Question about front air dam.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 2,507
Likes: 114
From: St. Louis Mo
Question about front air dam.
I have a 1979 L-82 that is supposed to be all original. When I bought the car it had a larger heavy rubber air dam riveted onto the smaller plastic air dam, which I thought not to be original so I ordered a new one to replace it. Well last night I was looking at the assembly manual and it shows this rubber air dam riveted onto the plastic one. My problem is that I want to take this car to Bloomington next year to have it judged and want it to be as original as possible. I have never seen this on any other 79 until I bought this one. Has anyone else, or does anyone have any suggestions about leaving it on? :seeya
Thanks LT
Thanks LT
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 2,663
Likes: 3
From: Palm Harbor FL
Re: Question about front air dam. (ltinnell)
Are you talking about an air dam or a spoiler? I have a small air dam that runs just under the nose just behind the holes to let air in. That is a one piece plastic part that is riveted to the bottom of the nose (valance?). Some cars also had a spoiler (like those on the 78 pace car). This was an option. The spoiler is larger and goes all the way to and partially up the front of the wheel wells. As you can see in my sig pics, I do not have the spoiler. Which one do you have?
[Modified by 79MakoL82, 8:58 AM 9/21/2001]
[Modified by 79MakoL82, 8:58 AM 9/21/2001]
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 2,507
Likes: 114
From: St. Louis Mo
Re: Question about front air dam. (79MakoL82)
79MakoL82
I guess it is a spoiler, but it is not the larger option one. My other 79 had the front fiberglass spoiler but this one is black plastic and goes on just under the front bumper..Thanks..LT
I guess it is a spoiler, but it is not the larger option one. My other 79 had the front fiberglass spoiler but this one is black plastic and goes on just under the front bumper..Thanks..LT
Racer
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 290
Likes: 0
From: Omaha, NE
Re: Question about front air dam. (ltinnell)
LT-
Definitely put it on. My "unmolested" 79 L-82 with C60 has that extension. I asked the original owner about it when buying the car several years ago because I too thought it looked like an add-on. It is indeed an original equipment item that provides increased cooling for A/C and L-82. Hope you saved it. Good luck.
Marv-
Definitely put it on. My "unmolested" 79 L-82 with C60 has that extension. I asked the original owner about it when buying the car several years ago because I too thought it looked like an add-on. It is indeed an original equipment item that provides increased cooling for A/C and L-82. Hope you saved it. Good luck.
Marv-
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 2,663
Likes: 3
From: Palm Harbor FL
Re: Question about front air dam. (Marv)
LT-
Definitely put it on. My "unmolested" 79 L-82 with C60 has that extension. I asked the original owner about it when buying the car several years ago because I too thought it looked like an add-on. It is indeed an original equipment item that provides increased cooling for A/C and L-82. Hope you saved it. Good luck.
Marv-
Definitely put it on. My "unmolested" 79 L-82 with C60 has that extension. I asked the original owner about it when buying the car several years ago because I too thought it looked like an add-on. It is indeed an original equipment item that provides increased cooling for A/C and L-82. Hope you saved it. Good luck.
Marv-
H-m-m-m-m-m-m. I have an L82 and A/C and I do not have an extension. However, this wouldn't be the first part that's missing from my car. Dam that Bubba. :smash: I'll have to check my AIM about this, as I don't have one and don't recall seeing one on others, but I'm not incredibly observant either.
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 38,923
Likes: 1,482
From: Southbound
Cruise-In II Veteran
Re: Question about front air dam. (ltinnell)
I think we are confused over terms, here. All Sharks have a black rubber or plastic air dam (often called a "spolier") of some time to aid in directing air through the radiator. These are stock and essentially one size. Early in production, air conditioned cars were to get a larger air dam to aid with additional cooling, but I don't think any ever made production. Most stock air dams are one piece affairs. By 1980, they were two piece. I'm not certain the air dams are riveted. Both of the air dams on my cars are screwed in place -- no rivets -- but it's possible both had been replaced by the time I purchased the cars. The air dams attach to the lower valance panel which is fiberglass on the 68-72 models and urethane beginning with the 73s.
Spoilers, front and rear, became optional after the 1978 Pace Cars.
If you want to take your car to Bloomington and have reason to believe the installation on your car is correct, my advice would be to leave it that way.
Spoilers, front and rear, became optional after the 1978 Pace Cars.
If you want to take your car to Bloomington and have reason to believe the installation on your car is correct, my advice would be to leave it that way.
Racer
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 290
Likes: 0
From: Omaha, NE
Re: Question about front air dam. (ltinnell)
LT-
To clear up some of the confusion on this issue take a look at page 432 of the 1979 AIM. This shows the L82 or VO1 extension, rivets and reinforcement frame that mounts it along with the part #s. Good luck.
Marv-
To clear up some of the confusion on this issue take a look at page 432 of the 1979 AIM. This shows the L82 or VO1 extension, rivets and reinforcement frame that mounts it along with the part #s. Good luck.
Marv-
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 2,144
Likes: 195
From: Englewood FL
Re: Question about front air dam. (ltinnell)
On 1979 L82 cars and those with heavy duty cooling there is a rubber
spoiler that is riveted to the front air dam. There are metal strips
behind the air dam that the rivets go into. The rubber spoiler is
GM part no. 14004685. However, it is discontinued. I was
fortunate to find a NOS piece at Pacific Corvette (800-228-2857)
last fall. It is also reproduced by Dr. Rebuild and is listed in his
catalog.
The L82 car I have does not have the optional pace car 3 piece front
spoiler. I am not sure if it is found on those cars that have that
optional spoiler.
spoiler that is riveted to the front air dam. There are metal strips
behind the air dam that the rivets go into. The rubber spoiler is
GM part no. 14004685. However, it is discontinued. I was
fortunate to find a NOS piece at Pacific Corvette (800-228-2857)
last fall. It is also reproduced by Dr. Rebuild and is listed in his
catalog.
The L82 car I have does not have the optional pace car 3 piece front
spoiler. I am not sure if it is found on those cars that have that
optional spoiler.
