Returning to under car exhaust; rocker panel brackets, pattern for vallance cutouts?

[Paul B.]

Hi,
I just bought a '67 SB driver that had sidepipes added many years ago.
I am going to return the car to under car exhaust (way too loud), but the rocker brackets have been cut and the rear valance holes filled.
This is a driver, not a car to be judged.

Form 034.jpg Form 029.jpg

1) I thought that I could buy new correct brackets and then cut and rivet to the cut originals, what do you think?
One is missing completely on the pass side, so I'll have to figure something out for that one.

2) the valance holes have been filled, does a pattern exist to cut new ones? The car was painted in lacquer about 25 years ago, so I'd prefer to use the existing panel that's on the car and not have to match paint on a new one.

Thanks,

Paul

[Gene M.]

Re: Returning to under car exhaust; rocker panel brackets, pattern for vallance cutou

Paul,
It looks, from your photo, like one could weld on a donor set of hangers grafted to what is left of the old ones. The one that is entire missing would need a couple of "carefully" placed tack welds to secure it.

The rear exhaust panel is not clear what to do. How well was the patch of the holes done? Was the entire fiber glass bezel opening removed and a new patch of glass and matting worked in? If the fiber glass bezel (white) is still there try to follow the opening from the inside to recreate the hole. A die grinder with a small burr would be my tool of choice. If the glass bezel was cut out, I suggest to get another valance panel.

I assume you are trying to avoid a repaint. So not much margin of error in cutting open the bezel hole. Make a template of a buddies bezel to gauge the opening. I did this once on a c3 but they have opened ends which is much easier. The bezel fit up tight and no evidence of rework showed. The 1/4 was not changed, just the valance panel.

[Paul B.]

Re: Returning to under car exhaust; rocker panel brackets, pattern for vallance cutou

Hello again Gene.
I'll order a new set of brackets, and try to find some decent used rocker moldings at Carlisle, fun fun.
As for the valance, the back side is smooth (almost). I think you're probably right, time to start with a replacement, I was hoping to not have to try and match 25 year old lacquer...

All the best,

Paul

[Jim T.]

Re: Returning to under car exhaust; rocker panel brackets, pattern for vallance cutou

I had 69 side exhausts that got loud and installed new side exhaust mufflers, made some difference. However with factory air in use, it helps.