[Held for Ransom]

I'll use this dash to explain.

Picture 1 shows grain of the '73-up.
Picture 2 shows a few things. Cast month and year revision on left, 1972 changed to 3 and dot near N (November), with inspector signature. And another version date on right.
Notice it says 10-2-73 (you would think for a '74, but the inspector date is '75).
Picture 3 shows manufactured date ink stamp.

[unruhjonny]

1973 model year cars started being produced in (probably) August 1972;
parts are made in batches prior to the actual need for it arises;
there was a strike in 1972, and IIRC components such as carpet were carried over through to the 1973 calender year.

seat belts and front 'endura' bumpers were probably the only two items not carried over from 1972...

I wouldn't over think this too much;
just use the more common 73-77 dash, unless you find a minty early dash, in which case you can use that.

I looked for I believe eight years till I found a minty 70-78 standard black dash for my '70 - I am not at all bothered by the fact that it isn't the 110% correct vinyl.

[mscicluna007]

Thanks for the advice Ransom and Johnny.

It is hard finding a good dash that just isn't cracked or badly sun damaged for a reasonable price.

Keeping my eyes wide open but I am definately not in a rush for one so time is on my side.

I am really just making sure if I see a good correct one that I don't overlook it as it might take a long time to find one so I appreciate your advice on identifying them.

I finally got a reasonable condition Bezel for the Dash that is a mirror from the hot rod magazines dash pics. That was an effort getting one without the air con vents.

Regards

Michael

[LeighP]

Looking at the above pic showing the 73 and later grain, would you think this grain structure was closer to the early one?



A local auto trimming shop that does vacuum reskinning of dashes has a few (very few) sheets of GM NOS 70's vinyl that they located somewhere....I had my dash and centre console covered in it.

[unruhjonny]

Originally Posted by mscicluna007

...It is hard finding a good dash that just isn't cracked or badly sun damaged for a reasonable price.

Amen!

Originally Posted by mscicluna007

...Keeping my eyes wide open but I am definately not in a rush for one so time is on my side.

I am really just making sure if I see a good correct one that I don't overlook it as it might take a long time to find one so I appreciate your advice on identifying them.

This is a good stance to have.

Originally Posted by mscicluna007

...I finally got a reasonable condition Bezel for the Dash that is a mirror from the hot rod magazines dash pics. That was an effort getting one without the air con vents.

Yeah, I've recently come to realize that most dash inserts were set up for A/C - but in the Canadian praries, very seldom were cars built with A/C ~ I have some spares (I have only bought dash inserts for cars with gauges & w/o A/C) but I am actually having trouble findind a good potential replacement for my '70 (found a '72 on eBay last night)...

If yours isn't that great shoot me a message, maybe I can hook you up with a better one;
the only problem is the engine turned dash inserts I have are all supposed to have the 1974/5+ 'Radial Tuned Suspension' emblem above the column.

[Held for Ransom]

Jonny, the RTS emblem on the dash bezel started in '75.

[mscicluna007]

hi johnny ,
the one i bought is an early Bezel without the RTS and its taken some time to find one. it should arrive in two weeks and from the pics looks in good condition. I will post a pic when it arrives.
thanks HFR . I had to go to the original magazines to make sure i was on the right track as their was a few types.

[unruhjonny]

Originally Posted by Held for Ransom

Jonny, the RTS emblem on the dash bezel started in '75.

that's what I thought;
I posted from work, so couldn't do any research to confirm my hunch;
IIRC the RTS badge was affixed to the glove box door (upper right) in 1974.

I would suspect though that with a little ingenuity, the holes from a 1975-1979 dash insert could be "hidden"...

[mscicluna007]

A pic of the Bezel and the hot rod June 73 pic

[mscicluna007]

Progress is slow while I gather parts. Bezel arrived yesterday. LHD Dash is in transit. Hopefully arrive by the end of the year.

Obtained some brake pedal parts with the frame and pedal all in nice shape.

T400 kickdown bracket???

The bracket that was in the car after the conversion is pictured below. It might be off a local car after the conversion as the accelerator and brake pedal setups were heavily modified for RHD.

Can anyone confirm from the Pic if this is the original bracket as I can't find it in the assembly manual either.

Kind Regards

Michael

[falcon4]

Hi Michael,

I've got a '72 manual here, I will find the page and scan it for you.....Don't throw out that bracket just yet....It looks like the real McCoy. I'll PM you when its done.

[mscicluna007]

Fitted up the bracket. It was mounted on the firewall with the conversion but had no active role on the pedal assembly so now I have put it to good use.

Wasn't sure if it was off a local Aus. car but than found it in the assembly manual finally.

Michael

[mscicluna007]

Question???

Looking from the underside of my roof just forward of the dome light mounting area is two holes about a foot apart and 6-8 inches forward of the light.

Looking inside the holes their is a board of some sort like masonite that is quite brittle.

It extends back to the two holes either side of the domelight.

Their is only one way in and I would assume its only on the assembly line. Does anyone know what it is and its purpose.

Could it be the obvious.

Possibly a shield from the heat of a dome light to the paint as they can get pretty hot at times.

Michael

[x-bird2]

the material between the "roofs" is for sound absorption. A lot of effort was put into NVH when the 2nd gens were being designed. really no way to do anything with it as you're correct in how/when it was installed.

[mscicluna007]

Thanks , It had me puzzled but I was sure it had a purpose.

[mscicluna007]

Is their rebuild kits for the original items if they are original that is. I am wanting to obtain kits for the Brake Booster, Master Cylinder and Proprotioning Valve and get a local brake specialist to rebuild them or what is the best place to get the complete set from as I know nearly everyone in the states stock them but what would be most correct.

[Held for Ransom]

Most correct would be having the originals rebuilt.

These threads show where to look for master date code.
http://www.forums.maxperformanceinc....d.php?t=547864
http://www.forums.maxperformanceinc....d.php?t=550752

Bill Oxley, 70RAlll (that's three lower case L's), may be able to direct you on where you may find the kits to rebuild them. Or, what to use. Or, who you can trust.

[mscicluna007]

Here is the Code on the Master Cylinder and Brake Proporting Valve. Theirs another code on the back but might need to remove the brakcket for a better read and clean them both up a bit.

[Held for Ransom]

Nothing stamped around either of the master cylinder brake line holes?

Combination valve assembly date stamp is on the end of the nut.
http://www.forums.maxperformanceinc....2&postcount=12

[mscicluna007]

So the Proportioning Valve I would say is not correct due to the big BENDIX stamping on the back which I found once I removed it from the bracket. I would say this was a substitute from an australian Holden which is why it looks similar. Will make a good paperweight I guess.

The Master Cylinder on the Lid has General Motors SAE J1703 and DELCO down the bottom .

On the Base beneath the bleed Screws Has a Y than on the opposite side reads 6470409-1 @ D18 273.

So I think it would be best to look for a kit with new booster, master cylinder and proportioning valve as a correct replacement unit that is either a genuine remake or remanufactured. Where is the best place to source them from.