Correct 73 Cuda Front Valance Color

[RDF]

Does anyone know what the correct color the front valance on a 73 'Cuda should be?    I just got a NOS one and wanted to paint it the correct color before installing.

[GoodysGotaCuda]

I would think it is the correct color being NOS...got a picture? I think its a argent silver, should have some texture to it as well.

[RDF]

just this one....it's hard to see the color though....but it looks almost like it's primed and ready to be painted.......

Notice how in your pic, your grill and valance are the same color.....a bright silver, not the dull show in the pic.

[aarcuda33]

 I believe from your picture that your part is the "new " nos part . It is made by a different vendor than the original "assembly line part " . The newer ones are a much darker gray than the originals .
 If you are unfamiliar with the newer ones verses the older ones usually the easiest way to tell is the mold on the newer pieces leaves an indention on the ends when the screws go through where a older nos piece actually was the holes all the way through for the screws.
 Hope this is a clear describtion an helps

[GoodysGotaCuda]

Gotcha, I'm sure someone will have a link to the one you need. If you need pics of mine, just lemme know. You heading to Daytona tomorrow?

[RDF]

I believe from your picture that your part is the "new " nos part . It is made by a different vendor than the original "assembly line part " . The newer ones are a much darker gray than the originals .
 If you are unfamiliar with the newer ones verses the older ones usually the easiest way to tell is the mold on the newer pieces leaves an indention on the ends when the screws go through where a older nos piece actually was the holes all the way through for the screws.
 Hope this is a clear describtion an helps

YES, you are correct....I was wondering why those holes weren't drilled all the way!

Gotcha, I'm sure someone will have a link to the one you need. If you need pics of mine, just lemme know. You heading to Daytona tomorrow?

I can't make it out there....my car is overheating WAY too much....From the car show last weekend to my house (about 15 minutes away) I almost overheated.....had to take the long way home to avoid lights and to keep flow going through the rad.....

I don't know what's up with it lately, but I'm thinking of findind a shroud for now to see if that helps or do as you suggested and get a junkyard fan (electric) and try that out. 

[GoodysGotaCuda]

That sucks on the overheating. Have you ever changed the thermostat? Kinda odd that it would act up in the cool weather we've had lately. Drove mine around a couple times last week, didn't go over 165* with a 180* stat. Fan shroud would help, but I'd be more curious to the thermostat operation.

[RDF]

That sucks on the overheating. Have you ever changed the thermostat? Kinda odd that it would act up in the cool weather we've had lately. Drove mine around a couple times last week, didn't go over 165* with a 180* stat. Fan shroud would help, but I'd be more curious to the thermostat operation.

Changed it last sunday after the show....threw in a 180 (it had a 160 in it) and darn thing still overheats......I'm thinking my rad could be clogged......but there's no real way of finding out or cleaning it out (is there?) if that's the case.....

[GoodysGotaCuda]

Well, for the radiator. The top radiator hose (at operating temp) should be hotter than the lower radiator hose. Using a laser temp gun would be the best method (with another fan blowing at the radiator if possible). You should be able to feel it by hand as well. But becareful of the spinning fan when going for the lower!

Other possibilites:
Thermostat installation, just checking you did install the thermostat in the correct direction. Spring into the block.
Air pocket - It is possible to have a airlock somewhere in the engine causing cavitation and hot spots.

[RDF]

Well, for the radiator. The top radiator hose (at operating temp) should be hotter than the lower radiator hose. Using a laser temp gun would be the best method (with another fan blowing at the radiator if possible). You should be able to feel it by hand as well. But becareful of the spinning fan when going for the lower!

Other possibilites:
Thermostat installation, just checking you did install the thermostat in the correct direction. Spring into the block.
Air pocket - It is possible to have a airlock somewhere in the engine causing cavitation and hot spots.

One stumbling point I had when I removed the old thermo was I forgot how the new one went it.....as far as which was first, the gasket or the thermo.....I called my dad and he helped me figure it out.....I've got an indentation on the thermo neck where the thermostat sits, so the gasket would then go on the block first, then the thermo, then the housing.....but yet, I made sure the spring was in the block.  It sure seems weird that this has been happening as of late....I remember last summer just after we rewired the car, I took it for a LONG cruise to test directionals, headlights, etc. and it never got over 180.......seems like something has either clogged the radiator or like you said, it got an air pocket in there somewhere......

[DanGoodman]

I would try running it without the thermostat and see if it runs hot, of course if it does then it is not your thermo and if it doesn't you found your problem

JR

[hooD]

Does anyone know what the correct color the front valance on a 73 'Cuda should be?    I just got a NOS one and wanted to paint it the correct color before installing.

The lower front valance is not quite the same color as the grill.  It is more of a flat pale gray color and not as bright as the grill.  There is no texture to the valance as compared to the grill.  Also the orange outline going under the parking lights is something that I added when I was like 18 years old and not very smart. 

Do you have a clutch fan?  If you do it could be bad causing the over heating problem.  That happened to me.

[Moparal]

You say it started over heating after you re wired it?  Is the gauge mechanical or electric?  Just curious.  Does the water boil out of the radiator?  How is the lower hose?

[RDF]

I would try running it without the thermostat and see if it runs hot, of course if it does then it is not your thermo and if it doesn't you found your problem

JR

I ran it to the car show without a thermo (and had been without one the prior week for testing) and it still overheated....

Do you have a clutch fan?  If you do it could be bad causing the over heating problem.  That happened to me.

I don't have a clutch fan.......good thought though....

You say it started over heating after you re wired it?  Is the gauge mechanical or electric?  Just curious.  Does the water boil out of the radiator?  How is the lower hose?

Gause is near close to accurate.....once I get in the 240's and I'm sitting at a red light or in traffic, the car starts to bog and chug.....then once I shut it down and let it cool, I need to add fluid to make up for the overflow.....

[GoodysGotaCuda]

240* is really hot there bob, careful running it for that long. May be helpful to pull the lower radiator hose and check for junk that comes out (from the radiator). If there are signs of stuff you may be able to clear some of it out over the course of a couple days. What I have done before is sat the radiator on its back and filled it as high as i could with a full bottle of "coolant flush" and water, and basically just let it soak for a few days before washing it out. Worked decently and was cheap..

It also wouldn't be the first time a faulty "new" thermostat was sold. That is a possibility as well.

I ran it to the car show without a thermo (and had been without one the prior week for testing) and it still overheated....

There is a thoery behind running no thermostat can cause overheating in some vehicles. The system is designed to have that restriction of coolant where the thermostat is. The restriction helps keep the coolant in the radiator long enough to disappate the heat, coolant flowing too fast will no be able to lose enough heat. 'Possibly'. This was the case with my '70 Dart at one point, with no thermostat.