Front fender trim problems

[47heaven]

I was putting on my stainless trim today and when I put the left fender one on I noticed that something didn't look right. For some reason the trim seem to go into the headlight ring piece in a downward angle instead of going in level like before. To tell you the truth, I don't even know what side each trim piece goes on because I don't think they were put on right before I got the car. I do notice that at the pointed end of the trim that one side tends to curve sharper than the other. My question: Which side of the trim is the top and which is the bottom? According to my pic, do I have it on the right fender or not? My thought is that it's on the wrong side, but not sure. I mounted it through the holes, so I can't see why it's not lining up with the opening at the headlight.

Anyway, once I can get this figured out then I will know what side trim I need to get because I missing the other side and also looking for one. So if anyone has one to sell, let me know.

[Dennis Hemingway]

I don't kmow if it is right but here is what mine lookes like.

Dennis:cool:

[Norm's Coupe]

Darin,

From you picture and the one Dennis posted it looks like you have the right piece. However, if you look close at the front of the fender the trim is raised higher than the rear of the trim. Looks like you may not have the stainless pushed down on the clips far enough toward the front of the fender.

[47heaven]

Darin' date='

From you picture and the one Dennis posted it looks like you have the right piece. However, if you look close at the front of the fender the trim is raised higher than the rear of the trim. Looks like you may not have the stainless pushed down on the clips far enough toward the front of the fender.[/quote']

Thanks Dennis for the pic. So I do have it the right piece on the correct fender. Norm, I'll troubleshoot some more. I'm using some funky tension clips so I'll see if they are setting right or not. Stay tuned.

[BobT-47P15]

As they might say in Italian.....you probably gotta the wrong-a trim clip.

For at least the front portion of the strip, you need the offset clips with a threaded stud like this......that stud is clear up by top edge of the stainless. You must be trying to use something with the stud about in the middle of the strip.

I can't recall for sure.....they may all be this type. Will try to look at that old piece of trim shown in the picture when I get home.

Pic of a new clip similar to that:

[1947PLEVY]

Darin:

I saw on the bay a set of left and right fender trim...starting at $125.00 Kinda steep IMHO...

Take Care and God Bless Us All... John 47 Plevy

[BobT-47P15]

Here are a couple pics of the clips still attached to a piece of fender stainless.

They are all the offset style.....the stud near top edge of the piece.

They are what it takes to make it align properly.

[47heaven]

Here are a couple pics of the clips still attached to a piece of fender stainless.

They are all the offset style.....the stud near top edge of the piece.

They are what it takes to make it align properly.

You know, Bob...after tinkering around with it a bit more I realized that the mounts had to be offset, but wasn't sure, since all the original ones are no longer in there. I took some pics of how it looked when I straightened the trim out so that it went in correctly into the headlight ring, and that brought it lower on the sides, not allowing the mounts to go in straight. (see pics). This is what was confusing me because I didn't know about the offset ones. Now that I saw your pics, everything makes sense now. The only thing is that I'm sure these are almost extremely rare to find. Also, I noticed that these original mounts looks as if they are installed when the stainless piece was made because they don't come out without bending the side lips of the stainless or cutting them out. The only mounts I have to work with are the fly ones (which only seem to center in the middle) or these others that can be trimmed to fit. These look to be my best bet unless you or someone else has a better idea know. The only thing with these is that you have to use a hacksaw to trim them. Not a quick job, to say the least, but again may be the only option.

The one mount you have there by itsself looks like it would have the stud in the center, too, so that might not work. On you original piece, are the studs flush against the side of the trim or is there some space ?

[BobT-47P15]

The stud is 'almost' against the edge of the trim....just a tiny bit of space from it.

The clips will slide into the channel from either end of the piece. The little wings on each side are designed to create some tension to keep the clip in place.

Sometimes I have had to gently tap the clips along with a small hammer or a screwdriver or whatever in the channel.....they don't move so well if the channel is crimped a bit and/or the clip is rusty like the one shown. Of course, its a little crooked at the moment.

