63-64 Front Valence removal and replacement

[Dan B.]

While doing some work on my 64 (you all know how one thing leads to another with these cars), I determined that my lower front valence panel was at some point in the distant past replaced, but not positioned exactly centered in relation to the grill, so I need to remove it carefully (GM PM panel) and reposition and re bond it with proper appearance to correct.

My problem is there is a lot of extra adhesive and some poor patch work where the vertical filler panel meets the lower valence on the back of both sides. Did the vertical panel itself get bonded at the end point to the lower valence in addition to the bonding strips? I can't tell from this. I tried looking at a few cars, but some of those may have been repaired and what I saw varied. Also tried to find something in the AIM, but did not see any detail on the factory assembly.

I am in serach of some decent pictures or a good narrative of how this area is supposed to look originally for when I reinstall. It would be great to see a couple of photos of how this area should look front and back so it can be fixed correctly. Any suggestions on the best way to break the parts loose without damaging further would also be welcomed. I can see the top side of the bonding strip is going to be hard to reach. Thanks in advance, Dan



Here is what I am looking at from the backside of the left wheel well :

[Dan B.]

Re: 63-64 Front Valence removal and replacement

Does anyone have even just a picture similar to the one I posted of that area in the wheel well of a properly finished panel?

[Peter M.]

Re: 63-64 Front Valence removal and replacement

Dan,
I will try and get some pictures tonight. The sunlight coming through the shop windows greatly effects the quality of the photos.
My car is a 67 but I think the configuration is pretty much the same.

[Alan D.]

Re: 63-64 Front Valence removal and replacement

See if these help, Mar64 car.

[Peter M.]

Re: 63-64 Front Valence removal and replacement

Dan,
Here you go. I hope you realize you could be in for some surprises! This could turn into a lot of work and expense.
There are lots of examples here and on the internet regarding separating the panels. The type of bonding adhesive will have a big effect.
Kind regards

[Dan B.]

Re: 63-64 Front Valence removal and replacement

Alan, thanks for those photos. Do you think that area in photo 2 is the original bonding? I've seen a wide variation of how much adhesive appears at that joint between cars I looked at so far. I don't know if that also varied between the years of 63-67 production.

Peter, those are some great shots, that's not an easy area to get pictures of on a finished car. Many cars I have seen have this clean look to the joint like in your photo #1, with some excess oozing out (non uniformly) like in photo's 4 and 5. I am not sure what specific type of adhesive was used on mine, but based on the age, it looks like the old Eckler's Vette panel adhesive and not one of the newer epoxy type products at least. It's going to be more of a challenge to do this on a finished car. Lot's of disassembly (removal of wheels, bumpers, hood, trim ect) just to gain enough room to even begin work. Many thanks for taking the time and effort to reply. Regards, Dan

[Alan D.]

Re: 63-64 Front Valence removal and replacement

Dan, The driver's side seems original (no hit). The passenger's side may have had some damage (per original owner) however I don't see much difference. Owned since Aug 67.

[Dan B.]

Re: 63-64 Front Valence removal and replacement

Helpfull additional follow up info Alan.

I am going to document the repair process when I get going on it. I am thinking this is an easily damaged area and some folks might be able to benefit from my experience, so I'll post the pics if there is any interest from you guys.

[Peter M.]

Re: 63-64 Front Valence removal and replacement

Dan,
Good luck.
It will be interesting to see your progress.
Kind regards

[Stewart L.]

Re: 63-64 Front Valence removal and replacement

How much misalignment is there? Is the grille centered in the opening and the mounting tabs not aligning with the grille? The grille is much more adjustable than the valance panel. If the grille is centered where you want it and the tabs aren't aligning, why don't you just relocate the tabs? Cut them off and relocate them where you want them.
It would be difficult to surgically remove the valance without damaging something, it is bonded at the bonding strips and the aprons. Plus there really isn't much alignment available when installing it, you would probably have to shorten one of the ends. I suspect there may be an underlying problem from previous repairs that may be larger than the valance alignment.

[Dan B.]

Re: 63-64 Front Valence removal and replacement

Stewart, the valence is 3/8 off center, the rest of the front fiberglass and hood aligns perfectly and shows no signs of prior repair. Thanks for confirming the aprons are also supposed to be bonded to the valence as well. Mine could definitely use some cosmetic repairs to improve the appearance. I appreciate that (I think) you are saying this may be opening a can of worms.

[Frank D.]

Re: 63-64 Front Valence removal and replacement

A little different perspective from my '63 repairs...
I think maybe moving the tabs might be a thought.....
I would check the centering of the depressions above the bumper support bars passing under the valence before changing anything...
Perhaps the tabs were put on wrong from the prior damage...

[Dan B.]

Re: 63-64 Front Valence removal and replacement

Frank, I am glad to hear other ideas about this. My 64 panel is the same as your pictured one. In my case, the valence was sloppily replaced in it's past with a nice GM replacement part that was simply not perfectly aligned at the time. All the tabs (except for one which I repaired) are as originally molded to the part, and the surround support rod holes are also off center by the same 3/8, so I have 2 separate points of measure that agree with each other.

I had thought about the suggestion to relocate the tabs (it would be easier certainly) but I really don't want to Bubba up an otherwise nice older GM part, that's not my style. An idea I came up with was to fabricate some small steel plates to offset the misalignment which could be easily removed in the future. The grill is solidly in place with the top and lower corner mounting, so functionality is not a problem and it's not noticable unless you are looking for it.

What this comes down to is "I know it's there", and that single phrase is what drives many of us to do stuff to these cars that no one will ever see. For now, I am going to start doing some cosmetics on the backside of the aprons and will see where that leads.
Thanks for your photo, I was kind of thinking you might have some pictures..........

[Douglas L.]

Re: 63-64 Front Valence removal and replacement

Dan,

Can you post a few pictures taken from the front of the car showing the approximate bonding point of the valence panel to the left and right turn signal panels and one of the valence panel and the turn signal panels all included?

[Frank D.]

Re: 63-64 Front Valence removal and replacement

For comparison -- same car, same valance -- only bonded in...