What is the 37 grill made of? It is not chrome, it looks like galvanized metal or maybe silver paint. Is there supposed to be those caged nuts on it? The center bottom piece is missing, is it just a short piece or an emblem?
The center bottom piece is the short "crank hole cover"..... there is an almost full length piece that covers the center bar. The emblem goes at the top of the center bar and should have a hole in to fasten it there. My old one from many years ago, appeared to be stainless but all I can say it was not very good! A new stainless repop will set you back over 400 bucks or close to 5. If yours is good I'd figure out a way to "save it". They can be a pistol to put in....... I used the door edge chrome stuff for the edges of the cowl and across the bottom. The missing piece is probably the one called the chin..... if so, it is available in fiberglass, or was. Check out JimCarters web site
Resident stovevbolter "6cylindersovertexas" is our guru for 37's and he is also the tech rep on VCCA for the 37/38. Check his profile and send him a private message or email. Joe is a super guy. Knows his stuff on 37 as he has had one for about 30 years!!
Good thing about the '37 truck grill is that all trucks from '37 use the same grill and outer trim, so expand you search for 1 tons and bigger. The main grill is a stamped metal, maybe a mix of stainless steel and regular steel, not real sure, it's been years since I have had my hands on an original. The outer trim that goes around the grill and clips to the painted area is stainless steel. The only cast piece is the hood ornament, and it is a pot metal type material with chrome platting. The grills were for sure shinny, so chrome plated would not be out of the question. And as Alvin pointed out, the missing piece is for the engine crank handle to pass through. Not real sure how it was held on, mine never had one. No cage nuts held the grill in place. On the back of the grill surround or core support, there is a number of small metal tabs you bend over the grill to hold it. Most of mine were broke off so it was hard to figure out how it was held in place. The outer stainless trim is held on with small " Z " shaped clips you can purchase. The outer pieces go on first, then the grill is put in from radiator side. If there was any damage to the front end and metal work has been done, expect a fight getting the grill in!
I refurbished the grill on my ‘37 about 7 years ago. As I recall, have photos somewhere, the grill sides were held in place with a type of cage nuts. Several were broken off apparently from collision damage. I recall this because after straightening the grill bars and polishing all the related parts then reinstalling it, I had to use a different type of “clip on” cage nut. I think I found them at Fastenal. The real joy came in the wrestling match to reinstall the grill assembly. Reaching up from the bottom to bolt in the upper bolts was not possible with my arm length. Son came over and his longer arms made it a quick end to the misery. I also had to use short lengths of twine to pull and adjust to grill to seat or align in the opening while securing it in place with the bolts.
I'm joining in here because "Achipmunk" mentioned my name. That may or may not be a good reason for joining in and it looks like between Joe H and 46Sparky most everything has been covered . I have no reason to disagree with any one about how the grill is made or how the grill is installed, but I will tell you that my grill is held in place with the afore mentioned tabs. The tabs are down each side of the inside of the grill housing. The grill slips into the housing from the front and once it is in and snugged up against the housing front (from the back), the tabs are to be bent over the outside grill frame itself for it to be held in place. That may not be the right way to install it, but is sure is easy and it looks correct. Yes, you have to have long arms to bend the top tabs! The top trim for the grill is stainless and is held in place by screws across the top of it. That part, as most of you know is reproduced by several vendors. The side and bottom stainless pieces of the grill housing are made to slip on the edge of the grill housing which surrounds the grill itself. The crank hole cover, which is also stainless slips over or into the center bar of the grill to cover the crank hole. Those pieces are also reproduced in stainless. The one thing that I don't know is if the original grills were stainless. Mine is not stainless. I do not think it is the original, but since part of the original grills were painted, it is possible the original grill itself was not stainless. The grill was on the truck when I bought the truck 39 years ago. I recently had it chrome plated and it looks good. I painted the sides of each vertical grill bar, but left the front of each bar chrome. I hope this information is helpful.
Joe
"Truckin' Around .......... Since 1937!" My name is Joe and I am addicted to Classic Country Music. I just can't hep myself. Operators are standing by to take your calls! Now cruising in the Passing Lane
I now am uncertain the spot welded cage nut fasteners were factory installed? I do know the previous owner assembled the truck from at least one donor ‘37 and that the front end had at least some minor collision damage sometime during its previous road life. So, I need to qualify my previous statement about the cage nuts by saying this truck had them, whether they were/are factory correct or not is questionable. I will also agree, the clip installation feature would be a whole lot easier than wrestling with bolts and nuts, especially with the top end fastening!
I found some photos of the grill and cage nut set up I found on my ‘37. A PO used cage nuts and bolts at the top, middle and bottom on reach side. Oddly, there are holes in the grill sides that would appear to be “original” and match and align with the bolt/cage nut locations. If anyone wants to see the photos, send me a PM with your email address. It never occurred to me to question that fastening system.
Apparently the new feature isn’t compatible with an IPad? Tried several times without success.
Attached are two photos showing the grill with the holes for the bolts and a a photo showing the cage nuts. This appears to have been a modification by a previous owner, based on the info posted by others previously.
Thank you all for your help. It still hard to picture, but I have a vague idea. Yes, the outer rim is stainless with 3 holes on each side. The center is tin I guess, maybe it was painted but all the paint is gone. There are no tabs that can be bent. It is in good shape, not bent up. There is no outer piece or chin with the pieces I got. There is some bondo on the two front panels that the radiator fits onto I think, so I guess I will have trouble when the time comes. I am just working on panels, fenders right now. I would like to see a pu to see how it is put together, hard to tell for me from pictures. I want to find a 235 to put into the frame before I try to assemble anything. Cab ok, two front fenders - good, one back fender ok, the other back fender terrible., both doors - good. I have spent two weeks on the fender, I can't hurt it so good learning. Anyway the grill bugs me and I need to see about getting parts for it before I need them.
Check Truck Parts for Sale if you are looking for an engine.
Martin '62 Chevy C-10 Stepside Shortbed (Restomod in progress) '47 Chevy 3100 5 Window (long term project) ‘65 Chevy Biscayne (Emily) ‘39 Dodge Business Coupe (Clarence) “I fought the law and the law won" now I are a retired one! Support those brave men/women who stand the "Thin Blue Line"! Hug a cop! USAF 1965-1969 Weather Observation Tech (I got paid to look at the clouds)
SP You are welcome to come over and see my ‘37. I sent you a PM with contact info. The OK Stovebolters are about due for a breakfast together again, so if you’re interested, get Justhorsenround to add you to the contact list.
