The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network - View Single Post - How to tell you have OEM inner fenders

**71CHEVYSHORTBED402** · 05-12-2018, 04:48 PM

When I pulled the RH inner fender I found "they" had run a sheet metal screw into the outer fender instead of using the fixed nut in the "pocket" of said fender. Made me wonder, and it was suggested that is it was a replacement. Since then I did somewhat a dry run with the fender and inner fender off the truck (using a large exercise ball), and I see no reason why they did this outside carelessness.

The fenders were stripped, and I left them in the garage (don't do that). They were supposed to be done by now, but that's another story. Anyway, water got on them bringing rust, and I cleaned the worst of the two first. I used a rust remover concoction on the entire thing and sprayed it off with water DEFIANTLY DON"T DO THAT. I didn't want to leave it on there, for fear it would etch the metal. The result was a solid rust color (go figure). So I spent much time getting familiar with that fender.

I was a bit excited to see my RH inner fender had two stamps (pictured). Anyone ever seen these stamps? But to my disappointment, the LH fender doesn't have a single stamp. Couldn't tell you, but 100,000/1 the LH is original. I could be wrong, but I still believe they're both OEM. The reason is the braces spot welded onto the fenders are exactly the same. Even the holes are equally off-center where the brace is located front bottom inside.

On a side, this cleaning rust business wasn't a total waste. I discovered lacquer thinner and a scotch pad is your friend in these cases. The thinner breaks up the surface rust and comes off easy. I spent well over two hours cleaning up the rust on that RH fender. Took 15 minutes to do the LH fender.

I now keep them in the back room.

05-12-2018, 04:48 PM	#1
71CHEVYSHORTBED402 Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Northern Nevada Posts: 7,129	How to tell you have OEM inner fenders - maybe When I pulled the RH inner fender I found "they" had run a sheet metal screw into the outer fender instead of using the fixed nut in the "pocket" of said fender. Made me wonder, and it was suggested that is it was a replacement. Since then I did somewhat a dry run with the fender and inner fender off the truck (using a large exercise ball), and I see no reason why they did this outside carelessness. The fenders were stripped, and I left them in the garage (don't do that). They were supposed to be done by now, but that's another story. Anyway, water got on them bringing rust, and I cleaned the worst of the two first. I used a rust remover concoction on the entire thing and sprayed it off with water DEFIANTLY DON"T DO THAT. I didn't want to leave it on there, for fear it would etch the metal. The result was a solid rust color (go figure). So I spent much time getting familiar with that fender. I was a bit excited to see my RH inner fender had two stamps (pictured). Anyone ever seen these stamps? But to my disappointment, the LH fender doesn't have a single stamp. Couldn't tell you, but 100,000/1 the LH is original. I could be wrong, but I still believe they're both OEM. The reason is the braces spot welded onto the fenders are exactly the same. Even the holes are equally off-center where the brace is located front bottom inside. On a side, this cleaning rust business wasn't a total waste. I discovered lacquer thinner and a scotch pad is your friend in these cases. The thinner breaks up the surface rust and comes off easy. I spent well over two hours cleaning up the rust on that RH fender. Took 15 minutes to do the LH fender. I now keep them in the back room. Attached Images __________________ Tony 71 Custom Deluxe, SWB, 2WD, 402, A/C. I developed an assm. guide "kit" for restoring it from ground up. With assys, the guide accts for 1000s details such as OEM identifications& part numbers, written in short order. 700+ images include assm, illust., charts, and points of interest. Much of the info. applies to all 67-72 GM trucks, and to a lessor degree all 67-72 GM vehicles. My build thread, and more on the guide https://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/...d.php?t=730025 Last edited by 71CHEVYSHORTBED402; 05-12-2018 at 08:09 PM.