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I have a replacement fiberglass front air dam for my 1980. I'm trying to figure out how the front support would have worked. I understand that the metal strap is broken off, long ago. However, as you can see in the pictures, the air dam sits in front of where that strap would have been. I was planning to just weld a new front support on, but that isn't going to work being that the air dam is farther to the front that that hook is. Anyone with a 1980 that would be willing to take a pic to see how their air dam sits in relation to what should be the front support?
I appreciate the response. I do have the assembly and shop manual. I know where the 5 screws in the radiator support go, as well as the 3 on each side and the 2 in the bumper. It just seems like the entire valance will be sitting too far forward. I did have to replace the radiator support, but it appeared to match the original that came out. So I'm just not sure why it's sitting forward of where the front support should be. Here's an example of another picture I found that shows the valance being supported on the front. There's no way mine would fit that way.
I'm not sure exactly what you're looking for, but here's a picture of my 1981. Are you calling part #34 in the above photo the air dam? I recently had that piece on and off, so it's in the correct place. Let me know if you want another picture.
I'm not sure exactly what you're looking for, but here's a picture of my 1981. Are you calling part #34 in the above photo the air dam? I recently had that piece on and off, so it's in the correct place. Let me know if you want another picture.
Thanks for the pic. It's funny. Every pic i see has the valance in a slightly different position. Yours doesn't appear to be supported from the front.
Thanks for the pic. It's funny. Every pic i see has the valance in a slightly different position. Yours doesn't appear to be supported from the front.
It looks like you have a support welded to the top of the towing eye. Mine just has the remains of the support, which has been cut or snapped off. So I guess the front of my deflector should be raised up, and supported by the support on the tow eye. I've got bigger issues on the car to worry about, so it's fine like it is!
[Edit:] oh now I see that the first pic is yours, and your strap/support is broken off also. In the second pic, the support appears to go under the deflector, but your deflector is much thicker, and I don't see how the support would fit, unless you cut a notch in the deflector.
The tow hooks on both dyanisis2 and dlwilson have been bent back from the correct position. The picture of the tow hook with the yellow air dam is correct. The front of the air dam should not touch the tow hook but should sit on the strap that extends from the tow hook.
Last edited by MattoonVette; Jan 26, 2023 at 03:47 PM.
Great timing on this post!
When I bought my 1980 zip-ties were holding the lower valance up. Removed it and focused on other areas, but now I'm researching what correct is.
Thanks for the images that show how the hook/tab that is missing on my car should be mounted.
Would be very interested in any creative repair or improvements others have developed!
Also, any information on how long the hook/tab piece is would be helpful.
Bracket is 3/4" wide, 4 3/4" long and 1/8" thick. 1" of the bracket is welded to the tow hook leaving 3 3/4" to bend and support the air dam. Quick note regarding the two lower rubber air dams. There is a cut out in each one where they meet in the middle. This is so the bracket can slide in between the two ends of the lower rubber air dams and support the upper air dam nose.
Front Air Dam Support
