A few weeks ago, there was a discussion on the board regarding tie rod clamps. I've done some research on this subject and here's what I've come up with:
1963 Corvettes were originally fitted with tie rod clamp GM #3742920. This tie rod clamp has an interior diameter of .85" and a width of .75". This clamp has the "two rib" external configuration, with "reinforcing ribs" close to each edge of the clamp. This clamp was used from start of production 1963 until approximately May, 1968. At that time, it was discontinued and replaced by GM #3902938.
Clamp GM #3902938 is, as far as I can tell, identical to clamp #3742920. It is of the same dimensions and of the same "two rib" external configuration. It was used on Corvettes from approximately May, 1968 through approximately February, 1975. At that time, it was discontinued and replaced by GM #3954397.
Clamp GM # 3954397 is dimensionally similar to GM #3902398, but it is of the "single rib" configuration. This configuration has one reinforcing rib of significantly greater size than either of the ribs seen on earlier clamps. The rib is located in the center of the clamp. Clamp GM# 3954397 was used from approximately February, 1975 until the end of C3 production in 1982. It is still available in service for all 1963 to 1982 Corvette tie rod clamp applications.
In the course of my research I also learned a little about C1 tie rod clamps. I do not know for sure what clamp was originally used on C1 Corvette tie rods. However, I believe that it was GM #599234. In any event, by 1963 this was the part catalogued for 1953-62 Corvette tie-rod clamp applications. This clamp is similar to the GM #3742920 used on 63+ Corvettes, but it is of smaller internal diameter of .75". It does, however, have the "two-rib" configuration of the 3742920 and 3902938 clamps. Interestingly, the 599234 clamp is still available from GM and is used in other applications.
1963 Corvettes were originally fitted with tie rod clamp GM #3742920. This tie rod clamp has an interior diameter of .85" and a width of .75". This clamp has the "two rib" external configuration, with "reinforcing ribs" close to each edge of the clamp. This clamp was used from start of production 1963 until approximately May, 1968. At that time, it was discontinued and replaced by GM #3902938.
Clamp GM #3902938 is, as far as I can tell, identical to clamp #3742920. It is of the same dimensions and of the same "two rib" external configuration. It was used on Corvettes from approximately May, 1968 through approximately February, 1975. At that time, it was discontinued and replaced by GM #3954397.
Clamp GM # 3954397 is dimensionally similar to GM #3902398, but it is of the "single rib" configuration. This configuration has one reinforcing rib of significantly greater size than either of the ribs seen on earlier clamps. The rib is located in the center of the clamp. Clamp GM# 3954397 was used from approximately February, 1975 until the end of C3 production in 1982. It is still available in service for all 1963 to 1982 Corvette tie rod clamp applications.
In the course of my research I also learned a little about C1 tie rod clamps. I do not know for sure what clamp was originally used on C1 Corvette tie rods. However, I believe that it was GM #599234. In any event, by 1963 this was the part catalogued for 1953-62 Corvette tie-rod clamp applications. This clamp is similar to the GM #3742920 used on 63+ Corvettes, but it is of smaller internal diameter of .75". It does, however, have the "two-rib" configuration of the 3742920 and 3902938 clamps. Interestingly, the 599234 clamp is still available from GM and is used in other applications.