330 GTC Front Lower Valance; Original??? | FerrariChat
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330 GTC Front Lower Valance; Original???

Discussion in 'Vintage (thru 365 GTC4)' started by machineryhill, Dec 31, 2011.

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  1. machineryhill

    machineryhill Karting

    Nov 11, 2011
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    Dan
    #1 machineryhill, Dec 31, 2011
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
    I bought a replacement fiberglass front lower valance from Bill at GT Car Parts. I thought it was a good part at a good price from a good guy.

    However, I don't know how much trouble I should go through to fit it to the sheet metal to make it look right. The front lip that gets bolted to the body is flat and doesn't follow the contour around the air scoops under the grill.

    Does anybody have one believed to be original? It would help if I could see or hear how it's fitted. I also don't know if they all originally came with the large (like 2"?) hole that I've seen in them. Attached are photos of my new one temporarily fitted to the holes that were already in my sheet metal.

    Thanks very much,
    Dan
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  2. Argento839

    Argento839 F1 Veteran

    Oct 21, 2005
    9,103
    #2 Argento839, Dec 31, 2011
    My vote is no.
     
  3. machineryhill

    machineryhill Karting

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    Dan
    #3 machineryhill, Dec 31, 2011
    The valance I bought is a reproduction, but I'm trying to figure out how the originals were fitted.

    Thanks,
    Dan
     
  4. tritone

    tritone F1 Veteran
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    #4 tritone, Dec 31, 2011
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  5. machineryhill

    machineryhill Karting

    Nov 11, 2011
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    #5 machineryhill, Dec 31, 2011
    Thank you! Looks like yours might be mounted a little farther back than mine to avoid the air scoops.
     
  6. xs10shl

    xs10shl Formula 3

    Dec 17, 2003
    2,037
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    #6 xs10shl, Jan 1, 2012
    It made my engine run warmer due to the change in airflow around the sump. Depending on your specific driving condition, that could be a good or bad thing.
     
  7. JazzyO

    JazzyO F1 World Champ

    Jan 14, 2007
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    Onno
    #7 JazzyO, Jan 2, 2012
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  8. ersatzS2

    ersatzS2 Formula Junior

    Jan 24, 2009
    862
    Norfolk VA
    #8 ersatzS2, Jan 2, 2012
    hmm, yours seems to have a slight dimple between the ducts. Thanks to all for posting. I have the same repro valance which I haven't mounted yet, so appreciate the advice too.
     
  9. machineryhill

    machineryhill Karting

    Nov 11, 2011
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    Dan
    #9 machineryhill, Jan 2, 2012
    Yes, thanks very much. I had seen this before, but just an uncertain memory. No large hole in it and loose fit at the corners and middle. My car is of similar vintage to yours Onno and even though it seems silly, I'll probably shape mine to match yours in the middle.

    It's funny that the hole in Tritone's valance looks slightly off center, which I've seen in photos before too. I have no idea what the big hole was for.

    Dan
     
  10. tritone

    tritone F1 Veteran
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    #10 tritone, Jan 2, 2012
    "Dimple' looks pretty much the same to me; the hole in the red one I assumed was for the radiator overflow; fluids would not drain out the rear. I've seen 2 others like this, 1 other with no hole.

    Thank goodness the judges never got on their hands and knees in the olden days; I would never have known what to say about this ;)
     
  11. DavidSB

    DavidSB Karting

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    #11 DavidSB, Jan 3, 2012
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  12. regaliaconcours

    regaliaconcours Formula Junior

    Jul 6, 2006
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    MICHAEL REGALIA
    #12 regaliaconcours, Jan 4, 2012
    The valance flange should attach at the base of the lower vents(not further forward) along the flat at the very rear edge of the lower nose panel, therefore avoiding the scalloped area between the vents. You can clearly see where this is and the mounting holes should be along that plane, and will dictate where to mount. In fact you would not be able to reach the rear mounting brackets if you were that far forward. I've seen both hole and no hole in original valances. Regards, Mike
     
  13. wmuno

    wmuno Formula Junior
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    #13 wmuno, Jan 13, 2012
    My 330 GTC is a later production model that has the oil cooler in the radiator (10705). I've the car since 1978. The valance and the location of the mounting holes are original. The 4 mounting holes are about 1 inch from the rear of the lower sheet metal. When installed the valance lays flat on the sheet metal. The two outside bolts actually bend the flont lip of the valance somewhat to match the slight curve (left to right) in the sheet metal. As a suggestion, put a thin strip of black rubber on the inside lip of the valance to protect the paint on the lower sheet metal.

    The hole in the valance is original; on my car it lines-up with the valve to drain the water from the radiator.
     
  14. michael bayer

    michael bayer Formula 3

    Aug 4, 2004
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    #14 michael bayer, Jan 15, 2012
    If you drive the car a lot consider isolating the fiberglass from the attachment bolts with two rubber washers to prevent those through bolts from "eating" big holes in the fiberglass from the transmitted normal vibrations and shocks M
     
  15. trpdds

    trpdds Rookie

    Apr 16, 2011
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    Timothy Reid Pearson
    #15 trpdds, Jun 15, 2013
    Does anyone know of a metal reproduction front valance for a 330 GTC? With modern CAD systems it should be reproducible in aluminum or steel.
     
  16. TTR

    TTR F1 Veteran
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    #16 TTR, Jun 15, 2013
    Last edited: Jun 15, 2013
    CAD ?? With all due respect, let's please not forget that any skilled "old school" panel fabricator worth his/her slap-file should be able to make one using similar methods employed originally (as shown in the last picture of posting # 11 ?). And if "better-than-original" (custom) fit is preferred, it should be done with and fitted for the specific car in question.
    Timo
     
  17. machineryhill

    machineryhill Karting

    Nov 11, 2011
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    #17 machineryhill, Jul 2, 2013
    Weren't the originals fiberglass?

    Dan
     
  18. cheesey

    cheesey Formula 3

    Jun 23, 2011
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    #18 cheesey, Jul 2, 2013
     
  19. cheesey

    cheesey Formula 3

    Jun 23, 2011
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    #19 cheesey, Jul 2, 2013
    don't think that part wants to be made of metal, every time it runs into something it would leave a dent... the "plastic" material rebounds after contact
     
  20. Jumprun

    Jumprun Karting

    Feb 7, 2012
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    T. Martinez
    #20 Jumprun, Jul 2, 2013
    What is the function of this part? to keep bugs off the radiator tank? air flow? cosmetic? surely it can't be intended as protection against any type of hard strike?

    I too bought one from GT Parts last year, it fit pretty well after some minor trimming of the edges. I fitted some thin black rubber channel all around the edges to give it a finished look.

    TM, 11157
     

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