I'm on vacation and found a rust-free front bumper reenforcement bar off of a 91 Firebird (part number 10118418) at a scrap yard, and before I pull it, am wondering if it's compatable with my 90 Firebird. I'm talking about the black bar that is visible with the hood up right in back of the nose, NOT the hidden rectangular metal bar with the plastic absorbers on it. This bar has the cut-out holes for the turn signal lamps, although of course being on a 91 the lamps aren't there. The part number is different, but it appears an exact fit. I'd appreciate any feedback before I pull it and ship it back home since all the ones back in Florida are heavily rusted. I've seen 82-84s v. 85-90s discussed, but not 85-90's v. 91-92s.

 

Just to be 100% clear, you are talking about the piece that mounts to the bumper directly (using 7mm screws) and to the "fill plate" that the secondary hood latch goes into using 10mm bolts, correct? I've attached a (poor) picture of the piece I am talking about, circled in red.

I believe that they are the same. As I recall, I pulled one off of a 90 W68 car and put in on my 91 Formula. Hopefully someone else will chime in with a for sure answer. I also went out and looked at them in the cars and I couldn't see a difference between the 89 and 91.

 

I'm very surprised you are finding rusty parts here in Florida. Probably 90%+ of the cars I see in the yards have zero rust issues. If they do, it is minor. There are a few people here in Florida who part of 3rd gens so if you needed a specific part from a certain year(s) they most likely have it.


There is a guy in Ft. Myers(what is that like 1.5 - 2 hour drive from you?) who most likely has the part you need. He is also a member on here that has a good reputation. Bill33976. I met him not long ago, good guy. Shipping shouldn't be much since it isn't a long distance.

 

Right. It's the part you circled. Thanks for the help since I can't compare it to my own. I'm assuming they're the same due to the turn signal lamp holes being on both. If the part was changed, then the wouldn't have bothered stamping those holes since they aren't needed for the 91-92s. I'll pull it and let everyone know if they're the same once I get it to my house.

 

CharcoalBird - I'm having trouble with a lot of metal loss under the screw heads or bolts once I start pulling the parts in from scrap yards in FL - probably from trapped moisture. Maybe it's just a run of bad luck. I appreciate the lead for parts.

 

I found that even in my WA car with no rust, that bar had rust. I bet you are correct that moisture gets trapped in there, and even worse in the salty sea air of Florida.

 

Fyi they are different. Should not be hard to find the correct one.
steve

 

^ Agreed they are different, but the 91-92 supports are in high demand so you can recoup your cost plus some

 

Can anyone explain exactly what is different? I looked at them side by side, albeit on the car, but I couldn't find a difference.

 

Sure

Look at the turn signals, the bar dips down on the older versions. For 91-92 the turn signals were mounted low in the nose, so the bar is strait across

 

The bar isn't straight across, though. It dips down the same. I just walked out to my 1992 Firebird and took this picture. I circled the two holes where in a 85-90 the turn signal would mount, and also outlines where it dips down, same as 85-90.

 

The front is different. Nose is flush in height with headlight door on 91/92. I have good early ones but had to fix one of my later ones to install my formula bumper. It is about 2 inches taller. If you had them off its easy to see the difference.
Pocket is correct, 91/92 nongfx and all there parts are valuable these days. hth

 

I went and checked on the bar I pulled from my 91 Formy. There is a metal piece that was spot welded on that runs straight across where the turn signals would normally go. That does explain what it still has all the provisions for the 85-90 turn signals, GM appears to have just added a piece to the existing part.

I wonder if you removed the couple of spots welds holding that bar on if it would then work on the 85-90, though it would probably be best to just sell it and buy a correct 85-90 one.

 

Oh man OP, you bring tools and hit junkyards on vacation?

 

Sure did! . Working on my Firebird by going to the junkyard makes the perfect vacation!


I was going to post pictures since I realized it is different than the 85-90s once I pulled it, especially at both ends, but the other posters covered this. Thanks! At least I saved a rust-hole free 91-92 support bar from being crushed.