Specific hardware for front airdam?
#1
Instructor
Thread Starter
Specific hardware for front airdam?
Thanks in advance. I'm working through a small list of fix-its on my 1975 convertible and one of the items is to install my new aftermarket ABS airdam to the front valance. There was not one on the car when I bought it as it likely got ripped off at some point. Is there specific hardware for installing it? Often, new parts come with hardware, but not this time. Otherwise, I'll just use stainless fender washers and stainless hardware and nylock nuts unless there are captive bolts. Lastly, the car seems to run cool/normal without the airdam. Does it really aid cooling dramatically?
#2
Burning Brakes
Thanks in advance. I'm working through a small list of fix-its on my 1975 convertible and one of the items is to install my new aftermarket ABS airdam to the front valance. There was not one on the car when I bought it as it likely got ripped off at some point. Is there specific hardware for installing it? Often, new parts come with hardware, but not this time. Otherwise, I'll just use stainless fender washers and stainless hardware and nylock nuts unless there are captive bolts. Lastly, the car seems to run cool/normal without the airdam. Does it really aid cooling dramatically?
More often than not, installation kits are always sold seperatly for Corvette Parts.
You can get the installation kit from most all the vendors for your 75. Here are photos of what I think your installing and the installation kit (#11128K) for others to see from Paragon Reproductions. Double check, to see if the bolts are still there, maybe the previous owner screwed them back in after removing the plastic air dam. It was probably cracked and damaged, so they just took it off.
Hope this helps.
Tooch
Last edited by Tooch1; 06-03-2017 at 09:29 AM.
#3
Le Mans Master
I would suggest visiting your local hardware/auto parts store for those clip nuts at least. Your life will be much easier. It's a real PITA to try to hole the air dam, push a bolt and washer thru it, find the hole in the body, then reach around all of that and install a washer and nut.
#4
Instructor
Thread Starter
Good morning,
More often than not, installation kits are always sold seperatly for Corvette Parts.
You can get the installation kit from most all the vendors for your 75. Here are photos of what I think your installing and the installation kit (#11128K) for others to see from Paragon Reproductions. Double check, to see if the bolts are still there, maybe the previous owner screwed them back in after removing the plastic air dam. It was probably cracked and damaged, so they just took it off.
Hope this helps.
Tooch
More often than not, installation kits are always sold seperatly for Corvette Parts.
You can get the installation kit from most all the vendors for your 75. Here are photos of what I think your installing and the installation kit (#11128K) for others to see from Paragon Reproductions. Double check, to see if the bolts are still there, maybe the previous owner screwed them back in after removing the plastic air dam. It was probably cracked and damaged, so they just took it off.
Hope this helps.
Tooch
#5
Instructor
Thread Starter
Thanks in advance. I'm working through a small list of fix-its on my 1975 convertible and one of the items is to install my new aftermarket ABS airdam to the front valance. There was not one on the car when I bought it as it likely got ripped off at some point. Is there specific hardware for installing it? Often, new parts come with hardware, but not this time. Otherwise, I'll just use stainless fender washers and stainless hardware and nylock nuts unless there are captive bolts. Lastly, the car seems to run cool/normal without the airdam. Does it really aid cooling dramatically?
#6
Instructor
Thread Starter
Thanks in advance. I'm working through a small list of fix-its on my 1975 convertible and one of the items is to install my new aftermarket ABS airdam to the front valance. There was not one on the car when I bought it as it likely got ripped off at some point. Is there specific hardware for installing it? Often, new parts come with hardware, but not this time. Otherwise, I'll just use stainless fender washers and stainless hardware and nylock nuts unless there are captive bolts. Lastly, the car seems to run cool/normal without the airdam. Does it really aid cooling dramatically?
#7
Drifting
Well, I went to the hardware store and got some j bolts and stainless fender washers as well as some stainless nylock nuts to install a $40 plastic airdam. As usual, what should be a fairly straightforward job has now turned into a minor valance restoration on a 42 year old car. Turns out all of the 3/8 bolts that needed to removed from the valance were rusted to the "L" brackets on both sides. Soaked with wd40 and promptly sheared all the heads off. Took the crusty brackets out and I've been drilling out the old bolts, grinding everything smooth and wire brushing the crap out of the brackets. Priming and painting now and will reassemble everything tomorrow with fresh hardware, etc. Still fun though getting that sense of satisfaction that it'll be done right and some future owner will be able to spend another $40 and 1/2 hour to replace at some point in the future after I tear this one off on a speedbump!
Welcome to our hobby, only slightly kidding. While these cars are fairly simple, everything become hard when age, rust etc are factored in. The fist C3's are turning FIFTY next year. Thankfully we can still buy all the parts! Post up a picture of your installed dam. Mine is still in the box, I'm fairly sure my hardware is long gone.
Welcome to our hobby, only slightly kidding. While these cars are fairly simple, everything become hard when age, rust etc are factored in. The fist C3's are turning FIFTY next year. Thankfully we can still buy all the parts! Post up a picture of your installed dam. Mine is still in the box, I'm fairly sure my hardware is long gone.
#8
Instructor
Thread Starter
Well, I went to the hardware store and got some j bolts and stainless fender washers as well as some stainless nylock nuts to install a $40 plastic airdam. As usual, what should be a fairly straightforward job has now turned into a minor valance restoration on a 42 year old car. Turns out all of the 3/8 bolts that needed to removed from the valance were rusted to the "L" brackets on both sides. Soaked with wd40 and promptly sheared all the heads off. Took the crusty brackets out and I've been drilling out the old bolts, grinding everything smooth and wire brushing the crap out of the brackets. Priming and painting now and will reassemble everything tomorrow with fresh hardware, etc. Still fun though getting that sense of satisfaction that it'll be done right and some future owner will be able to spend another $40 and 1/2 hour to replace at some point in the future after I tear this one off on a speedbump!
Welcome to our hobby, only slightly kidding. While these cars are fairly simple, everything become hard when age, rust etc are factored in. The fist C3's are turning FIFTY next year. Thankfully we can still buy all the parts! Post up a picture of your installed dam. Mine is still in the box, I'm fairly sure my hardware is long gone.
Welcome to our hobby, only slightly kidding. While these cars are fairly simple, everything become hard when age, rust etc are factored in. The fist C3's are turning FIFTY next year. Thankfully we can still buy all the parts! Post up a picture of your installed dam. Mine is still in the box, I'm fairly sure my hardware is long gone.