I recently picked up a nice set of these 1970 to 1972 torque box to fender braces from member joesw31. I already had the inner plastic fenderwells out to work on putting my headers back on so access was pretty easy! The two have different bends and the service book doesn't give good pics or instructions so I thought I'd post pictures from my install for members in the future. The photos and comments here are just my experience and opinions. YMMV and your application may also be different so take that into account. Hope these pics come in handy to someone in the future.

My set had a slightly arched one and one that was bent in a very curved arc. The one that is straighter was the passenger side and the more curved one was the driver's side. One end has a hole for a nut and bolt and the other end has a fixed stud/bolt. The end with the fixed stud/bolt is the end that bolts to the fender just in front of where the hood hinges bolt on the fenders. The hole on each fender is quite a bit bigger than the bolt hole so you can move it around when snugged up. I didn't tighten these up until I got the lower bolt by the torque boxes in and tightened up. I put the top in on each side and then got the bottom ones on each side tightened up and then went up top and tightened them down snug. My car had the holes in the torque boxes for the mounts already and did not look like the braces were ever present. If you don't have the holes, I suspect you could drill them with an angle drill and the inner fender out? YMMV!

Maybe since the 455's were dogged down in 1972 they only put them on 4 speed or W-30 cars?? Mine is a 455 coupe and an automatic so I'm not sure why they weren't there but having them on can't be bad? My brother was the second owner (since early 80's) and I'm the third owner. At any rate here are the pictures after I installed them.

Passenger's side at the torque box


Passenger's side from the torque box to the fender


Passenger's side from top looking down


Passenger's side looking down to torque box


Driver's side at the torque box


Driver's side from the torque box to the fender


Driver's side looking down fender to torque box


Driver's side looking down to torque box

 

Glad you got them and they look great in there.

 

IIRC, they were used on '70-'72 455 non convertible A bodies. They were to help prevent "torque twist" during hard acceleration from a stop. Convertibles had a beefier chassis, so the braces weren't necessary.

Interesting point about the different bends between the driver and passenger side though. When I put them on my '72 U code Supreme, I had a hell of a time with driver side. I finally had to 'tweak" it on my workbench by giving it an ever so slight push on the upper bend, and it finally bolted up. Passenger side was done in about 15 minutes...super easy.

How did you figure out the two were different? Did you match them up against each other, or did someone tell you?

 

When I opened the box from Joe I could see the different arcs of the braces so I looked at pictures of engine compartments on this forum and saw one that showed the really curved one on the drivers side! Then I looked and saw that the end without the fixed bolt/stud was on the bottom at the torque box. I did have to hit a sheet metal ”ear” on the drivers side firewall with a hammer about 4 times so it would clear the brace! I have a lift which helped this old grandpa git er done! 😂

Still Can’t believe mine didn’t come with them?? It had the holes in the torque boxes!

 

They were not on my 1970 (455 non convertible A body) Vista Cruiser.

After my engine and drivetrain work, I might need these! Thanks for that observation.

 

If someone has a 72 PIM(assembly manual), you can look to see if there was an exception for some reason. 70-71 manuals state all A-body 455 cars except convertibles

 

1970 PIM, Section 11, Page 141 states that fender brace assemblies are for "455 cu. in. engine coupes only."

 

[QUOTE=VC455;1393058]They were not on my 1970 (455 non convertible A body) Vista Cruiser.



Those fender braces were on my '71 Vista, 455 equipped.

 

Thank you very much for posting the detailed photos. The Assembly Manual is worthless when it comes to location of the bars, specifically at the torque box. My 72 455 (non W30) is missing them (and frankly missing a lot of parts) and I plan to remove the wheel wells to paint them, so will install the bars at that time.

 

You are very welcome! I’m glad that the photos will help you out!

OLE442