Grill removal

[smart i am]

I need help getting the grill off to replace with chrome grill. The clips are so stiff. I can get the one through the wheel well, but that is it. Any hints would be greatly appreciated.

[smart i am]

Am I the only one trying to put on a chrome grill? Big mistake I guess!

[Lgaruti]

Can't help with the removal but what's the source for the grill?

[RussBarnes]

When I installed my air horn I had to remove the front fenders and to do that I had to remove the rocker panels. No biggy since I wanted them painted anyway.

Anyway, after getting at the back I took my large pocket knife and applied pressure to each clip and it came out easy. It was about impossible otherwise to remove from the front. I wanted it out to paint to match body since I don't like the look of silver, or chrome, on a white car. It took a couple hours to R&R all the front parts.

Wish I could find a screen kit to put behind the grille to block bugs and stones, but so far the only ones are for the 450's.

[smart i am]

I got the chrome parts from :
Paul BridlePBridle@penskeautomotive.com
PM smart ctr RR (512)493-9076 www.smartcenterroundrock.com
Paul is great! Very knowledgeable. I ordered on Monday and it went out on Monday! Superb service! I would Definitely use them again.
Just call him

[BeSmart]

Originally Posted by RussBarnes

Wish I could find a screen kit to put behind the grille to block bugs and stones, but so far the only ones are for the 450's.

Russ, where did you find the screens for the 450's? Thanks for the info.

[jonnysan]

Originally Posted by RussBarnes

When I installed my air horn I had to remove the front fenders and to do that I had to remove the rocker panels. No biggy since I wanted them painted anyway.

Anyway, after getting at the back I took my large pocket knife and applied pressure to each clip and it came out easy. It was about impossible otherwise to remove from the front. I wanted it out to paint to match body since I don't like the look of silver, or chrome, on a white car. It took a couple hours to R&R all the front parts.

Wish I could find a screen kit to put behind the grille to block bugs and stones, but so far the only ones are for the 450's.

I would not be too quick to install a bug screen in front of the radiator. Depending on how fine you go, and believe it or not, that screen could create excessive resistance to flow or backpressure and you may wind up overheating your engine due to insufficient air flow, especially if you live in a hot area of the country.
Be careful of that and remember you don't have a water temp gauge. By the time the idiot light goes on, you've already likely cooked the aluminum head and warped it.

John

[FWOIII]

To put the chrome grill on you will need to remove the hood flap, then remove most screws that hold on the front fenders so you can get your hand in behind the existing grill. And it gets more involved, so I let my smart tech do it.

[RussBarnes]

Be Smart - it was on eBay and I messaged him to see if they fit the 451, but no.

JonnySan - for sure dude. But these screens were coarse enough to catch the bugs that dent condenser fins, but not so fine as to plug from gnats. And P.S. I have a temperature gauge, it is called a ScanGauge, so watch who you challenge. My smart cycles between 173 and 189 on a 65 degree day. What I don't like is the air inlet temperature because on that same day it is in the low 100's that reduces power - Jonny San, what is your air inlet temperature????

[smart i am]

After several hours , I finally did it. The chrome package looks great!!
1. First I removed the 3 screws underneath the hood.
2. I then removed the 2 black push in screws by the headlights.
3. Then I used a flat 1" putty knife into each tab. Put black electrical tape on the bumper in order not to scratch. This is very tricky!! I undid the upper tabs first, then took the black grill out. The lower ones on the ends are tricky. You end up doing a lot of pulling etc. Finally it came out.

Not a job I would recommend !!!

Just glad its over!