Rear filler panel Question
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 2,527
Likes: 1
From: St. Petersburg, Fl///Columbus, Ohio
Rear filler panel Question
I tried the paint/body forum first with no luck so I'm posting my question here.....
I put sidepipes on my '73
I'd like to install the rear filler panel to fill the factory exhaust holes
The filler panel is bolted in place from the factory.
If I Glass it in place to get rid of the ugly seams will I have to cut it or remove it in the future if I decide to remove the body from the frame in the future???
I put sidepipes on my '73
I'd like to install the rear filler panel to fill the factory exhaust holes
The filler panel is bolted in place from the factory.
If I Glass it in place to get rid of the ugly seams will I have to cut it or remove it in the future if I decide to remove the body from the frame in the future???
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 2,668
Likes: 43
From: Eastern US XX
I tried the paint/body forum first with no luck so I'm posting my question here.....
I put sidepipes on my '73
I'd like to install the rear filler panel to fill the factory exhaust holes
The filler panel is bolted in place from the factory.
If I Glass it in place to get rid of the ugly seams will I have to cut it or remove it in the future if I decide to remove the body from the frame in the future???
I put sidepipes on my '73
I'd like to install the rear filler panel to fill the factory exhaust holes
The filler panel is bolted in place from the factory.
If I Glass it in place to get rid of the ugly seams will I have to cut it or remove it in the future if I decide to remove the body from the frame in the future???
Racer
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 259
Likes: 2
From: Sacramento CA
Eclkers makes a rear filler panel for corvettes retrofitted with side pipes. They bolt in and cover the old exhaust opening. If you use this panel you will have a line there. I believe the true 1969 factory units were fiberglassed over.
That panel you are showing is the retrofit panel from Ecklers #10239.
That panel you are showing is the retrofit panel from Ecklers #10239.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 2,231
Likes: 7
From: Fort Pierce Florida
No. I've removed my body with the filler panel bolted into place. I'm taking it off here in a couple weeks with it glassed in so I hope I'm right! 
Last edited by SuprJames; Jul 30, 2007 at 01:50 PM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 2,668
Likes: 43
From: Eastern US XX
If you did not, then you shouldn't have to do anything to it but bolt it in. When I put mine in, it was also "short" by about that much - but that's normal (and well documented)! When you bolt it in, it will pull (stretch, if you will) the panel to the right size and as that happens, the various curves in the panel will fall into the correct places.
My observation after having installed one - I don't think it's a "piece of crap" at all (I have a couple I could show you that ARE) - it's actually a nice piece that fits well and looks good.
Last edited by pws69; Jul 30, 2007 at 02:38 PM.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 31,287
Likes: 4,375
From: Westminster Maryland
In 1969 the rear valance panel for side exhaust cars had a straight seam on each side where it meets the quarter panel. The quarter panel was different too, in that it had a straight edge where it meets the valance panel. Each side was joined by 2 bolts. The valance was installed after the body was dropped on the chassis. The body needs to be tilted to quite a sharp angle to clear the rear cross member if the valance is permanently installed.
I think the straight seams look good if the body work that needs to be done on each quarter panel is well done.
Regards,
Alan
I think the straight seams look good if the body work that needs to be done on each quarter panel is well done.
Regards,
Alan
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 3,429
Likes: 20
From: Kingston Ontario
WHY - did you widen the rear end?
If you did not, then you shouldn't have to do anything to it but bolt it in. When I put mine in, it was also "short" by about that much - but that's normal (and well documented)! When you bolt it in, it will pull (stretch, if you will) the panel to the right size and as that happens, the various curves in the panel will fall into the correct places.
My observation after having installed one - I don't think it's a "piece of crap" at all (I have a couple I could show you that ARE) - it's actually a nice piece that fits well and looks good.
If you did not, then you shouldn't have to do anything to it but bolt it in. When I put mine in, it was also "short" by about that much - but that's normal (and well documented)! When you bolt it in, it will pull (stretch, if you will) the panel to the right size and as that happens, the various curves in the panel will fall into the correct places.
My observation after having installed one - I don't think it's a "piece of crap" at all (I have a couple I could show you that ARE) - it's actually a nice piece that fits well and looks good.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 2,231
Likes: 7
From: Fort Pierce Florida
Safety Car
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 4,176
Likes: 7
From: Jennings LA
you can get the body off with it in place you just have to tip the body to the rear for it to clear the rear frame support 
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 2,231
Likes: 7
From: Fort Pierce Florida
CF JASOC Member
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 8,040
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From: Downtown Annapolis, MD. The Future is where we all have to live. Let's not screw it up.
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11
Mine had the original panel glassed over, front and back on each side before the last paint job. Came out really nice, even up close. I had to look at it from underneath to see what they had done.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 3,429
Likes: 20
From: Kingston Ontario
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 2,231
Likes: 7
From: Fort Pierce Florida
They're originally the L88 flares that ACI sells. I believe I got them from Mid America though because they were cheaper. They are very modified though. The lip at the edge that wraps around wasn't there, and we cut one flares in half (you can see it in the pic) so that it wouldn't leave a huge gap in the rear like you see on most Vettes with these flares. I'll probably have a post up on it next week with some before and after shots of the flares and all the work those guys did to make them fit right.
