72-CLASSIC_RIDE

Hi Alan, I have Doug's Full Length Headers on my 72. I have the 60 series BF Goodrich Tires currently, replaced the 350 CI w/ a 402 CI BB without changing to BB Front Springs. Car squats more in the front now and my Headers sit somewhat lower than I like. I had scrapped Flange bottom a couple of times when I have a passenger in the car but speed bumps and the like have not caused me any problems to date driving alone. Had I replaced the front springs, pretty sure I would have no issues and also with a higher profile tire would give me at minimum another inch clearance from the ground. I can measure from the floor to the bottom of Header flange if you like tomorrow as the car is in the garage off site. Not sure I can measure from header pipe pipe to floorboard but will try. Not a lot of room under there................... Just let me know.............. Doug

Makes things tougher when you have to mix & match! There should be (2) Lap Belts for the front seat that not only connect the Lap Belt(s) but also has a second slotted hole where you would connect the Shoulder Harness to and would decide for you which location they go. If you don't have this front seat design on any of the Lap Belts, not sure what to tell ya. In which case, I would consider they are for the rear Belts (but just my guess). All the best on sorting them out. Doug

Hope with all that traveling that those trees are still in good condition when they arrive. Here in Oregon, we are experiencing a Christmas Tree shortage due to the drought we had this past year in particular and the prices reflect that. Many can't afford them this year. Seems kinda funny in a State where the Douglas Fir is king, they are harder to come by. Doug

Completed the majority of my projects as I had planned and am now going to take a bit of a break until I conjure up other tasks moving forward. I think the pic's pretty much explains it.......... Spent the past few Months removing wax from body, used compound to clean up mild surface scratches and oxidization from paint & renewed painting lower trim & replacing missing/broken body molding clips/screws/misc. No good pic's (no Sun) that will show difference and when conditions are right will provide them. Anyway, decided to get a car cover to keep my work somewhat fresh over the Winter months. She needs her beauty sleep...................... Doug

Okay, found the plastic style clip going thru my Brothers spare nut/bolt/washer Pavilion. He saves everything and most often I can find it in his. Just an FYI - The Plastic Clip is a 5/16 X 5/16 snap in body in case your looking. There is a machine screw hole through it of course. Got it all back together now and the Rockers hold tightly now and the refresh of the paint made a noticeable difference. Not a machine screw as I had described it in pic, just a sheet metal stainless screw. Doug

Thanx! That will help me narrow it down. Doug

Thanx for confirming that Steve. Now I will pull that patch off and pursue a fix. Doug

I noticed plastic inserts were used on at least some models that would snap into place to secure screw to. Would this be a same type fastener? Unless I can find factory clip, I will likely make a modification (if needed) to hole to accommodate a replacement plastic style clip. Doug

Hi all, Finally got my lower moldings back on less completing the driver Rocker Molding piece. I am having difficulty determining what exactly happens per my picture I included. The threaded nut or? is missing to fasten Rocker Molding. A patch was made it appears to hold Rocker secure where screw should have been. I assume the pad shown was put on to dampen the Molding from hitting against body panel and used some type of sealer/adhesive to hold Rocker to patch. Anyway, does anyone have a Pic or description of what should have been here. Assembly Manual shows just a screw with a nut on back side. I would prefer not to remove passenger side to have a look as by doing this I might create a larger problem. This side is secure with all the clips whereas the driver side was missing (5) clips along with the damage in pic. I see no way to replace broken/missing nut as it is hidden, so am looking at a similar repair at least for now. I don't know if there was a special clip or metal piece that would have slipped onto Rocker dampening any crush from securing screw and haven't found anything to identify installation. New plastic clips installed on driver Rocker and a couple places where clips were missing elsewhere Any help appreciated to clear up my confusion. (I thought the NOS Rockers would have had the materials to make a complete installation but only factory clips were included. Both Clip packages were already opened and may have taken pieces from Clip packages? I have NOS Rockers and Front/Rear Side Marker Trim but elected not to use them, going with original. The original while not flawless was in good enough condition to use. Refurbished lower trim (all) by repainting & polishing. I also repainted/polished and resealed my Custom/Script Sail Panel Badgeing. ps; Happy belated Thanksgiving to all. Hope your Turkey Day was GREAT............................ Doug

Hey Dan, thanks for the info. I did finally order the Aveco Clips and will follow your advise when installing. As far as the Rocker Molding (missing) metal clip, now that I know what I am looking at, I can devise something for that fastener. Again, thanx................... Doug

