71 grille in a 72

Hey guys, quick question. Am I able to run with a '71 grille in my '72? I am pretty sure I have a 71 hood and hood trim on right now. I am tired of trying to find a decent '72 GS grille.

Any clearance issues I should be aware of? Also, I seem to have a gap between the top of the grille and the bottom of the hood lip, is that due to the hood/grille combination I have right now? Would that close up with a 71 grille?

I don't have a picture of the space on the front, so I'll try to get one if you guys need. Here is a pic of the grille I am using right now... I know its not a GS grille but it came with the emblem when I bought it. o No:

 

if using a 72 grille with a 71 hood there will be a gap issue.72 grilles are alittle shorter because the hoodlip on the 72 hoods comes down.pics of your car and the gap can help explain a few things

 

contact gsx1 on this board he has been reconditioning 72 grilles has 2 for sale right now 400 look really nice

 

I hate to hijack but I have a related question.
Im looking for a hood for my 72
I thought all the hoods were the same from 70-72.
Or is it just the chrome trim that is different? (aside from the spring on the 70)

Would a hood from any year 70, 71, or 72 work on my 72 with my current chrome trim?

 

My understanding is the hoods are the same and will work on any year.(70 has NO hood pop up spring ) The hood trim is different for each year,as well as the headlight bezels. In order for the front end to fit together correctly,the three items need to be year specific. (Hood lip trim-Headlight bezels-Grille)I understand that some of these can interchange but there will be sacrifices in fitment.

 

Ill take your hood off ur hands when you find another :TU:

 

Dude you'll be first in line... you probably wouldn't even need to paint it its that close.

 

Thats what i was thinkin, just swap'em out :Brow:

 

If only it were that easy... but my project will take some time and I cant drive around without a hood. So i need to find a nice skylark hood first to do the scoop swap. But I promise, if you're still interested when it happens, I'll give ya good deal:beers2:

 

Haha, now that we pretty much hijacked this thread.. :laugh:
Ill prob still be interested whenever it happens :TU: But scoop swap is soundin like ur gunna cut the scoops outta the one you have...so..? lol

 

hehe no nothing like that.
I have a real GS hood thats damaged on the front lip and rusty. But solid every else. So I plan to find a nice skylark hood and make a good one out of the two. Leaving the one I have now untouched. The one on the car now is fiberglass, hence the "giving you a good deal" idea :beers2:

 

Ooooo, now it makes sense. Yea ill def take that fiberglass one when ur done w/ it :TU:

 

Here is some helpful info:

70-2 Skylark hoods are different

70 hoods have a recessed front lip and no pop-up spring
71-2 hoods are the same and have a pop-up spring

70-2 Skylark GS hoods are same except 70 versions
do not have the pop-up spring.


Also, for salvaging a GS hood....much easier and simplier to replace/repair the front rusted lip versus removing the scoops and putting them in a Skylark hood.

 

Thanks George for that... So if Im gonna do this I need a 71 or 72 skylark hood. correct? maybe you can confirm which skylark hood is most like the GS hood.

And the front lip and structure of the one I have is pretty messed up (rear ended something and rust. Id have to swap the whole front but I would worry that it would be strong.

 

71-2 Skylark hoods are the same as the GS hoods less scoops.

So, if you have patience and time.....use one of them to make a new GS hood. Before you remove the scoops.....make sure you take reference measurements and then transfer them to the Skylark hood.

When you remove the scoops, make sure you cut more material than you will splice in.....easier to trim metal away with air shears than add it.

Good Luck!

 

I appreciate the recommendations George.

I did plan to see if I could cut out the scoops following the bracing under the hood as much as I can. That way when welded into the skylark hood you would not see the modifications when the hood was open.

Maybe this would only complicate it more.
Hood insulation should hide anyway.

Once I find a nice 71-71 hood, I'll start this project and will do a write up of my progress.