82 CE Rear Hatch Hinges

[Dwayne Tomko]

I have an 82 CE, and the rear hatch hinges are stretching. This is a common problem to every CE owner that I have talked to. I was wondering if any of you would have access to any of the original GM data, or drawings of these hinges?

If I can find the original dimensions of the hinges, then I could try to reform them to correct position. And there is a possibility that we can have some new ones made to eliminate this problem.
Thanks
Dwayne

[Joe L.]

Re: 82 CE Rear Hatch Hinges

Dwayne-----

The hinges of which you speak were GM #14038209, lh, and GM #14038210, rh. These parts were used only for the 1982 Collector's Edition application and no other application on any other Corvette or other GM car. They were discontinued by GM about 10 years ago. Due to their demand because of breakage and exactly the problem that you describe, NOS stocks are pretty well dried up. As far as I know, no one currently reproduces these pieces.

I do not have the GM blueprints or other specs for these parts, and I don't know how you could get them. However, something that you might try to do is to find at least one of the above part numbers in NOS form somewhere, sometime. Then, you could "reverse engineer" it and obtain all of the specs that you need. The problem is, of course, finding that NOS example is going to be VERY difficult. But, I'm sure that there are still a few out there somewhere.

[Dwayne Tomko]

Re: 82 CE Rear Hatch Hinges

Thanks for the response.
I thought that I had read somewhere that the NCRS had purchased a very low mileage 82 CE in Florida last year for judging purposes.
If so, then it would be a perfect candidate for getting the dimensions of the hinges from.

Other that that, I will start checking all the GM dealerships that I can for the OEM parts. Thank you for the part numbers that you provided.

And, any other information about this subject will be greatly appreciated.

Dwayne Tomko

[Wayne W.]

Re: 82 CE Rear Hatch Hinges

They are very easily bent back into shape with a little pressure in a vice. By what method do you propose to remake them? I just might know where there are some.

[Dwayne Tomko]

Re: 82 CE Rear Hatch Hinges

I was thinking that some good high tensile aluminum would be pretty easy to machine to the correct specs, and the exterior would be easy to machine to look like original hinges, then just paint them to match.

If you can get the dimensions from the ones that you know about, Or maybe even lend them to me, I am sure that something could be worked out.

Dwayne