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I'm getting ready to reinstall the front grill and bumpers and realized my car is missing something...
1) My 66 (427/390) is missing the small brackets that connect the bottom of the radiator support to the bottom fiberglass piece of the front lower valence. What is this bracket called and any idea where I might find a pair?
2) My valence has two holes on each side (pic below), but the bracket only requires 1 hole. I've seen another 66 that has 3 holes where only 1 is used. What are these other holes for?
I'm not sure anyone knows what the extra hole is for. Only one is used for the bracket on my car as you stated. But my front clip has been replaced and it's possible other years used a slightly different bracket that used the other hole. Or maybe the small block and big block radiator supports slightly shifted the bracket and the two holes are to accommodate that. Not sure of actual name but front valance bracket sounds like a good start.
As I recall the BB required the bracket to be in a different location on the valance because of the radiator support, So a second hole. I believe you use the more forward one for your BB. The bolt is painted body color.
Last edited by 63driver; Dec 20, 2020 at 06:08 PM.
As I recall the BB required the bracket to be in a different location on the valance because of the radiator support, So a second hole. I believe you use the more forward one for your BB. The bolt is painted body color.
The other holes are used with big blocks. You should not fill them ... they came with all 65 - 67 cars.
I'm getting ready to reinstall the front grill and bumpers and realized my car is missing something...
1) My 66 (427/390) is missing the small brackets that connect the bottom of the radiator support to the bottom fiberglass piece of the front lower valence. What is this bracket called and any idea where I might find a pair?
2) My valence has two holes on each side (pic below), but the bracket only requires 1 hole. I've seen another 66 that has 3 holes where only 1 is used. What are these other holes for?
BTW, you didn't mention it so I'm just checking ... do you have the support rod that goes from the top grill center tab up to the upper front body support? Bill
Last edited by NightshiftHD; Dec 20, 2020 at 07:12 PM.
Thanks, all, for the quick and great feedback. This forum is an incredible wealth of info.
So I gather that it is normal to have two holes and that the bolt should be body painted. I've got the brackets on order and will look for the bolts. And for a BB (mine), the screw ends up in the forward hole? I ask because the other vette I checked (my dad's SB 66) had the screw in the front hole, and he has two empty holes behind that.
@NightshiftHD Bill -- I do have the center support rod -- mine is a very, very late 66 (127145), and my understanding is that the rod was added toward the end of the 66 run. While we're at it, does the assembly order at the top center of the grill from front-to-back go grill tab, then fiberglass nose tab, then the threaded hole on the support rod?
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So I gather that it is normal to have two holes and that the bolt should be body painted. I've got the brackets on order and will look for the bolts. And for a BB (mine), the screw ends up in the forward hole? I ask because the other vette I checked (my dad's SB 66) had the screw in the front hole, and he has two empty holes?
That’s a good question, I’m curious as well, I’ve seen what appears to be original 66’s; with two holes, and some with three holes. And a lack of consistency regarding which hole is used.... big block seem to use the front, however, I’ve seen some small blocks with fasteners in the front as well, not sure what to think of the three holed cars, but I’ve seen a number of those.
Thanks, all, for the quick and great feedback. This forum is an incredible wealth of info.
So I gather that it is normal to have two holes and that the bolt should be body painted. I've got the brackets on order and will look for the bolts. And for a BB (mine), the screw ends up in the forward hole? I ask because the other vette I checked (my dad's SB 66) had the screw in the front hole, and he has two empty holes behind that.
@NightshiftHD Bill -- I do have the center support rod -- mine is a very, very late 66 (127145), and my understanding is that the rod was added toward the end of the 66 run. While we're at it, does the assembly order at the top center of the grill from front-to-back go grill tab, then fiberglass nose tab, then the threaded hole on the support rod?
Even though there are still 2 holes on each side of the lower valance panel, only the front hole (furthest away from engine) was used in 66 & 67.
You are correct about the upper rod brace for the center of the grill. Early 66's did not have it, and somewhere in mid-production they began using them. So your late 66 would definately have had one. In my Assy Manual UPC 11-13, B1 shows this page revised May 20, 66 but it doesn't say why it was revised. Perhaps someone with a 66 Assy Manual can check this page and advise if theirs shows an early drawing i\ssue date.
The order if assembly for this center support rod at the grill end using a large phillips head machine bolt is exactly as you describe ... grill tab, fiberglass tab & into the rod nut. Bill
Here's what the phillips bolt looks like. Black phosphate. This pic is courtesy of John Hinckley's 67 but these are the bolts used on the grill center tabs both top and bottom. Bill
As I recall the BB required the bracket to be in a different location on the valance because of the radiator support, So a second hole. I believe you use the more forward one for your BB. The bolt is painted body color.
Was the radiator support on the car when it went through the paint line? It would have to be in order for that bolt to be painted body color..
Not that I really care - my car is very non-NCRS.
Last edited by DansYellow66; Dec 21, 2020 at 08:09 AM.
It is my understanding also the lower valance phillips head bolts going into the lower rad support brackets where painted body color, or at least have body color overspray on them. This detail is not mentioned in the Tech Info & Judging Guide and I don't have a Judging Reference Manual, so perhaps someone with one can confirm. Bill
It is my understanding also the lower valance phillips head bolts going into the lower rad support brackets where painted body color, or at least have body color overspray on them. This detail is not mentioned in the Tech Info & Judging Guide and I don't have a Judging Reference Manual, so perhaps someone with one can confirm. Bill
Here's what that area should look like; those two lower valance bracket screws were driven in the Body Shop (in the front clip bonding fixture) long before Paint.
I had to go look at the 63 AIM and there is a lock washer and a P-washer. Bad memory on my part, my apologies. so, it's the philips head screw, lock washer, P washer, valance then the bracket. The screw, lock washer and P-washer is body color.
I had to go look at the 63 AIM and there is a lock washer and a P-washer. Bad memory on my part, my apologies. so, it's the philips head screw, lock washer, P washer, valance then the bracket. The screw, lock washer and P-washer is body color.
But, I really don't like questioning John. My '67 AIM shows the same thing. #9, 10 & 11
Just looked at the lower valance panels on 3 1965 small block cars with original front ends. One in the 4200 vin range, one in the 20,000 vin range and one in the 22700 vin range. All had only 1 set of holes in the lower valance panels. There was no evidence of any repair or holes being filled. I believe 2 sets of holes might have occurred due to the core support change in 1966 with all 1966, 1967 and service replacements panels having 2 sets of holes.
This makes sense to me since even the 396 L78 option, which was not available until late in the 65 production cycle used small block rads and rad supports. The 2nd set of holes was most likely not added until the start of the 66 production cycle when separate rads/supports came with big blocks. I had a late 65 but cannot remember if more than 1 set of holes in the lower valance. Bill
Last edited by NightshiftHD; Dec 22, 2020 at 11:32 PM.
Front Lower Valence Bracket
The other holes are used with big blocks. You should not fill them ... they came with all 65 - 67 cars.
