1966 1967 Lower Valence, Radiator Core Support, Valence "Cut-out" Details

[Richard M.]

Re: 1966 1967 Lower Valence, Radiator Core Support, Valence "Cut-out" Details

Gene, I wish John the best and a full recovery too. He would probably have the answer, but even if he didn't it'd be great to see his posts.

I miss his words of wisdom. He and I had a nice phone conversation last summer. I always feel so good after speaking with him or when swapping emails.

Rich

[Timothy B.]

Re: 1966 1967 Lower Valence, Radiator Core Support, Valence "Cut-out" Details

Rich,

I looked at my 300hp 67 convertible (ST. Louis) car yesterday. The forward holes are used for the support, there is a cut out on the passenger side approx. 1/2" into the panel where the radiator lower hose tank is attached, no cut out on the drivers side. The rear holes are there but must have been filled by the painter (me) back in the eighties, I probably saw no purpose for them thinking someone added them.

[Richard M.]

Re: 1966 1967 Lower Valence, Radiator Core Support, Valence "Cut-out" Details

Rich,

I looked at my 300hp 67 convertible (ST. Louis) car yesterday. The forward holes are used for the support, there is a cut out on the passenger side approx. 1/2" into the panel where the radiator lower hose tank is attached, no cut out on the drivers side. The rear holes are there but must have been filled by the painter (me) back in the eighties, I probably saw no purpose for them thinking someone added them.

Thanks Tim,

Is there much room between the cut and the lower radiator tank housing? I'm seeing quite a variation of clearance in my research.

Rich

[Timothy B.]

Re: 1966 1967 Lower Valence, Radiator Core Support, Valence "Cut-out" Details

Rich, I will get a picture later and post it.

[Richard M.]

Re: 1966 1967 Lower Valence, Radiator Core Support, Valence "Cut-out" Details

Another observation made today while looking at another 1967 under restoration. This was hidden within my research but didn't really come to light until today.

The Valence L-Bracket, as pictured in the 1963 to 1967 AIMs, shown in the wrong position for 1966/1967, ALSO gets reversed on 1966 and 1967 installations.



This required assembly change puts the weld-nut end of the L-bracket "under" the lower horizontal brace of the core support. Note in the photo below of a 1966(SB) that the front of car is at the bottom in the photo, and the L-Bracket weld-nut faces rear. When looking down into this area with the hood open between the hood and headlight valence areas, on 1963 to 1965 cars you will see the weld-nut and 1/4-20 Phillips Screw tip. On 1966 & 1967 cars, you won't(shouldn't) see it.

[Bill C.]

Re: 1966 1967 Lower Valence, Radiator Core Support, Valence "Cut-out" Details

Rich,
Maybe when John Hinckley get better perhaps he can shine some light on the valance cut out. I can see with all the tolerance build up that the close proximity of parts can have wide extremes. I like your observations it could be as simple as assembly clearance.

Gene & Rich, in restoring my 66 BB conv, my lower valance had the cutout on the right side, and like a fool, I glassed it in thinking something must have been thrown up there and broke it ... since it was only on 1 side. I don't know why, but I sent John a note asking him about it as I haven't painted the car yet. I hope he doesn't mind, but I'm attaching his reply. From another note I think he said when engineering tilted the rad supports, the factory complained it was difficult to wiggle the body down over the rad on the right side at body drop, so they made a wholesale change for all 66 & 67 to add that notch. So I proceeded to grind out my patch to put it back to my original notch. Doh! Bill

[Richard M.]

Re: 1966 1967 Lower Valence, Radiator Core Support, Valence "Cut-out" Details

Gene & Rich, in restoring my 66 BB conv, my lower valance had the cutout on the right side, and like a fool, I glassed it in thinking something must have been thrown up there and broke it ... since it was only on 1 side. I don't know why, but I sent John a note asking him about it as I haven't painted the car yet. I hope he doesn't mind, but I'm attaching his reply. From another note I think he said when engineering tilted the rad supports, the factory complained it was difficult to wiggle the body down over the rad on the right side at body drop, so they made a wholesale change for all 66 & 67 to add that notch. So I proceeded to grind out my patch to put it back to my original notch. Doh! Bill

Bill,

This is great! Thank you for posting this info from John and I'm pretty sure he'll be fine with it. When I did this thread John was just starting to feel better and I was thinking of emailing him but did not want to bother him. I am so glad he's doing better and thought after a while he'd catch up and see this some day. You've saved him a step.

What he said certainly fills in the question of "why". It makes perfect sense now. In my example photos of several cars, there were some lower radiator outlets that are close to the valence yet others are further away, but none seemed to be close enough to actually touch the valence.

But it now makes sense that during body drop it could hit as they wigged the body into position. Once the body was set to normal alignment it was clear of the valence.

John, You helped solve the mystery.

Thank You,
Rich

[Ronald L.]

Re: 1966 1967 Lower Valence, Radiator Core Support, Valence "Cut-out" Details

Best I can tell from an original paint 66 SB, that notch was in the shear edge of the compression mold. Made by whomever was producing the part for both STL and AOS.




On John's presentation...for those in the room when he presented this..did anyone record it?

His narrative to the key pictures was invaluable, but 7 years on I for sure have forgotten some of the detail.