PIC #1 Been looking at various Rocker Molding Clips and have (3) possibilities. As you can see in pic, 2 separate styles shown. I have fit both and appear either will do but the front spring on the 2 spring clip likely will have to be trimmed off or compressed closer to clip at minimum for it to work properly. Any ideas? The 2 spring style came with the NOS Rocker Panels I bought several years back and were opened packages of clips when I started looking for replacements. I would prefer to not use any that were with the NOS Rockers PIC #2 The pad where screw would fasten to rear of Rocker, does this pad belong there? I think someone modified this location & slathered with Silicone to keep it up against Body. There was no screw for Rocker on this side. I did not remove Rocker from Passenger side as I did not want to risk loosing Clip(s) when removed. Looked thru Assembly Manual but short on the info I was searching for. PIC #3 These were the Clips that were originally installed when I removed Rocker Molding from Drivers side. Were these original? PIC #4 This is the 2 separate Clip Styles and the Tool I will try to remove those Rocker Clips still attached to car. Any advise appreciated. Maybe the Part Numbers might help determining use. I know there are some purchased from Aveco I believe, P/N 8400 (that look like the ones still attached and leads me to believe they are not the original Clips. This has me confused on what originally was there. Anyway, any info to enlighten me would be GREAT. Doug

Surprisingly the Rocker Molding came off as Mike said it would. My experience is hardly anything comes off as easily. So next question is, per pic where screw is used on rear of Rocker Molding, someone simply filled around Rocker Molding some type of sealant I suspect to keep Rocker in place. What was originally at this spot other than the missing screw? Do I need to just replace the screw or is something different that needs attention? I didn't remove passenger side as it is secure. Are these Rocker Molding Clips in pic correct? I have a new set of Rockers with the Clips that are different than these shown. They are black in color and appear to be metal? I have no plans to use them as they are for the NOS set I have stored. Again, appreciate all the advise............................. Doug

I'll give that a shot Mike. That worked on the rear trunk molding and a couple of the lower side moldings but haven't experienced this type of clip removal as yet. Sounds easy so I know I will probably make a job out of it! Thanx for the tip Mike. Will attempt this today. Doug

I ordered them from the Parts Place. I found (4) rocker molding fasteners on another Site that I picked up as well. I think this should outfit me moving forward. What type of tool had anyone used to release the fasteners from the rocker molding? I have an idea what I might use but am concerned about damage to the paint. Doug

Have removed lower trim, refreshed & cleaned car prior to installation. I have discovered that I am missing (2) nylon clips for lower door molding and think I found 4 bottom rocker molding clips where a couple appear to be missing (haven't removed as yet). I suspect they were likely broken during repaint in 2005 and never replaced. Looks like someone attempted using a foreign type clip on rocker but did not secure rocker at that place. Any ideas on where I might find the lower door trim nylon clips? Thanx in advance for any info, Doug

Check around the Distributor and any oil pressure line(s) that come out of the Block that may be positioned in that area of the puddle you saw. What about the Dip Stick Tube? I am assuming the oil is dripping down from below the Intake Manifold? Hope you find it and it's an easy fix. Doug

Okay Aaron & thanx. Now I have a starting point. I was pretty sure I was missing something! I restored my sail panel badges and decided to go ahead and refresh the lower moldings to keep everything looking current. I was also curious what the sheet metal looked like underneath the moldings. I believe I have now inspected every nook & cranny of the ole girl While everything has been removed, going to spend some time using scratch removal compound on the paint. Just purchased a cordless orbital buffer/polisher from Ryobi and anxious to get started on that. So I plan to keep myself entertained this Winter inside the garage. See ya all in the Spring........................ Doug

Have removed most of my lower body trim and will recondition it. I still have (2) pieces attached right behind lower front fender & where door meets (One on each side)...................... Cautious putting much pressure on them as not sure how to remove. I see no screws visible & assuming it is clips hidden behind holding trim in place. How do these come off? Thanx for your reply(s) Doug

Got confirmation today and am #200! Going fast so get registered early............ Doug

I just recently replaced my driver side front caliper flex brake line hose. I remember I used a 7'16" wrench to remove/install the brake hard line back onto the flex hose but can't tell you a hard line thread. You should be able to get that from a new or the old flex hose. All the best with your project. Doug

I'm confused, You are putting her up to do what again? what Rob said. That looks remarkable under there! Kudo's on your attention to detail Darren. Those ramps look really stout................... Doug

Am now officially Registered & Room booked for the event. They were right saying how Internet Explorer does not work well for this On-Line Registration. I tried 4 times and kept asking me to provide info for 2nd Car (which I don't have) So changed to Firefox and it was a SNAP....................... Doug

Have you checked your thermostat? What Temp is it designed to Open/Close? Also, what is reading your Temp? Possibly a false reading? Historically, what temp was it running before? Do you have the correct Radiator Pressure Cap? I have a 402 and my factory temp gauge doesn't get above 190 degrees tops in the hottest days but I don't believe that gauge is all that accurate either. I haven't worried about it since I put a 2 Core Aluminum Radiator in around 7 years ago. I have heard Big Blocks don't like heat, so the lower you can maintain that Temp, I guess all the better. Good luck. Doug

I used Doug Thorley 1 3/4" Long Tube #313-C Ceramic Coated in my 72 Monte 402 CI with no fitment issues what so ever. One Tube on Driver side sits close to Potentiometer Valve on Frame but since install in 2010 hasn't caused a problem. The 3/8" Flanges are sturdier than many others and sealed very well. I tried torquing them once just to be sure they were secure but wasn't necessary. Best of luck on your choice.............. Doug

That is pretty cool.......... ... Thanx for sharing.......... Doug