reav valance install

[fredzilla]

So, I thought this was gonna be easy.
Trying to install 86 style McLaren rear valance.


First off the tail pipes, dont line up with the exhust cut outs. So I needed
to shift tail over about a 1/2 inch to the left.

Second I'm having a "hell of a time" trying to eliminate the seam
along the bottom of bumper cover where the valance meets it.
any sugestions or helplful hints appreciated.

[tfs2121]

do you have the finishing strip? if so try stapeling it to the rear valance befor the install. make sure you start in the middle of the rear bumper when you start riviting the valance to the bumper.

if you dont have the finishing strip STOP call hank wait for it to come in the mail then start again

[fredzilla]

Finishing strip ?.. is that what it needs ...??

[negusm]

Finishing strip ?.. is that what it needs ...??

Yep. But it's a PITA to work with. A 2 or 3 man job.

Do you have the hard plastic rear valence or the bendy kind?

The one I got from Hank 10 years ago was the old style hard plastic one. The body guy tried to use the finishing strip and bolt it into place but it kept busting where the bolts went. So he said screw it and used some SEM epoxy and glued it in and then filled the seam smooth. It looks perfect now...but isn't 100% correct with what the asc factory did. But I like it and can live with it.

-Mike

[Sandy]

IF it's so hard to get it correct, it makes me wonder how the factory did it?

[tfs2121]

the factory used stapels... when i got my car there was about a 10" pice of the rear valance left and the finishing strip is stapeld to the valance by ASC. i didnt have that hard of a time getting it on i think the hardest part was getting the rivits in. hey mike you had to have a bunch of animal lovers help you? haha just kiddin

i think the strip should be painted the color of the car but my original was black so i left the new one black.

if you dont want to get it from hank the finishing strip is what they put around the edge of desks (atleast the ones at my school) and stuff its kind of hard but still plenty bendable

[tfs2121]

IF it's so hard to get it correct, it makes me wonder how the factory did it?

also hanks finishing strips are not exactly the same as what ASC used but they are close... ill post a pic of what the factory pice that came off my car looks like

[tfs2121]

check out the first 4 pics in my album there should be a description with each pic of what im trying to show (just put your mouse over the pic befor clicking on it to get the description)

hope this helps!

[negusm]

Peter the rear finishing strip on your car is correct.

Front finishing strip = Painted body color.

Rear Finishing Strip = Left Black

Just asc trying to be weird.

-Mike

[tfs2121]

oh got them mixed up anyways i left the front black too

but the strip i got from hank is not 100% correct its for sure different then the one that was on the car when i got it

[Sandy]

That's how my 1986 Coupe is too, Front Black, back Smoke Charcoal Gray.

[Sandy]

Pete, please tell, what letters or name is stamped into that valance (backside). Is it a company name? If so, What ? ? ?

[RARE-ASC]

It's Kinda like working on a kit car

[fredzilla]

The old original hard style valance looks thinner too. Atleast this newer
style bends, somewhat.

Thanks Peter for the great info and pictures you posted.

[negusm]

That's how my 1986 Coupe is too, Front Black, back Smoke Charcoal Gray.

Doh, maybe I have them backwards in my head.

-Mike