Installed the proper X-panels between the radiator support and front bumper assembly last night, thanks to Doug selling me an old set of his.

At one time there was a sticker on the drivers-side panel, though no longer legible. Sand-blasted the panels and repainted prior to install. Anyone know which original sticker went on this and if Classic or NPD carries it?

Mine has no sticker on the panel. I believe the factory may have placed the stickers in different places. I think I recall someone arguing that one of the stickers (either the radiator caution of tune-up specs) was on that panel on their car.

All the Original cars I've seen have stickers on the Support Gussets that these panels mount to. Typically one Caution Hot Radiator sticker on the passenger side one and on California cars an A.I.R. sticker on the other one.

Many have felt the radiator sticker would fit well on these panels, but I've never seen an original one there... nor any sticker? Maybe it was a Hooker Headers, or Edelbrock sticker?

I have pix if you want of the original stickers I mentioned?

Brett!

Brett, it was a manufacturers sticker, lots of small black text, possibly one diagram or symbol. White background. Maybe 3x4 inch or so. I'm researching it now.

Yeah, I'd like to see where you placed your stickers if ya don't mind my friend.

I just looked through every sticker I can find for FGFs, and only one matches: The darn Spare Tire Lock Instructions sticker!! Could Freddy on the assembly-line have been buzzed and stuck that sticker under the hood on the X-panel? Seems a little out of place, eh?

Are you talking the "sight sheilds" Nash? Is x-panels the correct name? I have not been able to locate them anywhere. Does anyone make a repro?

Thanks,

Johnny Mac

The Pontiac Parts book calls the Radiator Cross Brace Fillers (LH and RH). I usually hear of them referred to as x-panels.

Here is one place that I read about someone putting the emissions sticker (I called it tune-up specs in my earlier post) on the filler, although mine was/is on the fan shroud. http://firstgenfirebird.org/firebird/FAQ/engine/decals.html
When I put on a new shroud I put a new sticker on it where the old one was.

ah ha.. no wonder they are called X-panels, is that an X stamped in it?

I have never seen those parts before, can't find them in any catalog.

Any ideas?

Johnny Mac

Johnny , they are called "core support fillers" by Ames, part no FP191J , sold by others too, Ames charges $99.00 for steel set , also sells fiberglass , but I doubt they hold well, you tend to lean on them...FiberGlass for $ 62.00 /pr (in my old parts book) part no FP191K

and yes ,called X fillers because of the stamping...
sometimes found on EBay...

you need in conjunction weth these also the "masticated" fillers, "seal kit" at the bottom ea side of radiator (closing off the openings at bottom..)check to see if there..FP454 std cars,or FP455K A/C cars 414.00 set...

What a relief... the lower fillers are only $14.

Here is a pic of the completed job using Dougs set he graciously sent me for 55 bucks. Original metal pair.



I marked the area where the old sticker was in RED. It was a white sticker, 3 inch by 4 inch, with a few paragraphs of writing in black. One, maybe two diagrams or symbols. Doug is on the road I think, but when he returns he may be able to answer this mystery.

Wow, that looks fantastic!

Hey Nash, what's that device right next to the orange box?

Thats a hood lock, original option. The cable release handle is just under and to the right of the steering column base inside the car. What, you ain't got one? :p

I gots' to get me one of those

I'll give my honest opinion of these upper x-panels, though I'm glad to have them, and that area of the car now looks more "complete":

1 - The intent of the four required pieces of the baffles was to completely surround the radiator opening (on all four sides, top, bottom, left,right)and force all air coming through the grill directly into the radiator. With just these two upper x-panels, the intent is not truly met.

2 - To be honest, the upper x-panels make only a marginal contribution to this plan. With a serviceable hood heat blanket, and the hood closed, there is less than a one-inch gap between the blanket and the radiator support. I tested this with a large sponge and chalk. The gap is less than one inch, so air coming through the grill really doesn't have much room to go "over" the radiator support and be supposedly wasted.

3 - The REAL benefit seems to be the two "side" panels, to the left and right (and in front)of the radiator, of which I do not have. Those two pieces, in my opinion, would certainly funnel alot of air {otherwise floating around the sides of the engine compartment) directly into the radiator.

I'll take a stab at making these with some simple sheet-metal and rubber edging. The hardware points are there on all of our birds, it seems.

Nash, I've never seen a box like that before. I also don't know what you mean by metal side pieces. The only thing I know of for the sides are the rubber pieces that Bjorn referred to earlier. They just clip on and seal up the gaps between the radiator support, bumper support and other stuff.

Jim, this may be simple bad use of english and understanding on my part. I've been led to believe that there are two panels that run down both sides of the radiator (left and right, between radiator and front grill) to funnel air into the radiator. The x-panels cover the top, and most of us have the bottom piece. Its the left/right panels I'm trying to build from scratch.

It certainly makes sense, and if you look at the radiator support there seem to be mount points down both left and right side. Are you saying there never were these two side-panels? You know more than me my friend, so I'll adhere to your experience.

I can't tell by your picture what you are trying to show. Looks like thats from the top looking down of a convertible.

That's looking in between the driver side valance panel opening below the bumper. My left ear was probably close to the license plate when I took the picture.

John, don't fab up the side fillers. They only cost about $17 from CI. We drank more beer than that! Once you receive them, it will be obvious where they go. Don't make me come back up there!

Greg, I'll order a case of hefe-weizen and the side panels. Let me know when you are coming up here and we'll finish this together.

I WILL advise.

They look good Nash they make the frt. look complete.

John, look , for $14 (plus ship.) you can get them from Ames...
</font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif"> you need in conjunction with these X fillersx also the "masticated" fillers, "seal kit" at the bottom ea side of radiator (closing off the openings at bottom..)check to see if there..FP454 std cars,or FP455K A/C cars $14.00 set... </font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">

Thanks Bjorn! Doug, do you know what the sticker was that started this whole thread? See above.

The sticker read:

"Nash, be sure to install the masticated side fillers before securing these X-panels because you're going to have to remove these again to install the side fillers. You're buddy Greg will be glad to help you but you have to give him a dash clock"

To be honest with you I really never looked at it that close.
After you and Greg put your masticated filler's on, let me know how you do it as I still have to install them on mine.

Doug ,when I added mine (masticated filler), only one was missing, it went down about 5F...
they attach in 3 ? (or 4?) holes with clips...your clips may be there...search...if not there you can use 'push in type' clips, I used two for a Chrysler headliner ,made from plastic....from the "help" line

Is this the sticker you're thinking of? Carries info on how to set idle speed etc. Should look something like this.

http://www.frojdh.com/bilder/main.php/view/bird/underhood/enginebay/emissions_sticker.jpg

Classic has them, part # DT68, 350/400 4-bbl, DT37 Ram Air (1968 models)

Snow Guy, that is most probably it! Same size, same lettering and black and white. I think you have indeed won the prize for this contest! Bummer though, cause I just ordered six stickers from NPD, and this was not one of them!!!

I have never seen that sticker on but one 68,It was a convert. that was mint,never restored.Just my .02 worth.

Huh?? That is the sticker I tried to show way up in the thread. :rolleyes: Many, including mine was placed by the factory on the fan shroud. I thought all '68s had them.

Wait a sec, folks. I'm the cause for confusion: The sticker on Dougs X-panel was black lettering info on white background, as previously stated. Not white on black. My apologies.

The one on Doug's x-panel, sure John blame it on me !

price tag from swap meet?
LOL

Doug, not blaming you, I was blaming ME!

Sure John whatever you say it's your story.

????

I feel bad, but don't know why.

FWIW, I had the exact same sticker in exactly the same place on my '68 400.