70 Carlisle parts observations

[Dennis D.]

Couple of things I picked up at Carlisle got me to think. After passing on a 70 nos side grille,(eggcrate), in favor of an excellent used pair, I noticed something. The Nos piece was painted black as were other nos of this piece I have seem. I stripped the pair when I got home, and noticed they were also black under the top coat. In stripping the black there was no primer. Just the black applied over the flashed chrome. In fact where the chrome ended down into the eggcrate design the surface was quite rough. Was this done to give the paint a "tooth" to the metal? What was the black paint? GM Chassis?

The other thing: the exhaust tips on the 70-72 models.I know it's been discussed to death here, but I noticed another,(4th), difference in this piece. There's the original production with the (1)seamless bottom, (2)the seamed bottom with the part #W, and (3)the stainless repop.

I happen to see 2,(what were being called NOS), sets of the bottom seamed, part numbered ones. Strange thing is one set had a slit on the top and bottom of the end 2" pipe for clamping to the muffler. The other set had a slit on the bottom but a "V" shaped slot on the top. This is the same slot as on my original ones. This slot was to align the tip when mated to the welded tab on the muffler end originally.(as seem in the AIM).

I have to think that this replacement piece with the bottom weld, part number, and slot on the top pipe end, was the first made as a service piece, then the 2 slotted version,(since the welded muffler tab never made it on the service muffler), and lastly the SS piece. Making for 4 different pieces. Any thoughts???

BTW, I missed Joe Lucia at the Doc's space. Great event.

[Tony Merendino]

Re: 70 Carlisle parts observations

Unfortunately i cannot answer your questions but instead have one of my own. I have noticed 2 types of side louvers one of which has a beveled edge and the other has a flat edge on the grille edges. Which one is correct for a 70?

I know the part numbers are 3966797 & 8 but unfortunately I didn't have the numbers with me and I passed on a nice set at Carlisle since I wasn't sure.

[Dennis D.]

Re: 70 Carlisle parts observations

The 70 has the smooth vertical edges and the beveled horizontal edges within the grid. Its easier to tell from the back as the 70 piece is flat in the grid area and a good 1/2 inch wide.

[Dennis D.]

Re: grill front pic *NM*

[Dennis D.]

Re: grill back pic *NM*

[Dennis D.]

Re: top tip tab *NM*

[Dennis D.]

Re: tip number/ weld/slot *NM*

[Chuck S.]

Re: 70 Carlisle parts observations

Tony, after about serial number 1450 in 71, and all 72 have raised ribs on the vertical trailing edge of the louvers that are the same "height" as the horizontal edges. The TIM&JG indicates that both types are seen in 71 between serial number 1450 and 3600. These ribs are not painted, but left chrome like the horizontal edges. The louver trailing edges for 70 have no raised ribs and are painted; only the horizontal edges are chrome in 70.

Dennis, when I stripped my side louvers, I also found the black paint. I think it's a primer, but I'm pretty sure it's not the lacquer based black primer used on chassis parts (PN 1050104). I found the black paint to be a coating from hell...almost unstrippable. It may have been some kind of epoxy, or a coating designed to adhere to the chrome as you suggested. I also found the louver chrome sufaces under the paint to be very rough; I also thought it was for adhesion.

[Tony Merendino]

Re: 70 Carlisle parts observations

Thanks Dennis and Chuck. I am glad I didn't buy the louvers I saw as they were for later cars.

[William C.]

Re: top tip tab

The louvers are also dated on the back side, at least the pair I sold at Carlisle were dated.