Trim Ring Comparison

[Floyd B.]

The first three pictures are the trim rings that came installed on my '69. The arrows are pointing out:
1) turned up lip around the inside edge of clip retainer ring
2) Slots for secuirng the clips and tangs on the clips the insert into the slots
3) a crinkled edge where the trim ring is rolled back over the clip retainer ring


69TrimRing_1.jpg69TrimRing_2.jpg69TrimRing_3.jpg


The following picture is a trim ring that came installed on our '73.
1) No turned up lip on the clip retainer ring
2) No slots on the clip retainer ring. Rather, the clip simply slips under retainer ring.
3) No crinkle on the trim ring where it is rolled back

73TrimRing_1.jpg

My question is:
1) Are both of these rings correct for thier respective years?
2) Are niether of these rings correct for thier respective years (i.e. reproductions)
3) Is one correct and the other a reproduction

Thanx,

-Floyd-

[Dave S.]

Re: Trim Ring Comparison

The first three pictures are the trim rings that came installed on my '69. The arrows are pointing out:
1) turned up lip around the inside edge of clip retainer ring
2) Slots for secuirng the clips and tangs on the clips the insert into the slots
3) a crinkled edge where the trim ring is rolled back over the clip retainer ring


[ATTACH=CONFIG]49320[/ATTACH][ATTACH=CONFIG]49321[/ATTACH][ATTACH=CONFIG]49322[/ATTACH]


The following picture is a trim ring that came installed on our '73.
1) No turned up lip on the clip retainer ring
2) No slots on the clip retainer ring. Rather, the clip simply slips under retainer ring.
3) No crinkle on the trim ring where it is rolled back

[ATTACH=CONFIG]49323[/ATTACH]

My question is:
1) Are both of these rings correct for thier respective years?
2) Are niether of these rings correct for thier respective years (i.e. reproductions)
3) Is one correct and the other a reproduction

Thanx,

-Floyd-

Floyd,
The third photo with the wrinkles on the backside is a poor attempt of rotating the steel ring to "index" the 4 clips so one is diectly behind the valve stem ole. It is a common bubba trick.

[Edward J.]

Re: Trim Ring Comparison

Floyd, My understanding is that the factory trim rings clips started at the valve stem and then there spaced 90 degrees apart. some of the NOS are just placed 90 degrees apart and they are started at any given position.As Dave says sometimes someone will try to put the clips at there correct position, which requires bending of the lips of the trim rings.

[Bill W.]

Re: Trim Ring Comparison

Dave I have seen many new OEM rings that were wavey out of the box when delivered in new cars in the late 70s .I think the earrlier ones were smooth .

[Dave S.]

Re: Trim Ring Comparison

Bill,
Not familiar with the newer style but all that I have seen from the 70's and 80's shuld have a smooth inner lip. It is very common to see these earlier trim rings altered. There s a Trrm ring restorer on Ebay that sells the altered rings as orginal and correct. Buyer beware.

[Paul O.]

Re: Trim Ring Comparison

The Trim ring in photo #4 is what I understand is the 1st design the clip is spot welded in place.

After that:
2. 2nd design clips lock in going from outboard to inboard
3. 3rd clips going inboard to outboard.

If there is further design differences on later rings not sure what they are.

[Sal C.]

Re: Trim Ring Comparison

Photo #1 & 2... 2nd or 3rd design depending on clip position (what Ed said). Photo #3....most likely 3rd design, Photo #4.... 1st design, used on 1968 through at least 1974 earliest of which (1968) had retaining ring painted black.

[Floyd B.]

Re: Trim Ring Comparison

Photo #1 & 2... 2nd or 3rd design depending on clip position (what Ed said). Photo #3....most likely 3rd design, Photo #4.... 1st design, used on 1968 through at least 1974 earliest of which (1968) had retaining ring painted black.

The top three photos are the same trim ring. Meaning they are most likely the 3rd design (or reproductions). The interesting thing is that this style of trim ring came off my '69 and the ring in the fourth picture came installed on my '73. The earlier design rings do have what is left of a flat black finish on the retaining ring - it doesn't show well in the pictures. It seems that I would do best by swapping rings between the two cars - especially since it is the '69 that I am most interested in getting correct.

Thanks for everyone's responses and help.

Have a Happy Thanksgiving and GOOOOOOO LIONS!!!