Cracked Front Filler Panel
 

The front filler panel of my ’74 has cracked. I have read on this forum that this is a common problem. I see that several part suppliers including Ames have a rubber replacement filler panel available (p/n FB737LC). I also see that some quantity of NOS filler panels are also available from Ames (p/n FB737L). And, I see some mentions in older posts that a fiberglass version had been available in the past. There may have been problems with the fiberglass version not including the required mounting holes. I do not see any fiberglass panels available for sale today on the sites that I have searched.

I would appreciate any advice that you all have concerning replacement filler panels. Are all of the rubber replacement panels manufactured by the same company? Or does one part supplier have a better version than the others? Would a NOS panel be a good choice?

Thanks for any comments that you can provide.

This is going back a few years now. When I was restoring my TA I came across a NOS filler panel for sale locally. I picked it up and stored it away knowing I would need one when it came time to paint my car. When that time rolled around I pulled the filler panel out and it literally fell to peices in my hands. I believe it had simply deteriorated over time. I ended up tossing it a buying a repro one (can't recall from where).

I'd take a good reproduction over a truly NOS one.

Thank you Peter for your response and good information. I was wondering what a New Old Stock filler panel would be like, since I guess it would be something like 40 to nearly 50 years old by now. Your experience tells me that it would at best be a gamble, so as you suggest, I will look for a good reproduction.

If anyone has any experience with the reproduction filler panel that is offered by Ames, or by any of the other major part suppliers for our cars, I would greatly appreciate any feedback that you can provide. Or if anyone knows if they are all made by the same manufacturer, that would be good to know as well.

I used the one from the Parts Place. Had to grind about 1/8" off one end for a good fit. That's about it. Everything else about it fit well.

68tpls400,

Thank you, good to know that the one from TPP worked well for you.

Progress shot:

68tpls400 - great looking TA! And the filler panel looks perfect.

Thanks! Getting pretty close now. What a fun car to work on! Getting the original exhaust tips cleaned up for install.

IMO.... NOS is a bad choice. I've probably made what I thought was one smart move in my life, I purchased half a dozen of the fillers from Pontiac around 1990. They were stored in my climate controlled shop from day one. I used one on my SD TA and it cracked within six months. It's replacement is holding up so far. I used one on my 74 Formula and it cracked after a couple years. Then it's replacement lasted a year or so before it cracked. I noticed of the six I bought from GM two had what looked like black primer with a slight shine and four looked like flat black primer. The one with a shiny finish I didn't use, broke into pieces last time I picked it up.... And kept breaking as it found its way to the garbage can. I'm now in the process of prepping one I bought from the Parts Place. My wife and I had to make a similar decision in regards to the bumper fillers on her Grand National. We figured the NOS fillers available had a good twenty year head start in the aging process. We were able to find some nice reproductions and are happy with them..... I'd definitely explore the aftermarket fillers for your Bird.

Thank you Paul. Based on your experience as well as Peter/pontiacstogo, I will definitely stay away from NOS.

Ordered a replacement from AMES years ago, stored it away for a few years. Went to look at it one day and crumbled in my hands! Car is still apart but thinking a fiberglass replacement may be the only way to go unfortunately.

I bought one right over the counter at a local GMC dealer back in 2007-2008.
Seeing that photo above really makes me regret getting rid of my 74. That's a beauty!

Thanks to everyone who responded with their recommendations. Here is what I concluded from the inputs on this thread, and from reading older threads on this topic.

There seem to be (or have been) three possible solutions for the replacement filler panel.

1) NOS – New Old Stock, available from Ames
2) Rubber Reproduction – available from Ames and other part suppliers
3) Fiberglass

Most of the inputs that I saw regarding the NOS filler panels said that because of their age, they have become very fragile and are not a good current solution.

Fiberglass replacement panels are not currently available from any of the part suppliers that I searched. Also, I read older comments about the fiberglass filler panels not having the proper installation mounts, so other mounting solutions would be required.

Rubber Reproduction filler panels are readily available. In talking to part suppliers, it looks like the rubber reproduction filler panels are made by The Parts Place. If there are other producers of the filler panels, I am not aware of them.

I ended up purchasing the installation hardware kit from Ames, and the filler panel from The Parts Place.

If I learn anything more once I have the filler panel installed, I will update this thread.

The filler panel on my '74 cracked over the winter as well. I bought the one from the Parts Place (from Ames)...does anyone have any recommendations for prepping the surface for paint? I was thinking of just using some adhesion promoter or something, but I'm open to ideas. I'd rather not buy a quart of 2K just for this piece if I don't have to.

Yes, I know nothing, but a friend that does told me to wash it with soap and water real good. Then use SEM adhesion promoter, then paint it.... That seemed to work well but I haven't driven the car. Just an FYI, I test fit it on the fiberglass nose and trimmed it just a little to make it fit nearly perfect. Once I bolted the nose on, it got squeezed really tight on the passenger side. This may be because I have a fiberglass bumper but I didnt notice this issue with the GM part.... It might be worth your time to actually bolt the header panel on and make sure all is good before you paint it.

I just noticed your reply, thanks Paul!

Yep, if anyone's reading this in the future, Paul's right about the fitment. I bolted the new piece up to my nose, and it doesn't fit very well at all. I had to trim from both sides and adjust a couple bolt holes in the new piece. I'm glad I test fit the part before painting it. Thanks again, Paul!

Has anyone tried the Dynacorn filler GFF131F? I haven't be able to find a description whether it is plastic, viberglass or rubber.

Bought two NOS from the dealer 20 years ago

One is on my car since than , it’s still good

Need to dig out the other one and see what condition it is in

I just put on one from Classic Industries, after reading about all the options, prices (from 110-185), fitment issues etc., I went with the cheapest price. had two NOS pieces, both disintegrated before being put on, lol. I'll finish putting the bumper back on, and see how it looks.