My original lower filler panel (I think that's what you call it) was broken in half when I bought the car. The previous owner had purchased a NOS replacement from Chrysler that I have painted. I went to test fit it tonight, (I know, should have done that before paint) and found it very difficult to get into position. Basically the two center plastic pressure clips on the bottom of the filler panel that slide over the metal of the lower valance did not want to slide on. After some delicate sanding I got them to slide over the metal but the center of the filler panel exposes more of the metal than the sides and I'm not sure if this is correct or is it supposed to be even all the way along the edge? I tried to find some close up pictures of original cars, but couldn't find any closeup pictures of this area. I've attached some pics of the area I'm concerned about circled in red. Is this correct or should the metal show equal distance from the edge of the filler panel the entire length of the panel?
Second question; screws attach the upper outside corners of the panel. Are these supposed to be a chrome headed or black phosphate screw and what size? The panel has a fairly large indent where the screw head goes in indicating that the screw head is fairly large. All the grille fastener kits only show four chrome headed screws which I assume are for the head light bezels.
Lastly, does the the rest of the filler panel attach to the valance metal tabs with the same size hex head screws that are used with the grille? I did numerous searches for filler panel fasteners and couldn't find anything listed separate from the grille fastening hardware and the service manual does not show enough detail to be of any help.
I know that the reproduction one I bought didn't fit as well as my original. I ended up punting on using the repro and just restored my original instead. The reproduction ones come with the Mopar part number and pentastar so maybe it's possible that yours is a reproduction?
MEGA Parts sells the hardware kit.....the back three are just large push pins... :alan2cents:
http://www.megapartsusa.com/proddetail.asp?prod=132-VIH344
Thanks Alan. The information is very much appreciated. :twothumbsup: :worship: I just ordered it.
R/T Specialties also sells them for $6.00 instead of $10.00
http://www.rtspecialties.net/proddetail.asp?prod=1000344
What E-bodies are these front valance filler panels used on. My '70 Challenger doesn't have one, but the previous owner who 'restored' the car might have decided not to deal with it.
Quote from: filmsurgeon on January 17, 2018, 04:48:46 PM
What E-bodies are these front valance filler panels used on. My '70 Challenger doesn't have one, but the previous owner who 'restored' the car might have decided not to deal with it.
Sorry, I not familiar with other years or e-bodies besides the '70'Cuda. Alan would know if he checks back in.
Quote from: Jim AAR on January 17, 2018, 03:58:40 PM
R/T Specialties also sells them for $6.00 instead of $10.00
http://www.rtspecialties.net/proddetail.asp?prod=1000344
Thanks Jim. I checked R/Ts and Mega Parts sites several times and could never find them. Guess you have to use the correct terminology when doing a search. :-[ :o :dunno:
Quote from: filmsurgeon on January 17, 2018, 04:48:46 PM
What E-bodies are these front valance filler panels used on. My '70 Challenger doesn't have one, but the previous owner who 'restored' the car might have decided not to deal with it.
Never mind. A quick Google search seems to indicate they are used on 'Cudas, not Challengers.
Quote from: usraptor on January 17, 2018, 04:59:40 PM
Quote from: Jim AAR on January 17, 2018, 03:58:40 PM
R/T Specialties also sells them for $6.00 instead of $10.00
http://www.rtspecialties.net/proddetail.asp?prod=1000344
Thanks Jim. I checked R/Ts and Mega Parts sites several times and could never find them. Guess you have to use the correct terminology when doing a search. :-[ :o :dunno:
Got me the first time as well because I did a search with valAnce but I had seen them on R/T before, so I tried valEnce and there they were.
Both sites spell it valEnce and not valAnce, but neither really fit.
I would think that valAnce is a better fit. :notsure:
Definition of valEnce: the combining power of an element, especially as measured by the number of hydrogen atoms it can displace or combine with.
Definition of valAnce: a length of decorative drapery attached to the canopy or frame of a bed in order to screen the structure or the space beneath it. :looney: ::)
Quote from: filmsurgeon on January 17, 2018, 05:01:11 PM
Quote from: filmsurgeon on January 17, 2018, 04:48:46 PM
What E-bodies are these front valance filler panels used on. My '70 Challenger doesn't have one, but the previous owner who 'restored' the car might have decided not to deal with it.
Never mind. A quick Google search seems to indicate they are used on 'Cudas, not Challengers.
The lower valance insert is used on all 1972-74 Dodge Challenger models
Quote from: anlauto on January 17, 2018, 01:46:37 PM
MEGA Parts sells the hardware kit.....the back three are just large push pins... :alan2cents:
http://www.megapartsusa.com/proddetail.asp?prod=132-VIH344
Negative, 70 used bolts, not push pins like 71-74.
Quote from: HEMICUDA on January 22, 2018, 12:15:08 AM
Quote from: anlauto on January 17, 2018, 01:46:37 PM
MEGA Parts sells the hardware kit.....the back three are just large push pins... :alan2cents:
http://www.megapartsusa.com/proddetail.asp?prod=132-VIH344
Negative, 70 used bolts, not push pins like 71-74.
Would like to see proof of that please.
Quote from: anlauto on January 22, 2018, 03:38:29 AM
Quote from: HEMICUDA on January 22, 2018, 12:15:08 AM
Quote from: anlauto on January 17, 2018, 01:46:37 PM
MEGA Parts sells the hardware kit.....the back three are just large push pins... :alan2cents:
http://www.megapartsusa.com/proddetail.asp?prod=132-VIH344
Negative, 70 used bolts, not push pins like 71-74.
