Aftermarket part fitment

33898 Views 39 Replies 24 Participants Last post by Ls68nova, May 19, 2017

ovrdrive

Discussion Starter · Aug 2, 2012 (Edited)

Aftermarket parts, what fits and what doesn't

***********NOTE******************

There will be NO VENDOR BASHING at all. The MODs will be watching...

As mentioned in another thread, I will start this off by saying that the following aftermarket parts that I ordered worked just fine ( as told by the body shop owner who did the work on my car ):

Exterior sheet metal
Full quarters
Outer wheel well houses
Door shells
Upper and lower door hinges
Tail light panel
Trunk support brackets (they weld into the backside of the quarter panel and give support to the tail light panel )
Drivers side frame rail
2 1/4" cowl induction hood

Other exterior sheet metal replacements

Hood hinges and springs

Front inner fenders
(Note: You need to measure your old passenger side inner fender if you plan on using A/C. The aftermarket passenger side fenders don't have the holes or dimples for the exact spot on the fender for the dryer. You need to mark and drill you own holes for an exact fit)

Radiator support
I've seen alot of posts in reference to this particular part. I purchased mine from C2O and it doesn't have the headlight spring hole. Well, almost all of the aftermarket ones don't and it's up to the purchaser to make his own.
The upper mount holes allign just fine and all the bolt holes for the other attaching brackets work. But, the thickness is in question. You see, I purchased the Vintage Air system for my 71 and the steel lines within the kit, ( the one steel line that runs from the dryer underneath the radiator support to the condenser) wouldn't work with this aftermarket radiator support.

I will post pictures when the car arrives from the body shop..

Please post your findings here so we can all benefit from what you have learned..

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carcass

· #2 · Aug 2, 2012

I agree that it's unfair to have vendor bashing. But its also unfair for the consumer to be blind as to the quality of a part or where it was made!!
That being said will posting photo comparisons, sharing the country of origin (or lack thereof of origin marking) and then sharing the place of purchase constitute bashing? I fear that if we are not allowed to share our experience one way or the other regarding restoration parts or any other part be it OEM or performance would remove the basic principle of this forum. Which correct me if I'm wrong is "Nova folks helping other Nova folks"

If I go so far as to measure resto bumper thickness compared to original or do a homegrown chrome durability test would it be allowed?

I'm all for supporting this websites monetary contributors, but please allow us to rate their parts one way or the other. Learning about someone else's unfortunate experience with aftermarket parts is as valuable as hearing about a particularly good piece.

Sent from my Autoguide iPhone app

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Reactions: 1

jason 68 L78

· #3 · Aug 2, 2012

Reproduction quarters and outer wheel wells fit very nice.

Reproduction fenders I used fit well but was pointed out to me that the front marker light was to high so if you wanted to run body side moldings they would run into the marker light.

This was on the 68-69 fenders. You won't notice it until someone points it out to you.

Reproduction wiring harnesses fit very well but some of the plugs are differnet colors. Don't match originals...

Reproduction bucket seat plastic skirting and backs are a very poor reproduction piece look nothing like the originals and fit poorly.

Reproduction grill fitment is poor.

68-69 reproduction marker lights are not like originals have studs out the back

all SS and non SS rear panels are plastic not cast like originals

This is just a few that come to mind

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Jackel

· #4 · Aug 2, 2012

ovrdrive said:
As mentioned in another thread, I will start this off by saying that the aftermarket quarters, doors, tail light panel, and rear frame rails fit with a little persuasion. But, enough about my car, this thread is about the fitment of emblems, grilles and other things shiny.

***********NOTE******************
There will be NO VENDOR BASHING at all. The MODs will be watching...
Please post your findings here so we can all benefit from what you have learned..

Since we can't BASH then post what works. Not sort of works but what really is great.

