[165th]

Originally Posted by njsteve

And since the Polytech Autobody class started up again this week I started working on the polyethylene front valance that will be going back on this car. If you recall, I repaired a blue valance back in 2006 for the 1972 Trans Am. it ended up being a spare when I repaired the original white valance from the T/A. Here is the link from the original thread where I plastic welded the valance back together:

http://forums.maxperformanceinc.com/...433662&page=12
http://forums.maxperformanceinc.com/...433662&page=13

Since I had to recreate the outer edges of the valance with polyethylene welding rod, it was about 1/2" too short to match up with the fender edges and the lower portion of the nose.

Similar to the process of making a fiberglass mold off of an original, I used masking tape to cover the mating areas on the car, installed the valance (after redrilling the mounting holes in the valance to match the location of the mounting points on the radiator support). I then used a liberal slathering of rubber bumper repair compound and let it cure.





I then pulled the polyethylene valance back off and started hand sanding to get the contours. I also added the bumper repair material to the back side to mate up with the new flange areas. I reinstalled the steel valance and I brought the polyethylene valance to the Polytech class last night and started prepping the rest of the valance for primer and paint.

Great work Steve on the lower valance, can you post a pic or provide the brand/product of the brand of plastic repair you used?

[njsteve]

This is the stuff. I bought off of Amazon.com.
http://3mcollision.com/3m-automix-ez...kit-05895.html

The greenish stuff I used initially was an older similar version from another manufacturer that no longer sells it. I used the 3M stuff over the green layer and it is much nicer as it featheredges much better than the green stuff.

I also used an adhesion promoter and then primed the entire valance front and back. Polyethlylene is very hard to get anything to adhere to, so the primer gives the repair compound something to featheredge into.

[Formulabruce]

I use 3m #05887 that what you mean by older stuff?

[njsteve]

No, i had anther brand of stuff from NAPA previously.

[Pepi]

Originally Posted by johnta1

This help?

Hey Steve, were the hoses just disconnected or missing? If the original hoses were there and just disconnected, could you give us the lengths of all the vacuum hoses, even going to the EGR. 73SD and I have pm'd back and forth, and have been trying to get some good info on this stuff. With such an original survivor, that would be helpful.

Thanks,

[twov8sandat4]

Originally Posted by njsteve

Weird Coincidence #2:
The owner (a great guy by the way) showed me an old magazine from 1990 that had this car in a three page feature. The very next feature car in the magazine was my old 1971 yellow hemicuda convertible.

I knew this car looked familiar Was it "Muscle Cars of the 60s and 70s" magazine? I thought I had saved that issue when my wife asked me to clean "all those useless magazines" I had saved since the late 80s, but I can't seem to find it If I somehow manage to find it, I can send it to you if you'd like.

Either way, awesome car. Congratulations and good luck

[70Steve]

Next weird coincidence!...A guy named Steve on the other side of the world is sorting out old magazines, (and not getting very far 'cause I keep reading them!) when I pick up the Sept/Oct '90 issue of Muscle Cars of the 60's and 70's and spot a white 73 SD Formula. Just logged on to PY because I thought of this thread and the last post mentions the very mag I'm looking at. njsteve, if you don't have a copy, or twov8sandat4 can't find his, I'll post it to you.

[njsteve]

Please post it!

[njsteve]

I took the white car out today and did a 100 mile round trip. I had to go to PA to run an errand. She sure does cruise nicely at 75 with the 3.08 gears. When I got back, I pulled one of the spark plugs. It looked perfect: nice off-white insulator with a little hint of tan on the electrode.

After two weeks of sanding, priming, and repeating the process, numerous times, I should be painting the polyethylene valance on Monday. So stay tuned for the install.

[njsteve]

After the three hour Votech class last night both sides of the valance are painted and ready to go. I got to wield the paint gun myself for this, so it was rather satisfying to see it go from broken pieces, to primer, and on to paint all by my own hands.

[The Boss]

DAMN!

[LeighP]

Looks great!

[RamAir]

you cease to amaze me. do you hire out?

[Judge273]

So, you're a student at this class or adult trainee? Looks to be working out for you!

[johnta1]

Awesome results!

Part looks great.

[West Coast GTO]

Steve,
Now that is beautiful! If this is for the 73 SD, what was wrong with the original?

[njsteve]

The original owner replaced the cracked, assembly line installed, polyethylene valance with a warranty steel valance when the car was brand new.

[njsteve]

Originally Posted by Judge273

So, you're a student at this class or adult trainee? Looks to be working out for you!

The local high school offers an adult education course for the grow ups once a week for 12 weeks. For $400 you get to use the body shop along with expert advice. It's a bargain!

[Norwood]

Steve you are freeing yourself from the grip of the man....Nice Work, now you can have the pride of saying I DID IT...not I paid for it....

[Formulabruce]

Steve, there is not much visual in the hobby that is more rewarding than seeing your own paint work. Grats, looks great!! I dont see any orange peel. White is the perfect color to start on, and you nailed it!! Now you need a 4 post lift so every time you get it down every little bug on it is at eye level!.