70 Cuda Rear Valence Hardware

I’ve been trying to figure out the different types of fasteners used to attach the rear valence to the brackets at the top and base of the valence.

I just saw a survivor 70 Hemi Cuda with really long Philips taper-head screws and a loose washer attaching the valence at the bottom. See the first pic. I’ve also seen the lower part attached with the pan-head Phillips head screw with the washer attached, as in the 2nd picture. This screw looks to be the same screw that attaches the fuel neck seal to the trunk floor.

What have others found for the types of fasteners used to attach the valence? Does anyone have an example of the fasteners used on a 70 LA Build?

There was an article 3 or 4 years back in Mopar Action about Frank Badelson's unrestored Challenger T/A, and the rear valence hardware was one of the details they showed a picture of and details on the fasteners.
When I got my car back from the experienced Mopar restoration shop that was skeptical of any input I gave on my project since they already knew everything (sarc), I found they'd mounted the valence with regular phosphate coated bolts, which didn't put a smile on my face.
Frank sells a kit with the proper screws, which look the same as shown in your picture (his part number 70VAL). I replaced the bolts the shop used with the screws and washers from Frank's kit and after touching up the paint marred by the bolt heads, it looks like it should!
My convertible's rear valence is mounted with the same screws and washers.
I assume they used the same hardware to mount valences at both plants, obviously my cars were built at Hamtramck, not LA. Hopefully a LA expert can confirm they are same.
Sorry to go OT, but since things I found done wrong on my restoration is on my mind, I found the shop painted my rear brake backing plates silver or cast iron gray, which doesn't seem right to me. I saw an NOS set not long ago that were black, were backing plates installed at the plant painted black, or are they bare steel?

Thanks for the info, Mastershake. As I've been slowly restoring my Cuda, I've found that VERY few people actually know what is correct for various detail items on E-Bodies. That’s why I’ve started taking a lot of pics of unrestored 70’s so I have some evidence for what was used, and how it was applied. Very time consuming, though…

Does Frank's kit have the long sheet metal screw from the first pic with a separate washer, or the shorter screw with an attached washer? Or both? What was on your car originally?

I’ve found that LA cars used different fasteners for some of the applications on the car, which is why I’m hoping someone has a pic of an unrestored LA Cuda. The valence screws could be the same as Hamtramck, however.

Regarding the backing plates – For cars equipped with a Dana, the backing plates were grey phosphate. Not 100% sure on an 8 ¾ differential, but I have a pic of Dave Walden's 70 Challenger and they appear to be bare steel. I know these backing plates were NOS. See below.

IIRC Frank's kit had all the necessary hardware and I was very pleased with it. As to what was on my car originally, my project got stalled out over too many years, I'd started disassembling in '99, and didn't document everything as well as I should have. I do have the remains of one of the valence brackets, which was corroded and replaced, and it had one of the long screws installed in it.
Thanks for the picture of Dave's backing plates. They do look natural cast iron. The resto shop painted mine with something more silver, not cast iron paint.
They also didn't put any markings or paint daubs on my axle housing, and painted the pumpkin with a paint I'd call battleship gray, when I wanted it natural unpainted iron, so I really need to take the rear axle off and redo everything.

Survivor.

The backing plates have a greenish / brown plating on them

Nice survivor pics.

But to get back to the original intent of the thread, does anyone have any reference pics of the valence attaching hardware?

Rob,

This is off my 70 Challenger R/T built in Hamtramck. It's a V code CA car so no exhaust tips.

Don't know if it's correct as I have seen the super long screws too.

The threaded length was 3/8" and with the self tapping notch.

I'll check my collection of 70 valence brackets to see if any of those have the long screw.

Chris

In November 2012 Mopar collectors guide there was a Frank Badalson article where he references a Pink T/A Survivor. Here is a paraphrase of what he says about this car and many of the originals he has looked at.

The (4) top many times are 8-18 phillips head about 1-1/4" long tapping screws with loose washer despite the fact that the captive nut is for 10-24 machine screw.

For the bottom bolts he says that he has found the same as above and also 10-24 phillips pan head, 5/8" long with a .44 captive washer. T

Since this is referencing a T/a car I would assume most of this information would pertain to a Hamtramack built car.

Mike Afflerbach

Thanks Chris and Mike. Great information!

Chris - It's interesting that the washer used on your valence is locking. Didn't expect to see that type used...

I would also agree that the T/A Info is representative of Hamtramck builds.

I'm really surprised they used the 8-18 screw since the length is so much longer than actually needed, plus the captive nuts are not that thread.

Now if I could only find an LA example to reference...

Rob

Rob,

Here are some parts that came off a LA car most likely.

The top screw is 1 3/16" from the bottom of the washer to the end. It has a captive washer.

The bottom is 1/2" from the bottom of the washer to the end. It has a captive washer.

Chris

Thanks, Chris. If you could add a pic when you have time, that would help.

Rob

DOPE!

I forgot to add the pic

Both pieces are the longer Barracuda type and I positioned them so both screws could be in one photo.

Hope it helps.

Awesome. Thanks Chris. That is a big help! Now I just need to find the longer 10-24 screws with the captive washer. I have the 5/8" screw already.

I would assume the same hardware was used on the 70 only valance and the 71-74 valance

Nope. 71+ was revamped to have the bracket part of the valence. This is all 70 only stuff

Interesting thread! I had the same problem trying to find correct fasteners for my very original 70 Cuda I restored about 8 years ago. Looked at my old resto pictures of the car and found a picture of (I think) the long screws. I did not use them, as they seemed too long.... I thought were wrong.

Mike

Those are wrong unfortunately. The correct hardware are machine screws with captured washers.

Chris,

The picture at the top of my thread showing the long 8-18 sheet metal screws is from an unrestored/survivor 6100 mi 70 Hemi Cuda, Hamtramck build. There was also a 4700 mi unrestored/survivor AAR at the same show that also had the exact same hardware on the lower part of the valence.

I also always thought the longer screws were incorrect, but then I saw these 2 cars with early and mid-year build dates with the screws. Now I believe some were equipped with these from Hamtramck.

Yes, but are the screws flat or conical? A conical screw into a flat washer doesn't make much sense.

The screws appear to be conical. And I agree with you 100%, it doesn't make sense for that type of screw to be used for that application.

I have seen this same exact screw also on OE valences. Does not make since but I have see it.

Ken