'68 Lock Mechanism Question

[Roger Legge]

An earlier posting regarding '68 storage compartments prompted me to do some checking of a late-build coupe I've owned for almost five years. Odd as it may sound, I had never opened the center or jack compartments - both doors were 'stuck'. I did more checking today in better light and while having more time. Terry McManmon had posted earlier about the center compartment lid being plastic and, sure enough, it is plastic. It appears to be unpainted black plastic. I have a question regarding a lock mechanism I found laying in the storage tray that is above the jack. It's a removable piece, no numbers or letters on it, grayish color and the round key operates the lock. It looks like it slides down on something because it has a hole about 3/8" size in it right next to the slot for the key. There is a spring inside and a round spring-loaded rod that retracts when the key is turned. Could someone please tell me what this lock is for? TIA

Roger
36316

[Joe L.]

Re: '68 Lock Mechanism Question

Roger-----

It sounds like the spare tire lock. If so, the "hole" in it fits over the head of the special bolt that secures the front of the spare tire tray. Usually, this lock is covered with a rubber boot.

[Roger Legge]

Re: '68 Lock Mechanism/Seat Shims

Thanks, Joe! Yep, that's it - I don't have the lock boot. I took a quick look back there, but the bolt head seemed too big. It's a close fit, but I just snapped it on there. Can anyone recommend a source for a lock boot?

One more item I found is the pouch with the 8 shims for the seat adjustment.

Roger
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[Joe L.]

Re: '68 Lock Mechanism/Seat Shims

Roger----

The lock boot is still available from GM under GM #3841701 for about 7 bucks, GM list.

[Roger Legge]

Re: '68 Lock Mechanism/Seat Shims

Joe, thanks for the p/n. As an FYI on the shims, the rectangular ones have a stamp on them - it's an oval with a letter S in the middle and there's a short, vertical bar dead center in the middle of the S. This is a June build date car.

Roger
#36316

[Joe L.]

Re: '68 Lock Mechanism/Seat Shims

Roger-----

The shims sound like the "real deal". Are they painted with a metallic silver-gray paint, are they bare metal, or are they otherwise finished?

[Roger Legge]

Re: '68 Seat Shims & Misc

All 8 appear to be painted a silver metallic paint, with the 'bottom' side either having no paint or a partial spray. Actually, 3 of the round ones are painted on the 'bottom' (the more rounded side being the 'top' - from the stamping, I'd guess). The holes in the round ones are slightly larger than the holes in the rectangular ones. I have no reason to believe they are not original. Interesting because the TIM&JG states the round ones are natural finish. The seller never mentioned anything about these, the jack, the tray, etc, and I never asked. The center and pass side lids were stuck closed. The pouch is just as described in the TIM&JG, but it is somewhat discolored in spots, looks old and looks like cheap/thin material. I could sure see these pieces getting thrown out, even by people that would keep all paperwork, etc.

A couple other comments. I found a piece of dense black foam, 1 1/4" X 1" X 7/16" thick. Was something like this used around the jack or lug wrench? It appeared to me at first that the jack may not have ever been removed, but it looks like it might have been at some point because the S shaped attachment gizmo doesn't look like it's hooked up the way the factory intended.

Last comment is that the pass side tray does not have a date stamp on the bottom and the tray has two 13/16" holes in the sides - what could be described as the passeneger and driver side of the tray.

Roger
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