It's Monday. Amongst other things, today I:

• Spoke to Dorman's product development manager about releasing a slant-6 manifold attaching hardware package with all the right washers, brass nuts, and maybe even stainless studs. He seemed definitely interested in making it happen. Further bulletins as events warrant.

• Contacted my guy at Standard/Echlin and told him of the problems we're having actually getting hold of those MO-3000 long-tip rotors he was so helpful in getting run for us last year. I've asked that he please add this part to the Standard/BlueStreak distribution system so we can avoid the bumbling non-answers and wrong parts we keep getting when ordering through NAPA-Echlin. Waiting for return contact from him.

• Contacted my guy at the decal company for an update on my high-heatproof repros of these Valiant engine decals. Waiting for return contact from him. I have to think there'll be enough market for this decal to make a go of it, given that NOS examples (not heatproof, pain-in-the-neck water-slide transfer decal, tend to flake and peel off after a couple engine heat cycles) have been going for ridiculously high money on eBay lately.

Now I need to make a couple more phone calls and see about getting some samples of vehicle lighting devices that don't officially exist...

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一期一会
Too many people who were born on third base actually believe they've hit a triple.

Thanks for the foot work Dan, I think all of the above are going to be worth the money, and the wait.

keep us updated,

-D.Idiot

Thanks, Dan! These in particular:
... seems to be a no-brainer!

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vm

Got a line on someone in the rubber business? All of the rubber bumper kits I bought for the '64 A-Body are wrong.

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Chuck Rivers, Webmaster

My kingdom for a brand new, '66 Valiant 4-door, rear window gasket!

On a more realistic note: thanks much for your efforts, Dan.

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obliquely-inclined state of mind

Whose kits have you tried so far, which specific bumpers are you after, and what's been wrong with 'em?

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一期一会
Too many people who were born on third base actually believe they've hit a triple.

So many questions!

I have gotten the BBK12A from several vendors on E-Bay and one other store, I think Hardins, though I can't remember for sure. The kit is marked "Body Bumper Kit, 1964-66 A Body".

First of all the 63-65 hood bumpers are the same on a Dart, so I would think the 63 would be mentioned also. I have access to these cars, but I don't know about Valiants. Looks the same for the 64 Valiant and Barracuda (I have one of each), probably others. I know the 66 Valiant is different because a friend has one, and the hood bumpers don't match the Dart from 63-65.

There are four hood bumpers instead of two. I think they match the bumpers for the 69 Dart (and whatever is the same for that). I have access to a 69 Dart, so I can check that again, but don't recall at the moment.

Second, the two bumpers that attach to the front of the hood on a Barracuda are not there, so they should NOT advertise "A-Body" unless they cover them all. Same goes for 2-door & 4-door. There are only enough door bumpers for 2 doors, hence not enough for all A-Bodies.

There is a separate kit for the 63 Dart that I have seen, but I haven't ordered one yet. I can't get anyone to tell me what is in them or show me photos. The 63 should NOT be separate. As far as I can tell, all the bumpers are the same on 63-65 Darts and 63-64 Valiants.

There are probably other differences that I can't remember at the moment, such as the bumpers for the trunk lid. I seem to recall that the ones for the 64 Barracuda aren't there.

The dash bumpers appear OK.

It seems that there is only one manufacturer, since all the numbers for the kits are the same, and they are packaging these wrong. I haven't been able to find out who the manufacturer is yet. My attempts to get this corrected have so far fallen on deaf ears. (I called one company and talked to someone about it, but they never got back to me.)

I hope this helps.

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Chuck Rivers, Webmaster

Next question (only one this time): Have you got a Gary Goers catalogue?

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一期一会
Too many people who were born on third base actually believe they've hit a triple.

I have a very old one.

I bought some window track rubber from him years ago and it was solid rubber, not spongy like the original. It was not usable, so I haven't bought anything else from him.

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Chuck Rivers, Webmaster

Interesting. I've found most of his stuff, particularly the moulded-rubber bits and parts (bumpers, snubbers, etc.) to be well made, exact-fit type of stuff.

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一期一会
Too many people who were born on third base actually believe they've hit a triple.

I'll check it out. If I remember correctly, you have to snail-mail him, right?

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Chuck Rivers, Webmaster

You might be able to fax him. He doesn't answer the phone nor does he appear to answer email.

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David Kight
'62 Valiant Signet, White
'98 Dodge Dakota
'06 Jeep Liberty

Growing older is unavoidable but growing up is strictly optional.

See this thread for how best to get a current catalogue from Gary Goers. Yes, the ease and timeline of contacting him and ordering/receiving parts is a throwback to the pre-internet 1980s, but I have always found the eventual results completely worth the wait time, in terms of part quality/correctness and cost.

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一期一会
Too many people who were born on third base actually believe they've hit a triple.

have you tried these guys?

http://www.metrommp.com/

they do custom work, you just have to ask. I have heard a couple good things from other people about them, but I personally haven't used them for anything.

they live pretty close to my folks, so its like a 15 minute drive for me.