231 replies to this topic

[christolx]

Yea well these Ernicks Wilson's flares are supposed to be a good fit, via many peoples recommendations...so not sure what happened here. I'll see how the front fit up 

[mugginz]

I bought some of those Ernicks Wilson's flares but decided not to fit them in the end. They're just sitting there on (maybe permanent) pause at the moment. Maybe I dodged a frustrating job there.

[Bigfella237]

You would be hard pressed find a 'perfect' fitting set of Torana fibreglass these days, as someone said earlier, the problem is that we're getting too high in the number of generations of molds. It's like the old VHS tapes, every time you copy a copy it ends up a little worse than the source, by the time you get ten copies deep you may as well not bother!

 

(I can just imagine all the youngsters here now saying "What's a VHS tape?" )

 

Unfortunately any modifications/adjustments should have been done BEFORE it got anywhere near the spray booth but it is what it is now. I only hope you can get away with just re-spraying the flares and not have to change where the holes in the body are!

 

At least it's not a metallic or a pearl!

[mugginz]

Is there any consensus on who does the best bobtail spoilers?

[CI 0308]

Here are a few side photos for reference. Not too sure what has happened there either fitted not high enough or not streched out enough at the bottom??

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Edited by CI 0308, 26 October 2020 - 09:23 PM.

[Rockoz]

You cant "stretch" them out.

You need to slice them in several places, then spread them, then reglass them, bog and finish.

You might need to stretch the bolt holes in the lower holes to make them look right.

 

Each mould taken off a flare closes up the distance between the bottom parts a little bit.

So when a mould is again taken of a flare from another non original mould, it closes up yet again.

 

Apparently Grem Warrington from Queensland has a very early generation of moulds, and they will fit the best.

However he hasnt got the greatest reputation in the Torana community, and there have been complaints.

He has very short fuse.

But he has Multiple Sclerosis, which slows him down a lot.

He is doing his best to not become an invalid, but could be taking on more work than he can handle.

 

Anyone who knows someone with Multiple Sclerosis will understand the daily difficulties.

My mum had it. Her mum had it. My brother has it.

I know a bit about it.

 

If you werent in a hurry, I would say that Grem would have the best flares.

Those who think his dont fit, generally arent putting them on properly, or their car isnt quite as straight as they think.

 

I havent met him, or seen the fitment of his flares in person.

But I have talked to him a fair bit, mainly about MS, but the flares did come up.

He showed me photos of his and how they fit. 

Looked good to me.

 

Some here will have their opinions about him.

Maybe not good.

Im just giving my 2 bobs worth.

Dont shoot the messenger.

 

 

Cheers

 

Rob

[dattoman]

Grem is playing boats now and said he won't make Torana flares again... but he likely will... if persuaded

 

Wilsons were the go to name for flares... everyone seems happy with them

But still comes down to how you fit them... not just how good a flare they are

[Rockoz]

Yeah there were a few heated arguments with Grem and a couple of dis satisfied customers.

He said he pretty much hates the Torana fraternity now, but was still producing stuff for other makes because the customers were a lot nicer.

 

 

Cheers

 

Rob

[christolx]

Yea, well it could be a fitment issue. Ernicks Wilson seemed to be the right people to go to at the time.The Passengers side fits better than the driver's side pictured. I didn't do the original fitment, left that to the panel beater. Seems like that was a bad call in hindsight. 

[SSAid]

Fitted Enricks to my front only few weeks ago, spent a lot of time making sure i was happy with the line up. over all i am very happy with them.. Rear i already had Alpha's and they were spot on.

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[christolx]

yeh ok, nice. well I'm hoping my front fits up nicely like yours 

[Marks LXTorana]

Fitted Enricks to my front only few weeks ago, spent a lot of time making sure i was happy with the line up. over all i am very happy with them.. Rear i already had Alpha's and they were spot on.

I thought I had lined up my front flare after having the front guard off for some sill rust repairs. I didn't realise the lack of clearance until I went for my first drive and turned hard right up a driveway.... Fortunately the repair was easy and I found there was a heap of movement for the flare with all the bolts loose (and a little bit of stretching!). It wasn't until this happened that I found how different the measurements were out between the front left and right flares! (Note, wheels are 15" with 225/50 tyres).

Just a suggestion to ensure you check full wheel clearance including under load (jack the diagonally opposite wheel up), before going for a drive!

