63 Radiator Shroud lower Seal

[Carl S.]

I Received the shield from Paragon and they nicely included instructions. That is where the problem starts. The slanted edge on my old shield was located on the driver side and the curved edge was to the front. My seal had 9 staples they provide 5. The question is was mine installed corectley by the factory or is there instructions correct? Next question, do the staples go through the metal first then through the seal as mine did?

[Gary B.]

Re: 63 Radiator Shroud lower Seal

The AIM shows 5 staples with the curved portion facing rearward, however I have seen shrouds with more than 5 staples. If your shroud is original, I would replace the staples in the same holes that the factory did with the curve facing rearward as per the AIM. The staples go through the bottom of the shroud first and bend over the shield. (This is something that is checked in judging)

[Dan H.]

Re: 63 Radiator Shroud lower Seal

Carl, you might consider making your own staples from steel wire, much easier to bend and they are magnetic like the originals!
Dan

[Richard M.]

Re: 63 Radiator Shroud lower Seal

Ok, I just did this on our 63. Called a buddy who went through this too not that long ago on his 65 to verify it. He just top flighted at the FL Regional and got no deducts for his shroud seal or staples, etc.

Gary..........I thought the AIM showed the curved edge of the seal facing rearward also....BUT, I believe it's an optical illusion. If you look it appears the curve is both front AND rear. When you look at the AIM it is already installed so it's hard to see what goes where. If you install with the curve rearward, it doesn't align properly and the slant will be on the wrong side.

The curved part of the seal should face forward.(as your original was)

The slanted edge should go on the drivers side as the radiator shroud is cut at a angle also on that side.

AIM shows 5 Staples were used. Why your original had 9 is ???.

Staples were installed from the bottom, with bent ends facing up.

Rich

[Loren L.]

Re: 63 Radiator Shroud lower Seal

Size, # of Staples, orientation, etc. - let's keep it simple: Is there ANYONE out there that uses the correct material and an original pattern?

[Wayne W.]

Re: 63 Radiator Shroud lower Seal

The number of staples on these items, such at inner fender and shroud seals, depends on the whim of the machine operator. That machine made the staple and punched the holes in the same operation. The Guy operating the machine didn't care, he just stapled them. The holes are not pre-punched so no two are exactly alike. Inner Fender seals may have had as few as 5 staples or as many as 14.

[Carl S.]

. I put my seal on exactly as the original was on my 63 coup, curve to the front and 9 staples.

It is nice to have the support of everyone. I had the chance to go to the Florida regional and hang out as 5 63 were judged on friday. All of the owners and judges were great to talk with and supportive of my interest the process. It is great to be part of a hobby were everyone is interested in helping each other. I have missed placed my notes of the owners of all the cars being judged, but they all were great to me, but at times were quite worried and sometimes frustrated with the process but were grateful to learn from the process. Two people that I met one from my New Jersey who was a shadow judge Pappy, who I hope to connect with when he returns in the spring from Florida. Tom Perkinson and his wife from Canada Who drove 1500 miles to attend in their 63 coup and get Top Flight is very encouraging. I may not make the regional in NJ this spring but will be looking to have my 63 judged by late summer or early fall, if not by then maybe in Florida next year. My only obstacle to completion is getting the body painted at this time. Every thing else is ready for reassembly.

[Thomas S.]

Re: 63 Radiator Shroud lower Seal

I know this is an old thread. I looked at the AIM before installing the lower seal and thought the curved edge went towards the rear. The instructions from LIC showed the straight edge towards the front as well. My car was missing this piece so i had no reference.

so is this correct. The flexible shield is install on the outside edge of the lower curved portion of the metal radiator shield. The staples are installed through the flexible piece then up through the existing hole and bent over.

what is not clear to me is, if the curved edge is towards the front of the car, does the straight edge touch the frame cross member or is it suppose to sit on top of it? Page 73 of Nolan's book has a under lift image which shows the flap

.

[Thomas S.]

Re: 63 Radiator Shroud lower Seal

[Carl S.]

Re: 63 Radiator Shroud lower Seal

I have a lot of photos of my install of the seal, I would be glad to e-mail them to you, they would clear up your questions. I have not figured out how to attach photos or size them to enable their attachment to a thread. Send me a e-mail at ctvett@verizon.net and I will forward them to you they are very clear.