[cnc]

In the process of reinstalling chrome on the top of the doors ...for the decor package....who sells the best clips for these trim pieces I'm in the need of a set ........Chris

[Formulabruce]

Our host Ames has them. I belive there may be only one manufacturer. I find its best if these clips are warmed up whensnapping on chrome, which goes top to bottom

[cnc]

Yes I saw them from our Host. Probably get them just looking for options or opinions...warmed up eh what is your trick hair dryer warm them up then quickly install the chrome or ??????

[Formulabruce]

All the pieces over 70 degress it goes well.

[Trevor78]

First sign of a poor reproduction part. There's a few alternatives that claim they are an improvement on the common OER, I have not tried any to compare.

#9815840 will aid in any searches, require 12.

[cnc]

Originally Posted by Trevor78

First sign of a poor reproduction part. There's a few alternatives that claim they are an improvement on the common OER, I have not tried any to compare.

#9815840 will aid in any searches, require 12.

That number is the OER set and it's not good????

[Trevor78]

That number is the GM number that they reference, but so do others. Thought it easier than Googling Firebird door mold clip retainer thingy.

[HoovDaddy]

Ames has the plastic clips, I don't think they have the metal clips for each end. You need (4) T bolt molding clips. You just have to find the size that fits into the moldings. Do a search for universal molding clips or T bolt molding clips.

[cnc]

Originally Posted by HoovDaddy

Ames has the plastic clips, I don't think they have the metal clips for each end. You need (4) T bolt molding clips. You just have to find the size that fits into the moldings. Do a search for universal molding clips or T bolt molding clips.

Those are definetly not the clips I have old clips but need some new ones...they look like the ones attached

[HoovDaddy]

Originally Posted by cnc

Those are definetly not the clips I have old clips but need some new ones...they look like the ones attached

Those plastic clips go on the straight sections of the molding and the OER ones work fine. The metal ones anchor the front and back of the molding tight to the skin so it can't pop off. If your doors originally had the moldings, there will be 3/16 holes in each end. Also, if you are using OER repop moldings, the ends are not stamped smooth on the back side and will damage paint, the rear of the moldings can be sharp where your hand might touch. At least as of a year ago.

[fbody_mike]

I recently bought a set of 12 from fbodywharehouse. They all worked but some needed the "flashing" trimmed off. In hindsight if one clip broke during install I'd be kicking myself for not getting some extras. So maybe get more than a dozen in case you break one or it is made poorly.

[fbody_mike]

Originally Posted by HoovDaddy

Those plastic clips go on the straight sections of the molding and the OER ones work fine. The metal ones anchor the front and back of the molding tight to the skin so it can't pop off. If your doors originally had the moldings, there will be 3/16 holes in each end. Also, if you are using OER repop moldings, the ends are not stamped smooth on the back side and will damage paint, the rear of the moldings can be sharp where your hand might touch. At least as of a year ago.

I think that is 1st gen only. The 2nd gen door only has plastic clips on the door reveal molding at the top of the door.

Or are the metal clips for the side molding with the rubber insert? The one that is midway down the door.

[HoovDaddy]

Originally Posted by fbody_mike

I think that is 1st gen only. The 2nd gen door only has plastic clips.

It's only within the last 25 years that the plastic clips became available.

From the PY parts book (I also checked my parts book):

[fbody_mike]

Originally Posted by HoovDaddy

GM part numbers for 2nd gen are:

Front and rear clips (4 per car) 9815829
Center clips (12 per car) 9815840

It's only within the last 25 years that the plastic clips became available.

Oh, interesting. Could the metal clips have only been used on the 70? The parts catalog shows the plastic from 70-76 (its a 1976 parts catalog) but the metal ones only for 70.

10.708 CLIP, FRONT DOOR WINDOW BELT
REVEAL MOULDING
AR 9815840 70-76 ALL — CENTRE
4 9815829 70 ALL - FRONT AND REAR

[HoovDaddy]

[QUOTE=fbody_mike;6383383]Oh, interesting. Could the metal clips have only been used on the 70?

Not sure, my '70 Z28 had the metal clips and I remember back in the day at the body shop assembling them a few times. I recently installed moldings on a '73 Z and the repop plastic would not have been enough to hold the ends on, especially the front where the molding is twisted sideways. It's possible the original GM clips were strong enough by themselves. My opinion is the metal clips are the way to ensure that expensive molding stays put and doesn't pop off.

There is one person that might know. Camaro Country in Marshall, MI. Since these are the same as Camaro, he parts out dozens per year and has a warehouse full of NOS and good used parts. He also has some Firebird stuff.

[Trevor78]

Only the plastic type are shown for later years, and 1970 was also 1st and 2nd gens. Being curved unlike 1st gens, it was a lot harder for the strip to moved fwd or backwards and find it's way off. That's how I see it anyway. The reproduction retainers may not be as successful as the GM once were.

This was one of the non-OER part sellers.

https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/35034794...1926%7Ciid%3A1

[cnc]

Here is a pic of the trim position on the door...with the same type of studs used for frt and rear glass trim moulding..my doors areOriginal as far as I know both doors the same ...weird.....
Anyone have a pic of the clips on the door to see how they go on. Since I lost my phone and all pics I don't recall how they mount to the door
Anyone have pic of a door with the holes in them for the clips HoovDaddy posted

[78w72]

my 72 firebird had the plastic clips, same for all the 74-81 Fbodies ive had. the metal clips must be a 70 only thing. i prefer no chrome trim or drip moldings so i shaved off the studs & used the chrome bead window sweeps.

[HoovDaddy]

Originally Posted by cnc

Here is a pic of the trim position on the door...with the same type of studs used for frt and rear glass trim moulding..my doors areOriginal

Good info. And you don't have big holes on the ends?

The problem I have found with the OER moldings is they are flat and not pre-bent to lay down on the front of the door skin. The front needs to be twisted to fit correctly and they can pop off the OER clips or not lay flat. The steel clip design really help secure the ends. The aftermarket clips probably aren't as good as the GM clips were.

Funny, Chevy used both style clips at least until '72 or maybe beyond. Which is why my memory is working the way it is on these stupid clips. My Chevy parts book is from '72. I've worked on a lot more Chevy's in my life.

[Formulabruce]

FWIW, the Camaro top door decor chrome trim is DIFFERENT than the Firebird ( 70-81)
Gasp, did I say that? yup I did.. its fact