Knowing now how the clips are made, you might contact any suppliers you can find and ask for that specific type. (Not sure where I would get them if needed.)

When I removed my right fender trim not long ago, I discovered I had used some washers that fit into the channels, then ran a small bolt thru them with a washer to keep head from pulling thru.....in place of the correct clips. Didn't think to take any pictures. Maybe my lovely diagram will give you some food for thought. After all, this stuff does not show.

[Frank M.]

I went thru this when restoring my convert years ago. The original trim was long on the top curve and short on the bottom. Problems start when using after market trim ( such as Regals ) which were made to fit either side. no diff on the curve -top or bottom. This eliminated right and left side manufacture. The original clips ,of course, were made for the factory long and short mouldings, and thats where a lot of trouble starts. If you have the Regal moulding, try to find a clip thats not offset,and that helps a lot. Just tryin to help.

[47heaven]

I went thru this when restoring my convert years ago. The original trim was long on the top curve and short on the bottom. Problems start when using after market trim ( such as Regals ) which were made to fit either side. no diff on the curve -top or bottom. This eliminated right and left side manufacture. The original clips ,of course, were made for the factory long and short mouldings, and thats where a lot of trouble starts. If you have the Regal moulding, try to find a clip thats not offset,and that helps a lot. Just tryin to help.

Frank....I think mine are original because the curves on the sides are not the same...one longer than the other. I never heard of the Regal mouldings. 'This the problem when you buy a car from someone who is not the original owner...you don't know what they have done to it already.

[47heaven]

Bob,

I bet someone has boxes of these clips somewhere...and all NOS. Yeah, I can see how they slide in and out on this moulding, but there are some, like the one for the cowl that are in there and don't come out unless cut out.

I like your idea of the washer. I think I can give that a shot this weekend and I'll go over to Lowe's or Home Depot and see what they have. I might have better luck at a smaller hrdware store like Ace. What kind of do I use? One with a flate head or rounded? You didn't mention that. Also, how do I keep the bolt to stay in the slot and not fall out?

[bob westphal]

Hey darin,

I bought a left fender trim moulding and put it on the right fender. I can't tell any difference other than the fact that the now top of the right side trim that's for the left side trim isn't as shiny as the now bottom. Is that confusing enough or should I clarity that? It seams to fit the curvature of the fender and goes into the headlight bezel just fine. I think its like they're saying. the problem is the clips.

[47heaven]

Hey darin,

I bought a left fender trim moulding and put it on the right fender. I can't tell any difference other than the fact that the now top of the right side trim that's for the left side trim isn't as shiny as the now bottom. Is that confusing enough or should I clarity that? It seams to fit the curvature of the fender and goes into the headlight bezel just fine. I think its like they're saying. the problem is the clips.

Yeah, I was thinking of putting another left one on there, too. I don't know why the right one costs more, but it does. The problem also is that the right fender has been bondoed to a point that the curvature isn't right, thus causing the trim piece to kink when you try to tighten it.

[John Mulders]

Working at the clips myself.

Got some information from Tim (I believe, I apologize if it was from another member).

Contacted Restauration Specialties with some partno's and was looking at their catalog and found partno B1258 which is the "front fender side molding clip for plymouth 49".

This one has the bolt in the center.

Asked whether they have the off-center version but got no answer on that.

Have selected a number of clips and got a 35$ shipping (US Postal service) to the Caribbean...probably in a gold box?

John

[John Mulders]

Update

I got a message from Restauration Specialties that he got some of these off center clips.

No partno though and I asked him how anyone could idfentify them with an order.

Will let you know the info asap.

John

[47heaven]

I bought some of these "trim-to-fit" moulding clips that work great. Of course, the place from the clip below charges a lot for them, but there is a place in Upland, California called Allen's Fasteners that has them pretty cheap. If anyone is interested, I'll post hie business phone # or you guys can do a yellow pages search, as well.

http://northlandfasteners.biz/Store/product_info.php?cPath=25_100&products_id=2049