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Edited by Marks LXTorana, 31 October 2020 - 09:46 AM.

[Rockoz]

Mark.

 

Those flares look like they were fitted way too far back in an attempt to compensate for the bottoms coming in.

The edge at the rear of the flare should line up reasonably well with the bottom of the rear of the guard.

If the flares seem to have less than 180 degrees of opening, then they need lots of work.

 

 

Cheers

 

Rob

[christolx]

Geez Mark, that crunch must have been awful...point noted 

[SSAid]

I thought I had lined up my front flare after having the front guard off for some sill rust repairs. I didn't realise the lack of clearance until I went for my first drive and turned hard right up a driveway.... Fortunately the repair was easy and I found there was a heap of movement for the flare with all the bolts loose (and a little bit of stretching!). It wasn't until this happened that I found how different the measurements were out between the front left and right flares! (Note, wheels are 15" with 225/50 tyres).
Just a suggestion to ensure you check full wheel clearance including under load (jack the diagonally opposite wheel up), before going for a drive!

Good tip Mark... looks painful.

Sent from my SM-G965F using Tapatalk

[Marks LXTorana]

Mark.

 

Those flares look like they were fitted way too far back in an attempt to compensate for the bottoms coming in.

The edge at the rear of the flare should line up reasonably well with the bottom of the rear of the guard.

If the flares seem to have less than 180 degrees of opening, then they need lots of work.

 

 

Yes Rob everything about my car is a discovery and as i work though the process of rebuilding/repairing it, i come across things both good and bad. Before removing the guard there were no clearance issues but i get what you mean about lining up with the rear of the guard. After some contemplating and adjustment I go to the point where left and right flares now have equal length and there is good clearance from the wheels.

 

My main point was a reminder to do a clearance check before taking your newly painted car for a drive. Not just lock to lock, but load up the suspension too.

 

I recently noticed when jacking the front left corner of the car up, the rear left tyre is literally "locked" against the guard!! Even though someone went to the trouble of cutting out the guard and welding it up, I don't think they allowed for full suspension travel. It only scrapes occasionally when driving although again it was a good test of the work that was done. And whilst my 265/50-15 tyres are not standard, they are definitely not the largest I have seen!

 

Cheers,

Mark.

Edited by Marks LXTorana, 01 November 2020 - 10:14 AM.

[christolx]

Actually...I've mistakenly identified those flares as being from Ernicks Wilsons. I'm not sure how it skipped my mind, but they actually came with the car...unknown to who manufactured them. The rest of the kit, (front spoiler, bonnet scoop, rear spoiler) is from Ernicks/Wilson. Apologies for any defamation that may have followed...

 

Front flares fit up much better though...

 

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She's coming together nicely. A few bits I have to wrap my head around. It's quite tricky not having another car to reference from 

 

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[Rockoz]

With everything really fantastic you have done to the car, I wonder why you havent spent a bit more time getting the flare to spoiler join looking better?

Just my opinion, but it doesnt look quite right, and detracts from the attention to detail everywhere else.

You have done an absolutely fantastic job on this build. One of my favourites.

 

 

Cheers

 

Rob

[christolx]

Rob, I see what you mean, the cm or so at the start of the front flare would usually be overlapped by the front spoiler section more than it is.  There isn't a whole lot I can do, as the front spoiler is fitting flush and i can't gain any more length. I think it's fitting that way due to the flares and front spoiler not being made to fit together from the same moulds. In hindsight i should have got new flares from Ernicks Wilsons to match the other fibreglass parts I bought from them, but i'll take on that feedback mate. 

[CI 0308]

Be mindful that when you fit the bumper most of it will be hidden anyhow.

Sent from my SM-A705YN using Tapatalk

[Rockoz]

Please dont think of it as criticism of any kind Chris.

One of the first things I look at it flare and spoiler fitment.

Compared to the quality of the rest of the build, it stands out.

 

Cheers

 

Rob

[christolx]

not at all, constructive feedback is helpful. I am a bit disappointed with it too, as i'm going to have to get some work done on the rear flares as well. Guess it's all a learning curve!

[Bigfella237]

I'll leave these here for consideration...

 

 

 

...or altogether bolt-less...

 

[Rockoz]

The spoiler on the yellow one seems to be pulled back too far at the bottom.

 

Cheers

 

Rob