Posted By: AAR#2
1970 Cuda (AAR) Rear Valence Stone Deflector Support Bracket - 09/04/17 07:57 PM
It appears I've struck out on another forum, so here goes.
So years back when I disassembled my AAR rear valence I remember saying to myself "What jackass was fiddling around back here and stuck these cruddy oval head sheetmetal screws and washers in here to attach the rear valence", but I bagged them and stuck them on a shelf for later investigation.
Fast forward a couple years, OK 8, and while I'm able to find very little on the topic I have managed to find a few threads with cryptic writings that mention these.
So what I found on mine was a #8 x 1 1/4" chrome plated sheetmetal screw with a #8 washer (finish undetermined at the moment, but it was black in color after doing a light cleaning, I may have incorrectly assumed black chromate)
When I first looked at the installation I figured it must be a machined thread on the attached rectangular insert thats welded to the stone deflector brackets, and after trying various threads on all 4 locations none could be threaded. Much to my surprise the sheet screw that was originally installed was a perfect match on all 4 locations, and I don't mean a match like someone stuffed a sheetmetal screw into a machine thread.
Then I managed to stumbled upon an old thread here where a few folks mention the exact same setup as mine, #8 chrome sheet screw and a loose washer, even posted a picture! The screw was a ringer for mine but the washer pictured was just a bit thicker, but appeared to be about the same dia.
So my question(s) are;
Was this an early 1970 thing only?
Maybe just a parts shortage on the AAR line?
Any idea when this setup was replaced for a more favorable machine head/threaded bolt?
I'm 100% positive the screw is chrome plated and cleaned up very well, any idea what the washer plating was?
I had earlier mentioned mine was black after a light cleaning but in hind sight believe it was black due to the bright zinc coating giving it up with the dissimilar metal, largely because I can't imagine Ma MOPAR chroming screws and placing a black or phosphated washer beneath it.
I did manage to find this bit of support from the Gibson/Badalson parts listing;
NEW! And never before available, CORRECT 70 e-body upper (rear) valence mounting kit. Authentic small head oval Phillips screws with loose washer. Kit contans 4 screws, 4 washers, 4 U-nuts; this is the mounting hardware for across the top of the valence. (Unsure why the 4 U-nuts, only need two, the other two in this kit would have the welded rectangular nut on the back of the bracket)
and of course you would need these also;
70 E-Body bottom valence screws. 2 original phillips head screws for
bottom of valence at frame support straps (and here he doesn't mention the loose washers)
Any support of finds or comments appreciated.
So years back when I disassembled my AAR rear valence I remember saying to myself "What jackass was fiddling around back here and stuck these cruddy oval head sheetmetal screws and washers in here to attach the rear valence", but I bagged them and stuck them on a shelf for later investigation.
Fast forward a couple years, OK 8, and while I'm able to find very little on the topic I have managed to find a few threads with cryptic writings that mention these.
So what I found on mine was a #8 x 1 1/4" chrome plated sheetmetal screw with a #8 washer (finish undetermined at the moment, but it was black in color after doing a light cleaning, I may have incorrectly assumed black chromate)
When I first looked at the installation I figured it must be a machined thread on the attached rectangular insert thats welded to the stone deflector brackets, and after trying various threads on all 4 locations none could be threaded. Much to my surprise the sheet screw that was originally installed was a perfect match on all 4 locations, and I don't mean a match like someone stuffed a sheetmetal screw into a machine thread.
Then I managed to stumbled upon an old thread here where a few folks mention the exact same setup as mine, #8 chrome sheet screw and a loose washer, even posted a picture! The screw was a ringer for mine but the washer pictured was just a bit thicker, but appeared to be about the same dia.
So my question(s) are;
Was this an early 1970 thing only?
Maybe just a parts shortage on the AAR line?
Any idea when this setup was replaced for a more favorable machine head/threaded bolt?
I'm 100% positive the screw is chrome plated and cleaned up very well, any idea what the washer plating was?
I had earlier mentioned mine was black after a light cleaning but in hind sight believe it was black due to the bright zinc coating giving it up with the dissimilar metal, largely because I can't imagine Ma MOPAR chroming screws and placing a black or phosphated washer beneath it.
I did manage to find this bit of support from the Gibson/Badalson parts listing;
NEW! And never before available, CORRECT 70 e-body upper (rear) valence mounting kit. Authentic small head oval Phillips screws with loose washer. Kit contans 4 screws, 4 washers, 4 U-nuts; this is the mounting hardware for across the top of the valence. (Unsure why the 4 U-nuts, only need two, the other two in this kit would have the welded rectangular nut on the back of the bracket)
and of course you would need these also;
70 E-Body bottom valence screws. 2 original phillips head screws for
bottom of valence at frame support straps (and here he doesn't mention the loose washers)
Any support of finds or comments appreciated.