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Engine oil caps. R has a smaller cap with the words OIL on top. S type is larger with no writing. The alternator bracket on an "R" is a true bracket - the "S" has a heavier, solid, cast piece. The window rubber on and R is solid rubber all the way round, and has a metal trim piece at the top. The S has a thin plastic strip insert around the rubber. On the inside of the car, the trim on an R is also made of metal, which covers the rubber - the S is exposed rubber. The buttons on R Series door handles are chrome, S ones are black plastic. The ashtray on the rear of the front seat has a raised section on the lid of the R, whereas the S has a plain flat lid. The recess in the lower portion of the dash bezel on an "R" (where the steering column rests) is shaped differently to an "S". The R has a black thinner "lip", while the S has a larger black area. |
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Other differences (and there's quite a few), are as follows.......
Front Guards - R guards - whilst being basically the same shape as S ones - have a large flat panel behind the headlights \, whereas the S has nothing behind the headlights. Reason being, S headlight units have "cover" on the rear of the headlight unit, which encloses the back of the lights. R models have a different shaped headlight unit - without the covers - and it is protected at the rear by this large panel welded into the guard.
Looking at them, it was probably cheaper to simply attach small covers on the rear of each life, protecting it from the elements, rather than a large heavy metal panel. The flat metal section below the headlights is also narrower on the S.
Bonnets - the obvious differences are that the R bonnet has no holes drilled for the thin metal strip down the centre, but it also doesn't have the front metal panel on which the S series VALIANT bonnet mold bolts to. The bonnet latch is also different. Mind you, and S bonnet can be made into an R one, by welding up the holes for the strip, removing the front mold panel at the front, and also the new R bonnet latch needs to be welded into place.
BUT.....perhaps the most little known fact is that the framework under the bonnet, is different on an R. It relates to the hollowed indentations near the "circle" section in the centre of the under-bonnet frame. The hollowed out bits are about 2 inches longer on genuine R bonnets.
Horns - many people think R model horns are simply S ones with shorter/smaller mounting brackets. Not so - the horns themselves are actually shaped differently on the horn "opening". The horns also mount underneath the front guard - at the front.
Gravel Tray - the stone / gravel tray is different on an R.
Lower Control Arm - the L.C.A is different, not only in shape, but also in the bush it uses. You can not use the commonly accepted lower control arm bush, in an R Series arm.
Steering assembly - The Pitman Arm is different, and pretty much impossible to find NEW. Steering box is different, and it's a lot to do with the spline that goes into the Pitman arm. The draglink is different on an R Series because THE TIE RODS HAVE SMALLER THREADED SECTIONS. The draglink actually has smaller holes where the tie rods connect, meaning if you have an orginal R, you can't just buy any generic Valiant tie rod end. The way around this is to change the draglink.
Horns - similar but completely different at the same time. R horns are located under the front of the car, screwed behind the bumper to a panel on the front guards, and they have different brackets to the S. Because of this, the wiring for the horns is also different to an S who's horns are mounted in the engine compartment on the inner guards.
Starter Motor - while the starter on an S series is unique in itself, and used on the S and also some V8's, the R Series starter motor is uniquely R.
Fuel Tank - different sizes. According to the manual, the R tank hold 10 3/4 Gallons ( roughly 48 litres ), while the S has 11 3/4 Gallons ( 53 litres )
Front Guards - R guards - whilst being basically the same shape as S ones - have a large flat panel behind the headlights \, whereas the S has nothing behind the headlights. Reason being, S headlight units have "cover" on the rear of the headlight unit, which encloses the back of the lights. R models have a different shaped headlight unit - without the covers - and it is protected at the rear by this large panel welded into the guard.
Looking at them, it was probably cheaper to simply attach small covers on the rear of each life, protecting it from the elements, rather than a large heavy metal panel. The flat metal section below the headlights is also narrower on the S.
Bonnets - the obvious differences are that the R bonnet has no holes drilled for the thin metal strip down the centre, but it also doesn't have the front metal panel on which the S series VALIANT bonnet mold bolts to. The bonnet latch is also different. Mind you, and S bonnet can be made into an R one, by welding up the holes for the strip, removing the front mold panel at the front, and also the new R bonnet latch needs to be welded into place.
BUT.....perhaps the most little known fact is that the framework under the bonnet, is different on an R. It relates to the hollowed indentations near the "circle" section in the centre of the under-bonnet frame. The hollowed out bits are about 2 inches longer on genuine R bonnets.
Horns - many people think R model horns are simply S ones with shorter/smaller mounting brackets. Not so - the horns themselves are actually shaped differently on the horn "opening". The horns also mount underneath the front guard - at the front.
Gravel Tray - the stone / gravel tray is different on an R.
Lower Control Arm - the L.C.A is different, not only in shape, but also in the bush it uses. You can not use the commonly accepted lower control arm bush, in an R Series arm.
Steering assembly - The Pitman Arm is different, and pretty much impossible to find NEW. Steering box is different, and it's a lot to do with the spline that goes into the Pitman arm. The draglink is different on an R Series because THE TIE RODS HAVE SMALLER THREADED SECTIONS. The draglink actually has smaller holes where the tie rods connect, meaning if you have an orginal R, you can't just buy any generic Valiant tie rod end. The way around this is to change the draglink.
Horns - similar but completely different at the same time. R horns are located under the front of the car, screwed behind the bumper to a panel on the front guards, and they have different brackets to the S. Because of this, the wiring for the horns is also different to an S who's horns are mounted in the engine compartment on the inner guards.
Starter Motor - while the starter on an S series is unique in itself, and used on the S and also some V8's, the R Series starter motor is uniquely R.
Fuel Tank - different sizes. According to the manual, the R tank hold 10 3/4 Gallons ( roughly 48 litres ), while the S has 11 3/4 Gallons ( 53 litres )
