1960 radiator support lower baffle question

[Donald H.]

I have attached a picture from the AIM that shows (or at least I think it shows) how the fiberglass baffle between the radiator support and lower front nose of the body is attached.

If I am understanding it correctly the baffle was bonded/glued to the inner fender skirts at a spot on each side (see circle in the photo). The baffle was attached to the lower front nose with three hex head screws and J-nuts.

Can someone with a 60 that believe theirs is correct verify the above? Also, the second photo is of the bolts I intend to use. Do these look correct?

We've replaced the front end and need to attach the baffle. The old one that I removed only had two screw at positions marked (1) in the picture and was not glued. And it was attached with regular round had machine scews with nut and washers on the inside. Of course, I doubt what I took apart was anywhere near correct given other things done to the car.


Thanks,
Don

[Philip P.]

Re: 1960 radiator support lower baffle question

Don, I will try to get under my car in the morning and see if I can get some information for you.. It is cold here and will need to get me and the car area warmed up first.
Phil

[Donald H.]

Re: 1960 radiator support lower baffle question

Don, I will try to get under my car in the morning and see if I can get some information for you.. It is cold here and will need to get me and the car area warmed up first.
Phil

Thanks very much.

[Thomas H.]

Re: 1960 radiator support lower baffle question

Don,

From my original 60.

Tom

Edges are bonded, pretty sloppy too



Bolt side:



Clip side

[Donald H.]

Re: 1960 radiator support lower baffle question

Tom thanks for the pictures,

Looks like mine screw will work.

Is the baffle bonded to the fender skirt only as per what I though the AIM shows? Or, is it also bonded to the lower front nose of the body panel?

Also, do you have three of the screws holding the baffle to the nose?

[Thomas H.]

Re: 1960 radiator support lower baffle question

Tom thanks for the pictures,

Looks like mine screw will work.

Is the baffle bonded to the fender skirt only as per what I though the AIM shows? Or, is it also bonded to the lower front nose of the body panel?

Also, do you have three of the screws holding the baffle to the nose?

Baffle appears to be only bonded at the skirts.

Yup, three screws.

[Donald H.]

Re: 1960 radiator support lower baffle question

Baffle appears to be only bonded at the skirts.

Yup, three screws.

Thanks very much, that is exactly what I needed to know.

Don

[Keith R.]

Re: 1960 radiator support lower baffle question

I had the same question. Before I sent the car to the painter/body guy, I removed the baffle which was mounted with three screws and J-nuts to the front lower valance as shown in the AIM along with four bolts where it mounts to the radiator baffle support. When I got the body back, the baffle was glued/bonded all the way across the front to the lower grille valance without the three front bolts. I checked with another NCRS member who is restoring a 61 and he said that his car is the same way. This differs from the 1960 AIM and Tom Howey/Bob Baird's description on page 335 of their 58-60 Restoration Guide. Did GM glue the baffle to the front valance in 1961 instead of screwing it? Vendor reproduction baffles are represented as fitting all 1958 to 1962 Corvettes.

[Pat H.]

Re: 1960 radiator support lower baffle question

My original baffle on my 59 badly damaged was bonded to the inner fenders and had the 3 screw bolts with the J clips. I've seem cars on the judging field without the 3 screw bolts and J nuts, just bonded. The originals have an indent to accommodate the J nut where as many replacement do not have this indent. Make sure the replacement piece you buy has this indent.

[Keith R.]

Re: 1960 radiator support lower baffle question

Thanks for responding Pat. I am of the opinion that the baffle should be bonded at each of the inner fenders and NOT bonded across the front of the lower valance but secured with three bolts and J-nuts. If anyone else can confirm this as well, I'd greatly appreciate it. Thanks again.

[Mike E.]

Re: 1960 radiator support lower baffle question

I'm no 60 expert, but I do know that 62's all were bonded across the bottom. Don't remember about 61's.

[Keith R.]

Re: 1960 radiator support lower baffle question

I'm no 60 expert, but I do know that 62's all were bonded across the bottom. Don't remember about 61's.

Thanks for responding Mike. I thought that might be the case with 61's and later. Do any 61 or 62 owners have an AIM that shows it bonded across the front valance rather than screws and J-nuts? My AIM is for '58 to '60.

[Keith R.]

Re: 1960 radiator support lower baffle question

I think that I've figured this out. My late January 1960 build had the baffle secured at each end to the inner fender skirt with two screws and nuts and bonded on each side. It was not bonded across the front but secured with three screws. Page L144 of the AIM confirms this. Note 4 of the revision record shows that screws and nuts on each end were deleted on 4-4-60 and just bonded. I also consulted with another member's 1961 AIM and the baffle in that year was just bonded on the ends and along the front - no screws along the lower valance. So it seems that GM deleted the side screws from the inner fender skirt to the baffle around April 1960 and baffles were secured with a bond on each end and the front three screws until the 1961 model year where they were bonded on the sides and along the front.