[yahooskidoo]

Can somebody please help me with the front lower valance mounting hardware, where the rear of the valance attaches to the radiator core support. I have these clips, 3 on the drivers side and 1 on the passenger side, but I'm not sure if thats all there is, A parts breakdown pic would great! Thanx.

[Airpowr]

I have a 74 core support on my 75 and it didn't have those clips just regular u nuts and a small bracket that bolts to the center of the support and the valance bolts to it.

[1971WARBIRD]

those brackets help hold the back of the plastic valance up. haven't seen the one on the fender, but the valance slides into the ones on the rad support.

[Held for Ransom]

Here you are.

[yahooskidoo]

Thanx for the replies and thanx Ransom for the breakdown. I have 4 clips but the center bracket has a bolt in it, kinda strange the breakdown shows all clips even in the center bracket. Anyone know where I can get another clip?

[SD Formula]

Correctly me if I'm wrong, but, one of my early 74 FB's had the front lower valence panel bolted directly to the bottom of the radiator support. This type of attachment caused the valence panel to crack and break away from the radiator support with only minor impact. One of my later 74 FB's had the attaching system mentioned earlier in this thread. Probably an early 74 engineering change?

[Held for Ransom]

Originally Posted by SD Formula

Correctly me if I'm wrong, but, one of my early 74 FB's had the front lower valence panel bolted directly to the bottom of the radiator support. This type of attachment caused the valence panel to crack and break away from the radiator support with only minor impact. One of my later 74 FB's had the attaching system mentioned earlier in this thread. Probably an early 74 engineering change?

Yes. I think they found out quickly (maybe during transport) that they were cracking.

[Airpowr]

It must of been a 1/2 year thing because my 75 assembly manual doesn't show the clips. Since the valances with the exception of the turn signals are the same why would they delete them for 75, it's not like the lights weighed alot.

[SD Formula]

My 1974 assembly manual shows clip #496288 was used in five places, and was added to section 14A1-3 on 9/17/73. Probably did not make it into production until much later, my 11C FB, did not have it, nor did it have the metal reinforcement use behind the flexible filler panel shown on 13C-1

[yahooskidoo]

After many hours searching for another clip with no luck I decided to make my own. Started with some 22 gauge metal and a 3/8-16 U-nut. I bent the metal to match the original clip then after some trimming I welded the U-nut to the bent metal. I made the clip a little wider for more support as I will be using it in the middle position.

[yahooskidoo]

Clip worked perfect, valance installed.

[74 SD455 Formula]

Originally Posted by yahooskidoo

After many hours searching for another clip with no luck I decided to make my own. Started with some 22 gauge metal and a 3/8-16 U-nut. I bent the metal to match the original clip then after some trimming I welded the U-nut to the bent metal. I made the clip a little wider for more support as I will be using it in the middle position.

You should mass produce those and sell them as I do not think anybody reproduces those and I know there are other 74/75 Firebird owners who could use them. Just a thought......

[yahooskidoo]

Originally Posted by 74 SD455 Formula

You should mass produce those and sell them as I do not think anybody reproduces those and I know there are other 74/75 Firebird owners who could use them. Just a thought......

OK so I made another clip tonite, this one is more like the original in size and also the punched retaining keeper.What do you guys think? I guess if someone needs 1 or 2, I could make some for you.