The Stovebolt Site Forums The Parking Lot Panels 'N Burbs Rear Valence To Bumper Seal {1953}

* Question for you Suburban guy's ** Am about ready to install the rear valence to bumper seal & would like to know if the seal requires any kind of adhesive . My valence is the orig. to the Suburban and is in as new condition without as much as a little nick in it. When removed for paint I don't recall if the old seal appeared to ever had any sealant on it. Was removed about 18 months ago. Your thoughts /answers will be greatly appreciated.

My metal track was pinched in areas to hold the rubber.
I used some grease on my new rubber to get it to slip in easily.
Then i pinched the track in the previous areas to hold it in place.
I wouldn't glue it the whole length of the track, just in case down the road you have to replace it.
I put tape on the ends of this vice grip and this is how I pinched my track to hold the rubber in. It doesn't take much effort to pinch it.
vise grip

Most of us never had an original valance (or, no usable valance).
The only reproduction is fiberglas, and the seal has to be glued to it.

I bought an original rear valance for my panel. The seal was stapled in the track, much as Chevy stapled inner fender seals through the metal. I'm assuming it was all original judging from its old, rotten condition.

** My orig. valance has no sign of pinch marks or staples. I think a few pinch spots might be the way to go. ** Since my first post on the subject I went ahead and installed it just to see what the results might be. It pressed down into the groove for the seal really well. Not sure how much pressure the bumper would put on the seal.

Mine is original steel and had no staples , it was just pinched in areas to hold the rubber.

Tim

The one on my 54 was slightly pinched in a couple areas. After spreading with a flat screwdriver, it came right out.

Yep !!!

I found a good used valance, didn't know there was a seal had to go in there. I have a rubber seal on the doors, is this seal only for Suburbans?

I am fairly certain that valance/seal is/was used on all panel body 1947-1955st Chevrolets & GMCs (all Panel, Suburban, & Canopy Express trucks).

there should be a track on the valance panel that accepts the rubber seal.
I've seen the same panel on suburbans and panel trucks.
valance seal

Tim

Leo, mine had the rubber seal on my original but the valance was so smashed up it wasn't worth it. I bought a fiberglass and do not use the rubber seal at all. No problems in todays world so I just keep mooooving on.

** After installing the orig. valance {after paint} & valence seal from Jim Carter & after market stainless steel bumper the gap between the valance and bumper is so small I really don't see much of a need for the seal. I might remove the stainless steel bumper and install the orig. & in perfect condition painted bumper just to see if the fit differs from the after market bumper. The highly polished stainless bumper fit and appearance is very suitable to the eye I must admit. The end result will be the stainless steel bumper. **