I will add:

TRIM PARTS...70 SS Rear Panel with Emblem. So very good...
CLASSIC INDUSTRIES..."NOVA" Fender and Trunk Emblem. Very good...
Jack

RPM Nova

· #5 · Aug 3, 2012

jason 68 L78 said:
all SS and non SS rear panels are plastic not cast like originals

For my '71, I ordered a non-SS rear panel (Nova Custom) from Classic Industries about 4 years ago. It was definitely a cast piece with zero plastic content. Fitment and finish was excellent.

Front blinker and tail light lenses from Trim Parts were also high quality and excellent matches to my original '71 stuff.

72BBNova

· #6 · Aug 3, 2012

RPM Nova said:
For my '71, I ordered a non-SS rear panel (Nova Custom) from Classic Industries about 4 years ago. It was definitely a cast piece with zero plastic content. Fitment and finish was excellent.

Front blinker and tail light lenses from Trim Parts were also high quality and excellent matches to my original '71 stuff.

Good to know on the Nova custom rear panel. I thought about cloning mine to an SS but changed my mind, going to do the custom rear panel and blacken out the grill.

The OER fender emblems I have are excellent quality. IMO they look better than NOS ones I"ve seen. Everything from OER I've ever seen weather it's an emblem or moldings looks great.

RPM Nova

· #7 · Aug 3, 2012

72BBNova said:
Good to know on the Nova custom rear panel. I thought about cloning mine to an SS but changed my mind, going to do the custom rear panel and blacken out the grill.

This is exactly the route that I went as well.... black SS grille but without the SS badge, and custom rear panel.

I also just dug up the box for the custom rear panel, and found that it was actually produced by Trim Parts. So I guess any vendor that sells this brand would be fine, but I just happened to use Classic Industries. The production date stamped on the box was 07-25-08, so assuming that nothing has changed with the product since then, I think you will be very happy with the quality.

taz3

· #8 · Aug 3, 2012

Keep all your post about what you know fits well and we'll keep it here as a sticky. No one wants parts that don't fit and we don't want any vendor bash, so post only what WORKS!!:yes:

Thanks guys!

cdahl383

· #9 · Aug 3, 2012

I bought aftermarket full quarters for my car from CARS, Inc. and they fit great. I didn't install them, the body shop did, but they told me they fit just fine with very little issues. I've had them on the car for 7 years now, no rust or bubbling or cracking or any goofy stuff like that. They weren't cheap, but well worth the money as they look great!

Fenders and doors I got originals off of a 1969 Nova in Arizona from Desert Valley Auto. They have tons of old cars with original parts on them that are still good, including rust free body panels.

Also got my new rear bumper and dash cowl piece from CARS, Inc and they have held up great, look like new, no fitment issues, etc.

sevenzeronova

· #10 · Aug 3, 2012

Got a full trunk pan with braces and all from ground up, nice tight fit! Not flimsy at all. Putting it in not so fun

ovrdrive

Discussion Starter · #11 · Aug 5, 2012

Dash pad dilema

Aftermarket dashes or re-cover original..

My factory dash has finally craped out. I was cleaning it today and noticed that the original vinyl has dry rotted and it's severely craked. Now, my options are to re-cover it, put an aftermarket cap on it, or replace it completely with brand new dash pad.

Has anybody tried the dash board pad caps?

Any luck with getting it re-covered?

How is the fitment of the aftermarket dash pads?

sbc1320

· #12 · Aug 6, 2012

ovrdrive said:
Aftermarket dashes or re-cover original..

My factory dash has finally craped out. I was cleaning it today and noticed that the original vinyl has dry rotted and it's severely craked. Now, my options are to re-cover it, put an aftermarket cap on it, or replace it completely with brand new dash pad.

Has anybody tried the dash board pad caps?

Any luck with getting it re-covered?

How is the fitment of the aftermarket dash pads?

