Cadillac & LaSalle Club Discussion Forum

Cadillac & LaSalle Club Forums => General Discussion => Topic started by: SpaceShipKing on July 02, 2014, 08:45:38 AM

Title: 78' Coupe DeVille tail lights and bumper issues!
Post by: SpaceShipKing on July 02, 2014, 08:45:38 AM
I recently purchased a 78' Coupe DeVille and I LOVE IT! 425ci 6.0L V8 and still runs strong thru the drive-line, picked it up for a good price, but only issue is the tail lights are sitting so far off the body panel. I heard it is something to do with bumper shocks, and being rear ended, either replace them, or take them out an drill new holes to try mcguiver it and slide it back in? Any information regarding this would be awesome, I've uploaded a few pictures, enjoy the view! :)
Title: Re: 78' Coupe DeVille tail lights and bumper issues!
Post by: Smedly on July 02, 2014, 08:55:00 AM
Jason your new car is a beauty. I would not try to MacIver it. There are replacement filler panels available for your car, they are currently missing from your car. I am sure others will chime in on a good source to get them from near you.
Sheldon Hay
Title: Re: 78' Coupe DeVille tail lights and bumper issues!
Post by: Eric DeVirgilis CLC# 8621 on July 02, 2014, 09:08:06 AM
USA Body Fillers

http://www.autobodyfillersusa.com/servlet/Categories?category=Cadillac

The replacement fillers are plastic and will need some talent to get them to fit. You'll probably need the three silver pieces between the bumper and trunk lid (visible only with trunk open).

Good luck and welcome to the forum.
Title: Re: 78' Coupe DeVille tail lights and bumper issues!
Post by: SpaceShipKing on July 02, 2014, 09:49:29 AM
Thank you Sheldon for the quick reply useful information, and compliment. I just found them on eBay as well! I don't plan on MacIver'n anhing on this beauty to be honest, thanks again! :)
Title: Re: 78' Coupe DeVille tail lights and bumper issues!
Post by: Smedly on July 02, 2014, 09:52:29 AM
Jason, I notice the Canadian flag, and Ontario Plates. Where you from?
Sheldon Hay
Title: Re: 78' Coupe DeVille tail lights and bumper issues!
Post by: SpaceShipKing on July 02, 2014, 10:13:33 AM
I'm from Kitchener, Ontario.  8)
Title: Re: 78' Coupe DeVille tail lights and bumper issues!
Post by: SpaceShipKing on July 02, 2014, 10:51:50 AM
Okay, got'cha! Thank you Roy, and Beautiful DeVille you have.  :)
Title: Re: 78' Coupe DeVille tail lights and bumper issues!
Post by: Barry M Wheeler #2189 on July 02, 2014, 09:40:36 PM
You have to take the bumper off as well to do this right. I am facing the job and will probably have Maaco do it as they did the car. Otherwise, you have to use a floor jack to balance the bumper on while it's loose.
Title: Re: 78' Coupe DeVille tail lights and bumper issues!
Post by: Dan LeBlanc on July 02, 2014, 09:57:54 PM
Jason

You have an email from the moderators that requires your attention.
Title: Re: 78' Coupe DeVille tail lights and bumper issues!
Post by: Barry M Wheeler #2189 on July 03, 2014, 09:12:55 AM
Maybe it was the "grey" parts under the trunk I was thinking of. After I get back from the east coast and my eye surgery, I'll try taking out just the chrome tail lamps. It certainly would be less annoying not to have to take the bumper off. Sorry for any misdirection.
Title: Re: 78' Coupe DeVille tail lights and bumper issues!
Post by: Eric DeVirgilis CLC# 8621 on July 03, 2014, 10:29:44 AM
Quote from: Roy Schroeder on July 02, 2014, 10:37:44 PM
Don't know what the gain would be in taking the whole bumper off, but to each their own.
I had no problems getting at anything, and the body shop had no complaints once I dropped it off for painting.
Two bolts and the tail lights are off.
Seems like a lot of extra work.
Roy

My shop took the complete bumper off too - I guess it up to the shop's discretion. The bolts for the end pieces tend to get rustier and more difficult to remove than the nuts for the center section, so that may be a another reason.

The rear center must be removed if you need to replace the silver piece below the fuel door - which was also the case with my car.
Title: Re: 78' Coupe DeVille tail lights and bumper issues!
Post by: SpaceShipKing on July 05, 2014, 09:12:12 AM
I'm going to do this job myself in the next week or so as I recently ordered a pair of the body fillers for $100 on eBay, and my father told me that growing up a child of the 70's around these cars owning them and driving them most his young adolescent life, they're full frame cars and the bumper could simply be removed the fillers slip in than the bumper back into place. However if I find it is possible you can remove just the tail lights with a few bolts, I'll simply do that instead.

I'm glad I bought the car, honestly it needs a bit of work here and their however it's an amazing car. I might sound like a new person to the scene as I am, this is my first "old school car" I'll have ever owned and I'm in love with it, as much as the gas prices are spiking every day, I can't put into words what cars like this mean to me.

However getting back on point and subject, if anybody has pictures or more info on the topic let me know as I'm going to be facing the job in a week from now. :)

Enjoy y'all.