Engine lid grill difference

[freezing14]

Ok I am working on details while its freezing here
I have 2 engine lid grill
I know one is wrong as it is a 5 bar grill and ot was painted so i am redoing it
It can be taken apart to be stripped and polished
The aluminum bars have a T shape to them
With a depression in the middle and the finish is polished aluminium
Which i know is right for up to 68
But 68.5 and later is not clear
I read that there is a 68 69 only thing
The other grill i have is all black and the bars are U shape
So is this a 70 and later or the correct one

Is the right one a T shape with no depression and polished or a U shape polished

The U shape does not look like it can be taken apart

[freezing14]

Ok after a bit of further reseach i found that the griĺl i have is in deed a late 68 which is correct for my car

Now 2 more questions
Were all grills were polished aluminium or were there some black ones
If they are all bright how do you remove the bars without mangling them

[Cliff]

Late 68 & 69 are shinny & have three vertical straps. 70 & 71 are shinny & have five verticle straps. 72 & 73 are black and have five verticle straps......cliff

[freezing14]

Ok so i know it needs to be shiny now and that u have the right grill
In order to strip it how do i remove the bars without mangling them
Anyone done it before successfully

[Puma]

While the grill looks simple restoring it is a major undertaking. I can almost guarantee you'll break parts in the dis-assembly. I have at least twenty-thirty hours in mine so far and it still doesn't look that great.

[9er]

The U shape bars can be lifted off for refurbishing and replaced and of course they are numbered to make it easier for reassembly.

[freezing14]

Are they glued in
Press fit
Whats the best way to take them out

[freezing14]

Ok so i decided to give ot a try after carefull examination

I used a small precision screw driver to spread the bar . The sides are easy but the middle is a bit tough because the mesh blocks the way
But after careful prying its comming apart easily
And you can even see the original crimp marks at each location
I will strip all the bars paint the mesh and recrimp
I dont know what the original tool looks like but i am sure a a pair of carefull grinded pliers will do the trick
More to follow