I put one on of the plastic caps on my car today. Was going to paint it, but decided to leave it black and accent with my green interior. Fitment was pretty good actually with minimal trimming on old dash left corner and light trimming on ends of the new one. It's still drying in the garage right now with some bricks for weights holding it down.

jason 68 L78

· #13 · Aug 6, 2012

There is a place in California that recovers your original dash pad. About 400-500. But I have never heard of how the aftermarket dash pads fit on a third gen. I know I bought one for my 67 chevelle I restored and I sent it back. It looked nothing like the original and was as flimsy as a wet noodle. It just put a bad taste in my mouth for aftermarket dash pads. Someone had to buy an aftermarket dash pad for a 3rd gen?

As for the rear trim panel I was talking about. The plastic one is about 100.00 the aluminum one is close to 200.00 The 200.00 one is the best one but is made out of aluminum not pot metal and looks close to the original but if you know what you are looking for you can spot an aftermarket one very quick on a car. It all depends on what you are looking for when adding it to your car or during your restoration...

jason 68 L78

· #14 · Aug 6, 2012

Aftermarket trunk drop offs fit nicely along with the inner wheel wells.

I had aftermarket bumpers on another nova I had and the fit and finish was good they where from goodmark.

On my old 68 car I had PUI interior. The pre-assembled door panels fit nicely but the rear panels fit poorly. They use a plastic composite top that just didn't fit like the originals, which was a steel top. On my 68 L79 I am going to re-use my metal tops for both the front and rear panels.

I have used the aftermarket rear tail lights on previous 68's and a 70 and they fit nice and look very close to the originals.

taz3

· #15 · Aug 8, 2012

OK folks, please respect this for what it is, we only want to know what you like or know works, otherwise posts will be removed.

NPHNP!!:yes:

ovrdrive

Discussion Starter · #16 · Aug 28, 2012

2

Hood trim fitment....

As I was installing the hood trim on my cowl induction hood, I noticed a gap between the hood and the trim.

Does anybody else have this issue?

I do have the hood emblem in place but was wondering if I need to tighten the nuts down more to take up this gap...

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ovrdrive

Discussion Starter · #17 · Sep 3, 2012

Apparently, NO one is paying attention to the information I provide for the masses. But, I will keep posting information and hopefully someone will benefit from my findings...

UPDATE:

The door and trunk lock key holes that are stamped from the MFG, need to be lengthen out. The locks are mfg. wider than that of the stamped holes. You will need to take a file and widen the 4 slots out in order to fit the lock mechanizm into the body panel.

I just found this out today (of course after the car was painted

)

Dan

Nova 404

· #18 · Sep 3, 2012

ovrdrive said:
Aftermarket dashes or re-cover original..

My factory dash has finally craped out. I was cleaning it today and noticed that the original vinyl has dry rotted and it's severely craked. Now, my options are to re-cover it, put an aftermarket cap on it, or replace it completely with brand new dash pad.

Has anybody tried the dash board pad caps?

Any luck with getting it re-covered?

How is the fitment of the aftermarket dash pads?

I had my dash redone by Just Dashes and it looks perfect and has held up for many years

http://www.justdashes.com/index.html

11323

· #19 · Oct 4, 2012

Dash Pad

I sell reproduction parts and no the pros and cons of this stuff.

Most of the OER items have been great except for there urethane dash pad as they are horrible and I have sent 2 back. The tab on the drivers side that screws to the dash tears out as there is not enough material to hold it. There are missing slots on the top for the dash pad clip. The urtherane does not stick to the metal insert.

On the positive side I just located the actual manufacture of the vinyl wrapped dash pad and it looks great. I will no more this weekend as I will try the installation and fitment.

Message me if you need anything or information.

Michael

Spencer 65 Nova

· #20 · Oct 4, 2012

I have ordered almost everything from Tamraz's parts and they fit great. The metal thickness on the complete floor with rockers was great, firewall was great, lower cowel was great, but when I recieved the complete rear quarters with door jambs I was a little disappointed with the metal thickness. However, they were still of good quality. Shipping time on the quarters was a month but other than that I was happy. I would order from them again and I am not bashing.

Here is my build with their parts if you would like to see the fitment of their parts. I usually buy from ebay because they offer free shipping.

http://www.stevesnovasite.com/forums/showthread.php?t=198515

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