Front Valance Retainer panel attachment method???
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 2,608
Likes: 3
From: TEXAS - you mean there are other states?
Front Valance Retainer panel attachment method???
Do you glue, screw or rivit this panel???
It is the very thin fiberglass 'retainer' that is placed in front of radiator and on top of teh lower valance panel... a 'seal' is then attached to the retainer to direct airflow into the radiator.
Also - How did the factory install the seal... should the seal lay lay and touch the front edge of the radiator core support or should it be tucked up nder the front lip of the core support?
Last - was this on all corvettes? Gee - I do not think I have ever noticed one.
It is the very thin fiberglass 'retainer' that is placed in front of radiator and on top of teh lower valance panel... a 'seal' is then attached to the retainer to direct airflow into the radiator.
Also - How did the factory install the seal... should the seal lay lay and touch the front edge of the radiator core support or should it be tucked up nder the front lip of the core support?
Last - was this on all corvettes? Gee - I do not think I have ever noticed one.
Last edited by kaiserbud; Jan 26, 2010 at 02:24 PM.
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 11,874
Likes: 263
From: Arlington Va Current ride 04 vert, previous vettes: 69 vert, 77 resto mod
when you get around to putting this on if you can take pictures i would be interested in seeing what you did, my 77 is missing this and currently we have a home made air dam under the radiator. it works very well but i am thinking of putting the stock one on. thks bob
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 31,164
Likes: 4,242
From: Westminster Maryland
Hi KB,
The fiberglass 'retainer' is bonded to the valance panel with the normal fiberglass bond.
The rubber flap is stapled to the retainer.
The flap was to help insure that the air coming through the grills, and valance openings, went through the radiator and not under it. I believe 68-72 cars have it.
Regards,
Alan
The fiberglass 'retainer' is bonded to the valance panel with the normal fiberglass bond.
The rubber flap is stapled to the retainer.
The flap was to help insure that the air coming through the grills, and valance openings, went through the radiator and not under it. I believe 68-72 cars have it.
Regards,
Alan
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 2,608
Likes: 3
From: TEXAS - you mean there are other states?
thanks....
I do have pics and will post - did a good job on staples (figured it out - don't let them intimidate you - you might even call me staple man)....anyway.... the seal is centered nicely on the retainer. I painted the retainer semi flat (1635) black. And the AIM calls for 9 staples - I did 15.
Based on Alan's guidance, I contacted the paint store for 3M 8115 and Lord Fuser. They have both to bond the strip. I did not want to use Evercoat's Vette Panel Adhesive. And I am out of my favorite - and I cannot recall the name of it. (I remembered - it's Clawplast)
But one more Q remains - does the seal nest up ounder neath - or in front of the core support??? Oh - because if it rests in front, I probably need to use more adhesive to get the retainer 'higher' vertically so teh seal is indeed above the lip of the core support. - probably the best position
I do have pics and will post - did a good job on staples (figured it out - don't let them intimidate you - you might even call me staple man)....anyway.... the seal is centered nicely on the retainer. I painted the retainer semi flat (1635) black. And the AIM calls for 9 staples - I did 15.
Based on Alan's guidance, I contacted the paint store for 3M 8115 and Lord Fuser. They have both to bond the strip. I did not want to use Evercoat's Vette Panel Adhesive. And I am out of my favorite - and I cannot recall the name of it. (I remembered - it's Clawplast)
But one more Q remains - does the seal nest up ounder neath - or in front of the core support??? Oh - because if it rests in front, I probably need to use more adhesive to get the retainer 'higher' vertically so teh seal is indeed above the lip of the core support. - probably the best position
Last edited by kaiserbud; Jan 26, 2010 at 03:54 PM.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 2,608
Likes: 3
From: TEXAS - you mean there are other states?
cool - thanks Alan - I was hoping this configuration ... although it will take a thicker layer of adhesive to get the height I need....
..geeeeez. no wonder my car was always running hot. just one more reason out of 10,000
..geeeeez. no wonder my car was always running hot. just one more reason out of 10,000
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Where did you order the parts from?
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 2,608
Likes: 3
From: TEXAS - you mean there are other states?
thanks 
Well my local contact did not have it (Gulf Coast Corvettes) and I so I ordered it from Corvette Clentral. Its called a retainer. Dr Rebuild has it too.... but also order the seal. I think it would be almost impossible to staple the rubber seal on there if teh retainer is already installed....
Well my local contact did not have it (Gulf Coast Corvettes) and I so I ordered it from Corvette Clentral. Its called a retainer. Dr Rebuild has it too.... but also order the seal. I think it would be almost impossible to staple the rubber seal on there if teh retainer is already installed....
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 2,608
Likes: 3
From: TEXAS - you mean there are other states?
Ha - I accidentally bought 2 seals - so I need to sell (hopefully) the remaining one.... I will ship for free if any takers... It is Dr Rebuild 1274403 68-72 Grill to lower Cross member seal
