Ken,
Your page 52 sounds like it may be a reprint of my page 220. I don't believe P/N 7583 bumper should be cut due to interference with the brace you mention. There are two black bars that attach to studs on the firewall immediately above the trans tunnel. These bars which are a round cross section and flattened at each end, are attached to the "L" section at the outboard ends of this cowl stiffener. Memory tells me the bars are ~ 3/4" - 1" in dia. These black bars are used on all Bird bodies. I believe their intended purpose was to add some torsional rigidity to the dash & cowl while possibly dampening some cowl shake. I don't have a Body Parts book, so I can't reference a part number. Yes, you're right. Comparing these pieces to the Mustang shock tower bars was a very accurate analogy.
So don't scrap the bars! Something else is causing the problem.
On the subject of parts books: I'm running a little short on time right now and I would like to share some thoughts with everyone on that subject. Perhaps it could be the subject of another thread on this Forum.
Later, Tom
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