Thread: You didn't like my flamed grille insert, what about this one?

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I think you might like it. Plus- it was a deal that was too good to pass up.

Brand spankin' new Dan Fink straight bar polished stainless grille.
Retails for upwards of $800.00, I scored it for 600 bucks.
The insurance on my freeway incident is covering a $360.00 Dales or Vintique replacement. Bottom line is... it's only costing me the difference!
I'll take it to SoCal Friday so Ryan can fit it to the new Brookville shell.

I was surprised at how heavy it is! Really well made.

Much better. I have a Dan Fink grille on my '27, had it done many years back. His workmanship is top notch, you'll love yours. He builds them out of very strong rectangular bar stock so they don't bend up easily.

Don

Now thats a nice grille, good choice

Man, if I didn't have bad luck...................I'd have no luck at all.

Took it to SoCal. WTF? Not even close to a fit! We tried it in a Brookville shell & a Vintique. No luck. There's a 3/4" gap towards bottom on each side.
Hard to explain but it looks like the contour for the top of grille is on bottom & bottom contour is on top! Lay it in one way & top & bottoms fit fine but gaps on sides at bottom. Flip it over & sides are very close to correct but top & bottom are waaaay off.
Again, WTF???????

Maybe it was custom made to fit a shell that was narrowed at the the base by like 1 1/2"?

Looks like I'm going w/ a Dales grille afterall. No way can I get a DF for my car in time for paint.

Plus- unless the seller refunds me- I'm out 600 bucks!!!!
Anyone wanna buy a grille? All you have to do is narrow the bottom of your shell so it will fit!

Dan Fink grilles are custom made to each shell, I forgot to mention that. I had to send my shell to them and they made the insert just for it.

Maybe your seller has the shell it was made for.

Don

Looks good 2 me

Originally Posted by Steves32

Looks like I'm going w/ a Dales grille afterall. No way can I get a DF for my car in time for paint.

CONGRATULATIONS
I prefer the original look anyways ...

Very nice - sorry to hear that it doesn't fit well. You still, as long as you are honest about the fit problems, should have no problem recouping your money on EBay

Every so often I scroll up the Dan Fink website, drool on my keyboard until sanity returns. With the problems that I had fitting my Dale's to my POS lop sided Brookville shell, I might reconsider in a few years - but I doubt it!!

(...and, as always, I'm waiting for your comment, Deuce )

Originally Posted by IC2

(...and, as always, I'm waiting for your comment, Deuce )

I have NEVER put you down, nor your projects.
As a fellow who has spent the better part of the last 2 months trying to get my 32 Ford 3W to fit ... like I want it to ... I am the LAST guy to be critical of other folks projects and the fit they work towards ...

I believe this d@^* coupe is possessed.
Original car on it's original frame with all the original sheet metal ( except the hood ) and it all fits like poo.
The BEST fitting thing on it is the HOOD.

I have that very same grill insert in my '32. Dan Fink's grill inserts are works of art. And they will withstand a little more of a hit than an original repro grill. You lucky dog--I had to pay $800.00 for mine!

Originally Posted by Deuce

I have NEVER put you down, nor your projects.
As a fellow who has spent the better part of the last 2 months trying to get my 32 Ford 3W to fit ... like I want it to ... I am the LAST guy to be critical of other folks projects and the fit they work towards ...

C'mon Deuce - it's a joke. Didn't you see the smilies??? Have a cup of coffee!!

And yes, you have ragged on me about my Brookville complaints both here and Hotrodders.com

Ebay is a very good place to buy parts at a price that is just too good to be true. I've been ripped a few times where the item was priced in the hundreds! Man, that still hurts! I hope the seller will work with you on it. My Dale's insert was a very tight fit in the Brookville shell before I started working the shell opening and I am still concerned that the fit will still be too tight after painting. I am pleased with the Dale's, but the Dan Fink insert is in a class by itself. Making repro parts fit seems to be a part of building a street rod. Your problem seems to be a new twist on the shell/insert fit problem. Dang!

Originally Posted by deuce4papa

it. My Dale's insert was a very tight fit in the Brookville shell before I started working the shell opening and I am still concerned that the fit will still be too tight after painting. I am pleased with the Dale's, but the Dan Fink insert is in a class by itself. Making repro parts fit seems to be a part of building a street rod. Your problem seems to be a new twist on the shell/insert fit problem. Dang!

I, too was concerned but was pleasantly surprised when after paint my Dale's went into the poorly crafted Brookville shell. It slipped into place. Dress any sharp edges on the insert surround.

There are several more areas on the shell that need help. The upper right at the bead - it's distorted where the hood fits. Both sides of the top peak are low. Looking down the sides - there is a depressed tooling mark that needs work. This, after Brookville assured me that they had corrected those manufacturing screw ups, still existed with the 2-3 shells that I saw at my dealer and at their display at NSRA York last year. These 'defects' cost me significant hours of repairs.

My Son Don is using a Dales insert in his T. The workmanship is actually quite good and they seem like nice people to deal with. His is in a Total Performance glass shell and it fit perfectly (the second time.........the first one was mismarked as being for a 6 1/2 inch chopped shell, but it was actually for a 4 & 1/2 inch chopped shell, but they took care of that with no hassles.)

Don

Originally Posted by Itoldyouso

My Son Don is using a Dales insert in his T. The workmanship is actually quite good and they seem like nice people to deal with. His is in a Total Performance glass shell and it fit perfectly (the second time.........the first one was mismarked as being for a 6 1/2 inch chopped shell, but it was actually for a 4 & 1/2 inch chopped shell, but they took care of that with no hassles.)

Don

The Dale's inserts are, IMHO, absolutely perfect. Its just the shell that.... oh crap, you already have heard my rant about it

I do like his 'bucket and at this time of year miss mine