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Originally Posted by Tim81ta
I am looking to convert the nose on my 81 TA to a 70-73. If you have done this, could you post a reply and explain some of the difficulities. Thanks
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Funny, I'm actually doing the same thing, no real difficulties.The fenders are the same (pretty much). Take off your old nose, including that fat metal bumper under your front also. Now you will need those curved frame mounts on each side to connect to the frame and your new nose. The 70 - 73 nose is also mounted on the top to the radiator support, not sure how they call this piece you need, it looks like a subframe mount with a stud coming out on each side, you will have to get two of those, most of the time on the old 70-73 cars those are rotted out and you need replacements, those are being offered in reproduction by year one and others, ames, etc. The cable that opens your hood now, can no longer be used, the hood on the old front is being opened by a lever, metal rod, that protrudes through the driver side grille, you need to get those parts also, in case you don't have them yet. You might have to modify the turn signal/park light connectors, depending what year of lights you install into the lower valance. I'm using 70-71's and needed a different connector at the lamp. The headlight connectors need no modifications. You will have the wires for the high beam still hanging from the car, but you don't need them.The lower valance attaches to the radiator support and the fenders (screw/bolt behind lower turnsignals).You will also need a different hood, as the old one will not fit, the older cars had "curved" hoods. You can use hoods from 70-76. The hood of my choice was a 71 formula hood, as my car is a Formula, ...i just like the older style better. You did not mention if and what parts you already have, one word of caution, there a different grilles out there also, 70-71 is one style, 72 is the other and then you have the 73 style. I have a front for 70-72 cars, and it will not accept 73 grilles! I checked this already, 73 is different, be careful not to buy the wrong stuff... From 70-72 everything interchanges, grilles and fronts. 72 grilles have only been build for one year and are pretty rare.
You also have to remove the old horn support, (those mount onto the 70-73 nose), and that other thin member. the lower valance panel was available in metal and plastic, the plastic being more rare and prone to breakage, you can find the plastic ones reproduced but as far as I know, nobody reproduces the metal ones and even used ones bring some big money, if you have one, take good care of it, make sure you use some good rust prevention from the back, as the water will collect between the valance and radiator support, I Personally use some plastic spacers between the valance panel and radiator support, so the panel will not be scratched in tose areas and allow the water to escape better... hope i helped you a bit, let me know if you have more questions...
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02-19-2005, 06:29 PM
