[twov8sandat4]

Originally Posted by 70Steve

Next weird coincidence!...A guy named Steve on the other side of the world is sorting out old magazines, (and not getting very far 'cause I keep reading them!) when I pick up the Sept/Oct '90 issue of Muscle Cars of the 60's and 70's and spot a white 73 SD Formula. Just logged on to PY because I thought of this thread and the last post mentions the very mag I'm looking at. njsteve, if you don't have a copy, or twov8sandat4 can't find his, I'll post it to you.

It looks like you have to post that article. I tore the house upside down, and looked all over my office for it, but can't find it Looks like it got thrown out with all the others

Who knew you save something for 22.5 years, and in year 23 you need it right after throwing it away

[njsteve]

Got the finished polyethylene valance installed today. It was reasonably uneventful. I made sure that all the lower mounting bolts have the large flat washers in place and are finger tight so the valance can move and flex with the nose. The upper mounts use #14 screws with attached washers. These, I wrapped in Teflon tape and finger tightened as well. The Teflon tape allows the screws to remain in their position even though they are not fully tightened to spec.

The front end sure looks a lot more streamlined with the polyethylene valance than it did with the warranty replacement steel valance that was installed by the dealer when the original poly valance shattered.

Before, with the steel valance:




And after:





In this shot you can really see the difference in the hue of original paint on the bumper as compared to the front fenders. The flexible nose/bumpers were painted by the manufacturers and installed on the cars in their prepainted configuration, while the body sheetmetal was painted on the Norwood/Fisher Body assembly line.

[The Boss]

I had no idea there was such a significant difference in the valences appearance!

Very nice Steve - as always!

[njsteve]

Thanks!
Yes, the poly valance mounts flush against the bumper and the radiator support, versus the steel valance which mounts to the lower fender edge, lower hood latch support, and radiator support, leaving a 1/2" to 1" gap under the bumper.

[Judge273]

No black bolt either!

Makes a happy face more pretty....

[LeighP]

That is very nice piece...fits up beautifully.....makes the nose look very slick!

[njsteve]

It just occurred to me while looking out in the garage that I have seen this car's face somewhere before:

Is this one of those "separated at birth" photos?

[1973Formula]

Hey Steve-

I really like the look of the plastic valance. What parts do you need to swap from metal to plastic? Do you have any idea how the repop models compare with the originals? I am willing to do the body work even on a new repop. Let me know what you think.

Thanks,

[wwilder9]

looks great

[Norwood]

Great job Steve....

[njsteve]

Originally Posted by 1973Formula

Hey Steve-

I really like the look of the plastic valance. What parts do you need to swap from metal to plastic? Do you have any idea how the repop models compare with the originals? I am willing to do the body work even on a new repop. Let me know what you think.

Thanks,

From what I have heard, the body lines are not as crisp on the Parts Place ABS plastic repro and it requires a bunch of filler and sanding to make it appear correct. The mounting hole problem is the same as well, and they cut out the mounting holes for the T/A spoiler as circular holes instead of rectangular ones.

[smaman]

It's subtle, but the poly valence really does look better. Nice work!

[njsteve]

Originally Posted by njsteve

From what I have heard, the body lines are not as crisp on the Parts Place ABS plastic repro and it requires a bunch of filler and sanding to make it appear correct. The mounting hole problem is the same as well, and they cut out the mounting holes for the T/A spoiler as circular holes instead of rectangular ones.

I forgot to mention, there is a small bracket that member NORWOOD reproduces that goes at the bottom of the radiator support that is used for the poly valance. Maybe he can chime in and provide a photo.

[njsteve]

Someone on the Yenko.net site where I have a companion thread to this one, brought up a good point that it appears the color match for the valance is not very close to the body color.

I responded that these valances were not painted originally: they were molded in body color, or at least what they thought was a semi-close match for body color. So being a shade off, actually looks more original than being an exact match.

Back then, polyethylene was a new "Space Age" polymer and the engineers had not figured out a way to get paint to stick to it so they did the best they could by making them in every single color the cars were available in.

[Norwood]

This is it, fits 71-75. It can be bought from PY and others

[1973Formula]

Thanks guys. I actually have an original poly valance bracket. It was on one of my cars that had the metal valance. I don't quite remember how both brackets were in place at the same time. Now I just need to find a poly valance. I know a guy that may have one.

[njsteve]

OK, here is today's conundrum: I was looking at the hood latch assembly and it appears that the grommet that the hood cable goes through is partially broken (lower locating tab is broken off) and has been for a long while. The cable is actually sawing its way through the bracket. It also appears that the grommet that the pull handle passes through has a broken piece as well. Does anyone have the grommets? It appears that they may be the same grommet for both the upper cable guide and the lower handle guide.

[Held for Ransom]

http://www.forums.maxperformanceinc....d.php?t=724532

[starlightblack]

Originally Posted by njsteve

It just occurred to me while looking out in the garage that I have seen this car's face somewhere before:

Is this one of those "separated at birth" photos?

Nah, this one. It will soon be Halloween after all

[njsteve]

Fom the link it looks like it is part GM part number 488442 and two are needed. Anyone have any?