Would like to see proof of that please.
I need to prove that to you? Nope. I've never worked on a 70 that had the push pins and neither does my 3,900 mile survivor 6pk.
Quote from: HEMICUDA on January 22, 2018, 04:41:49 AM
Quote from: anlauto on January 22, 2018, 03:38:29 AM
Quote from: HEMICUDA on January 22, 2018, 12:15:08 AM
Quote from: anlauto on January 17, 2018, 01:46:37 PM
MEGA Parts sells the hardware kit.....the back three are just large push pins... :alan2cents:
http://www.megapartsusa.com/proddetail.asp?prod=132-VIH344
Negative, 70 used bolts, not push pins like 71-74.
Would like to see proof of that please.
I need to prove that to you? Nope. I've never worked on a 70 that had the push pins and neither does my 3,900 mile survivor 6pk.
Yes, could you please show me pictures ?
:popcorn:
I actually used j nuts and bolts on my 71. I didn't like the way it fit with the correct push pins. Re pop valance and re pop lower filler panel just wouldn't hold tight enough for me.
Quote from: anlauto on January 22, 2018, 04:47:55 AM
Quote from: HEMICUDA on January 22, 2018, 04:41:49 AM
Quote from: anlauto on January 22, 2018, 03:38:29 AM
Quote from: HEMICUDA on January 22, 2018, 12:15:08 AM
Quote from: anlauto on January 17, 2018, 01:46:37 PM
MEGA Parts sells the hardware kit.....the back three are just large push pins... :alan2cents:
http://www.megapartsusa.com/proddetail.asp?prod=132-VIH344
Negative, 70 used bolts, not push pins like 71-74.
Would like to see proof of that please.
I need to prove that to you? Nope. I've never worked on a 70 that had the push pins and neither does my 3,900 mile survivor 6pk.
Yes, could you please show me pictures ?
You're the one making the contrary stated, show me a "true" documented survivor 70 Cuda with push pins.
Like everybody else on this web site, I'm just trying to learn from the Master :worship:
There are a lot of 70 Cuda owners on this web site....Can anybody provide pictures of original cars and the hardware used to attach the lower valance insert? :takepicture:
@VCODE (https://forum.e-bodies.org/mlist/vcode_855) ?
:popcorn:
Oops my bad, I thought they were push pins (I haven't had this apart since the early 80's) my old timers disease kicking in.
They are Screwed in with (5) Screws and clips (1 on each side at the top that are revealed and 3 on the back side that are NOT revealed). These aren't the correct screws though, I remember now that I stripped them taking them off and couldn't get or find the correct Phillips screws so I used Hex Head screws.
Couldn't get a pic of the clips without taking the Valance off though and I'm not doing that, and the middle one is missing the screw.
Pics aren't great, but it's not easy to photograph on the car.
Found a couple of pics in the 1970 Plymouth Service manual that show they were screws with J-Nuts or U-Nuts (hard to tell from the pic's and I can't see them when its mounted) and not push pins on 1970's.
Thanks Jim, If you look at the first picture you attached and at the "Air Shield Trim" towards the center of the Trim piece is pictured a "Retainer" that looks to me like a push pin especially if you enlarge the picture. The Air Shield Trim is what I'm referring to when I say Valance Filler Panel, not the metal valance itself or the lower metal air shield. Yes the Valance and Air shield are held on with "J" nuts and bolts, but I believe Alan is correct in that the Air Shield Trim appears to be attached with three push pins and two screws. Sorry if I confused everybody about what I was asking the question about.
Quote from: usraptor on January 23, 2018, 01:21:24 PM
Thanks Jim, If you look at the first picture you attached and at the "Air Shield Trim" towards the center of the Trim piece is pictured a "Retainer" that looks to me like a push pin especially if you enlarge the picture. The Air Shield Trim is what I'm referring to when I say Valance Filler Panel, not the metal valance itself or the lower metal air shield. Yes the Valance and Air shield are held on with "J" nuts and bolts, but I believe Alan is correct in that the Air Shield Trim appears to be attached with three push pins and two screws. Sorry if I confused everybody about what I was asking the question about.
I know you meant the Air Shield trim. It is possible that its held on by retainers on the (3) rear ones that you can't see. One way to tell for sure is if the (3) holes in the rear of the Valance that the Air Shield attaches to are round holes because that is the only way that the Retainers would work in them. If they are elongated (long oval) holes then they would be held on with J or U nuts and screws. I can't see mine because it's mounted on the car and I can't get a good look at it or take a good picture of it.
Either way you have to put the Air Shield on the Valance prior to installing it on the car or it's hard to put on after, especially the Rear Center holder retainer or screw because the Hood Lock Vertical Support is in the way. That's probably why mine doesn't have a screw or retainer in the Rear Center one because I bought a new OEM Air Shield from Chrysler because my original one was cracked and I put it together with the old cracked one after the car was painted because the new Air Shield wasn't painted black yet and I wanted to drive the car. The Valance was already installed on the car and I probably didn't want to take the Valance off the car and possibly damage the paint on the Valance because it was still pretty fresh. my memory of this is spotty as I did it in the early 80's.
They most likely switched from screws to retainers at some point in the 70 model year....as pointed out by Jim's illustrations :alan2cents:
Thanks Jim and Alan. I check the holes tomorrow to see if they're round or elongated.