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GT Valance Fit

case12

Well-known member
Joined
Oct 8, 2004
Messages
1,450
Location
Crystal Lake, IL
After having my GT/CS in Mustang Times magazine, Jason mentioned I should trade out my "old school" chrome pipes sticking out from under the rear to the GT valance and tail pipes. I resisted for a while, but in doing all the engine work I decided to make it look right.

I bought an aftermarket valance, and had someone do the work for fit it and paint it. Unfortunately, no matter what he does, it does not fit. We have a good fit on the driver side (see pic), but not on the passenger side (see pic). The pictures make it look worse than it appears because of the shadows. But, for an OCD guy like me, it is a pretty big gap (I know these cars weren't perfect....so maybe that is ok?).

Thoughts? Leave it alone? Filler (not fond of the idea)? I am tempted to leave it alone. I am interested in your experiences. Casey
 

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Mosesatm

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Joined
Jan 18, 2005
Messages
9,011
Casey, I had the same issue with mine so I whacked it with a hammer!:icon_pani

Let me explain.

I folded a an old blanket until it was at least 6" thick and placed it against the valance, then I placed a 2x4 over the blanket, and smacked the 2x4 with a 5# dead drop rubber hammer. It took a few strikes but it worked beautifully.
 
P

PNewitt

Guest
For what it's worth, mine (which is stock) does that same gap thing--a little.

Another example how the rear valance engineer guy never had lunch with the rear quarter engineer guy at Ford back then to hash out the gap problem.

This is somewhat common, but it doesn't mean you can't hit it with a hammer! LOL! It's a "knack" thing with a hammer, re...like popping off champangne corks with one!!

Paul "more trivia than help" N.

:)
 

limelyt

Well-known member
Joined
May 24, 2006
Messages
308
Location
Calgary, Alberta CANADA
we found the same problem with our new valance, so we layed in down of the floor and pressed down on the curve till it matched the rear quarters. the fit was perfect when it was all done. nothing in the restoration hand book that says you can't bend it to fit, just do it before you paint it

Gary
 

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case12

case12

Well-known member
Joined
Oct 8, 2004
Messages
1,450
Location
Crystal Lake, IL
Casey, I had the same issue with mine so I whacked it with a hammer!:icon_pani

Let me explain.

I folded a an old blanket until it was at least 6" thick and placed it against the valance, then I placed a 2x4 over the blanket, and smacked the 2x4 with a 5# dead drop rubber hammer. It took a few strikes but it worked beautifully.

Sounds like experience from the forum so far is to beat it into place.
I assume you did this before you painted it. I am sorta stuck, having this one already painted. When I get her back I will have to check it out and see how much "beating" it can take. Or, I may just leave it alone. 99% of the people would probably miss it. As Paul said, many of the old cars didnt have very good fit anyway. Casey
 

Mosesatm

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Joined
Jan 18, 2005
Messages
9,011
Casey, I don't remember if it was painted or not, but knowing me it probably was.:embarass:
 

gtcs1

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Joined
Jun 17, 2006
Messages
350
Sounds like experience from the forum so far is to beat it into place.
I assume you did this before you painted it. I am sorta stuck, having this one already painted. When I get her back I will have to check it out and see how much "beating" it can take. Or, I may just leave it alone. 99% of the people would probably miss it. As Paul said, many of the old cars didnt have very good fit anyway. Casey


Hi,

I had some experience with "paintless dent repair" shop. You may want to give it a try, they've got good tricks to bend metal without affecting paint. If it's too much metal work, they can even warm up the paint with lamps before doing the work (they've done that on my car). It cost nothing to show it to them, see what the've got to say. If you decide to try that, ask for reference beforehand from contact, find the best guy in your area.

gtcs1
 

karolscali

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Joined
Dec 3, 2006
Messages
69
Location
alberta canada
can you wait for spring?

hey casey nicely done now can you wait for spring now? ps on the gear axle ratio how did you arrive on your decision of using 3.2 gears i am still pondering what ratio to use
 

robert campbell

Well-known member
Joined
Apr 10, 2007
Messages
4,321
Casey,
You have an example of the difference between a number one vice number two car. Number two is showroom perfect with all the original flaws. Number one is the same, with all the those flaws fixed. Some of the GT/CS cars were better than others in fit and finish. Yours is beautiful, so I bet you get it closer!

My cars are number three on a good day..... But fast!!!

Rob
 

heliaster

Active member
Joined
Oct 29, 2007
Messages
35
Location
Portland, OR
hey casey nicely done now can you wait for spring now? ps on the gear axle ratio how did you arrive on your decision of using 3.2 gears i am still pondering what ratio to use

This is just something I ran across (maybe in someone else's posting, I can't remember) when I was looking at gear ratios myself. It may not help but its fun to play with.

http://www.angelfire.com/fl/procrastination/rear.html
 

franklinair

Well-known member
Joined
Mar 1, 2007
Messages
4,741
This may seem too extreme, but it worked for me. I had a repo valance that did not fit properly at both ends. If we got one side to fit, the other side wouldn't. One or the other, but not both. Soooo - we cut the valance in half, dead center where the license plate covers it. Attached both ends to their respective quarters for a perfect fit. Then we Mig'd the valance back together, finishing both sides to a smooth finish & painted.
Neil
 
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