in the right place. Then I can deal with unsightly gaps as needed.