LS6 Chevelle inner fenders - Page 2

**Mr70** · #11 12-08-2006, 08:01 PM

This is so tachless, but I'd Leave it the way Chevrolet built it.

The fiber fender skirts were actually made first for the new 1970 Monte Carlos,because it had the longest/heaviest hood (6' feet),among all the other cars in it's fleet at that time.They were also designed to help with road rock noise and help buffer the engine compartment too on the elegant luxurious M/C.
Chevrolet liked this idea,and continued with it on other cars.
Before this,they offered a Steel skirt coated with an added optional sound deadner,which went by part #3975419-20,that was supposed to do the same thing,but wasn't well received.
Arlington Tx. was a New A-body plant beginning in January 1970,so for some reason they were shipped more of these fiber fender skirts then anyother plant for 1970 production it seems to me.
I think that plants used up what they had already,so some vehicles received a fiber on one side,and a metal on the other,if supply deemed it.
Other plants got them later on,but it seems R cars got the lions share for 1970 vehicles built.
By the 1971-72 & up years,these fiber skirts became standard material on all cars at all plants.

ORIGLS6 · #12 12-08-2006, 10:03 PM

Maybe I'll run with no inner fenders at all! Yank the front bumper off, jack up the front-end, slap a TunnelRam on it, a tach on the dash and go for the Gasser look!

3macs1 · #13 12-08-2006, 10:11 PM

Rick:
Did you notice any change in the thickness and flexibility in these fiber shirts.I have a early set original to the car which are definately thicker and more prone to cracking than a later set I have. Both were original 1970 supply.

**mockingbird812** · #14 12-08-2006, 10:20 PM

oops.

**Rixls6** · #15 12-09-2006, 01:28 AM

[ QUOTE ]

Maybe I'll run with no inner fenders at all! Yank the front bumper off, jack up the front-end, slap a TunnelRam on it, a tach on the dash and go for the Gasser look!

[/ QUOTE ]

Don't forget the bolt on ladder bars

mrrec · #16 12-09-2006, 06:05 PM

Rick, I assume you use the term "fiber" because that is in some Chev literature you have (I'm sure Chev thought fiber sounded better than plastic). The plastic inner fenders are ABS injection molded plastic (at least the ones marked "made in Canada" on my Baltimore LS6). They do have a fiberous quality to them that is evident upon cutting. This was likely a very short strand material that was mixed with the ABS.

My LH had the requisite trouble light hole (you know, lay the trouble light on the inner fender - oops, they're plastic and I've melted a hole in 'em!). I spent many hours cutting a patch out of another part and plastic welding it in with ABS rod - looked pretty good for a year or so, now it's cracked. Darn.

Dave

ORIGLS6 · #17 12-11-2006, 08:47 PM

Thanks Dave. I wondered about trying to repair the splits in mine. Sounds like I'm better off leaving them as they are.

**Mr70** · #18 12-11-2006, 09:06 PM

Joe
I've never really compared the thickness of these.
I would like to now based on your input.

I agree Dave.
I've always thought of them as a fiber plastic composite,not so much as actual fiberglass.The few written materials I have on these state them as "poly".

3macs1 · #19 12-12-2006, 12:07 AM

Hi Rick:
ABS ones where what I would refer to as the thick.The thin ones were not as smooth a finish, less prone to spliting, way more flexible. Did not seem to have any fiber in them
Late 70 and definately some in 71.Don't know about 72
I think that old ls-5 I showed you has a thin one installed or it is the one laying on it. Next time I am up Moms I will check for you also.

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