Front air deflector question

[Longroof79]

I want to replace the lower air deflector that mounts under the radiator support. The front SS airdam is coming off. My original deflector was tossed out probably 20 yrs ago.
My question is. Are the various G-body air deflectors interchangeable? I saw one in the junkyard the other day on 4-dr Cutlass.
I was wondering if I should go back and grab it. Would anyone know if it's the same as the Malibu deflector?

 

[pontiacgp]

I think it would be the same since the basic design of the rad support is the same on all G bodies

 

[Longroof79]

Steve,
I was wondering about that. I think the Cutlass used the same rad support as a Malibu, only that the body lines and shapes are different. However, it a functional part, not an aesthetic part.

 

[pontiacgp]

If I am not sure if a part is interchangeable I check with the dealer, the parts aren't usually available but they will still come up on their screen with a part number and that number can be cross referenced

 

[Longroof79]

I have an '84 crash estimating guide, and I can find the part #( 559969) for the Cutlass air deflector. But for some strange reason can't find the one(s) for a '78-'81 Malibu, or even an '82-'83 Malibu. The '82-'83 parts breakdown indicates the part, but I think there's a typo in the part #. :|
If someone out there has GM parts books, maybe they can cross reference the part #'s for me..?
...or I can wing it and grab the part and hope for the best.

 

[oldtinsmith]

FYI, the air deflectors were made in different lengths also (up to 46 3/4"). I've got one from a '78 Grand Am that was mounted to an aluminum core support (with aluminum radiator "X" brace) and is 46 3/4" long. How many of varied lengths I have no idea.

Doug

 

[Longroof79]

Hey Doug,
Thank you very much for the information. Perhaps I'll bring my tape measure to the junkyard with me. But first I'll take a ballpark measurement across my own radiator support and see if that length would work in my case.

I didn't even think of looking under '78-'84 El Camino/ Caballero. I went back and actually found it, and it was the same part #....yahoo!!

 

[oldtinsmith]

Hey Jack,
Thought I'd post up a picture of my core support with th long deflector for you to see. The ends don't actually fasten to the support.

Doug

 

[79loserbluebu]

Yes they are interchangeable. I had the long one that was pictured in this thread, so I replaced it with what I thought would be the same. Ended up being a reproduction one, which was much shorter and curved at the end. I had to notch it to fit with the "GP brace", but it funtions the exact same. And it's also shorter and less visible from a couple feet away.

 

[Longroof79]

Hey Jack,
Thought I'd post up a picture of my core support with th long deflector for you to see. The ends don't actually fasten to the support.

Doug

Doug,
Thanks for posting the pic of your rad support with air deflector.
That one is longer than what was originally on my car... and the one at the junkyard. The junkyard piece is shorter and fits just underneath the radiator support and has rounded ends.