The top has been done for a while now, I forgot to come back and update this thread - here are a few pics. My installer used the foil tape over the screw holes and then the 1/8" landau top foam to make the plug level with the metal roof structure. Sanded it to blend. Then the top went on like...
The edges of any of those little dots or swedges I think they call them, that overlap that seam need to be carefully cut or ground away with a Dremel tool and then that little back piece will come out. And then the lense drops out. I'd just use some JB Weld in place of the swedges when you...
Yeah I wouldn't scrap them, I took a quick look on facebook marketplace near me and didn't come up with any e-body axles nearby but there were a couple of sellers with b-body 8 3/4 axles asking $125-$225/pr.
I think it was 73 when they switched from the brass valves to the cast iron ones as above. The cast iron ones were used on a lot of cars & years. Can you post a pic of what you have now? If it's an original brass one off of a 70-72 it could be worth some good $ and should not be discarded. But...
What are the part #s on your wheels?
As I understand it, the 70-71 15x7 rallyes part #2944390 were made in the US while the later 72-73 15x7 rallyes originally found on B-Bodies were part #3580071 and made in Canada.
The made in Canada wheels apparently have slight differences in the scallops...
Buying new reproductions from Year One is probably your best bet, you might try Emblemagic Classic Car Emblems and Badges - antique cloisonne badges and plastic insert emblems our two specialties but I would guess the price of restoring your originals will be far more than buying the repops.
Why Green Bearings? - Quality Body Shop Drivetrain (Doctordiff.com)
From the article-
"First generation (RP-400) Green bearings, still sold by Mopar Performance and others, are problematic because the crimped-on flange will not allow the bearing to wiggle around inside a housing that is not...
As far as where to buy one, Dante's is where I got mine-
Our Products - Vinyl Tops
He's in south Jersey too, maybe he knows of a shop to do the installation.
My brother and I both used a guy that comes to your location but he's in North NJ so not sure if he'll travel to south NJ or not, but if...
Topher McGinnis
http://www.headlightmotorman.com/
or
Bill Meerholz
Bill Meerholz Enterprises - NOS Mopar, Restored Original and Quality Used Mopar and Chrysler Parts
My numbers matching 383HP block was cast 7-10-69 and the car was built in late March of 1970. Agree your block was possibly decked so the pad numbers were wiped out.