C2 Vent Window Regulators

[John Lokay]

Has anyone used a fellow by the name of Dennis (forgot his last name) from Collinsville, Mo. to have vent window regulators rebuilt? I would like to hear if you were satisfied with his work. Also, it is my understanding that, after reviewing some past article's on vent window regulator repair in the Restorer, that original coupe regulators has three circular marks on the end of the regulator shaft and that convertible regulators (and replacement units from GM) had only two such marks. Is my understanding correct? Dennis told me that regulators with two circular marks on the shaft were utilized in both coupe's and convertibles. Thanks

[Zachary K.]

Re: C2 Vent Window Regulators

John, I needed regulators to pass my PV, both right and left sides had too much play. While looking into what I was going to do I came up with 4 different options. I don't remember the name of the first guy I called, but I pulled his name out of the Driveline. He basically took your regulators and shimmed the unit to get the play out of the assembly. I wasn't really to happy with this option as the internal parts were still worn and shimming was just going to be a band aid for the problem. I also tried looking for NOS regulators and had a friend tell me that he had a few NOS regulators but he wouldn't even sell them to anyone doing a PV because he felt they had too much play also. (yes, brand new in the GM box regulators) I spoke with another friend who found that a distributor listed them in their parts book, he ordered them for his car as he was going for a PV also. At his next PV he failed as they had too much play also. My last option I had found was another ad in the Driveline, and it was Dennis in MO. He explained to me that he is a machinist, and what he does is takes your regulators, dis-assembles them saves the drive, or the crank handle gear as that is a hardened steel gear. He machines a new mating gear of the same material, not the pot metal that the factory used. He then machines a new housing for the new assembly. I was very pleased with his work, the housings although looking quite a bit different mounted very nicely without problem and the play after installed is very minimal. In fact the PV judge commented on how nice the regualtors moved.

I would used his wordmanship again, if and when needed, and wouldn't hesitate to pass this information along to anyone in need of vent window regulators. Also, as a last note, I have never met Dennis other than talking to him over the phone and have no other connections with him or his business. Hope this helps you, and if you have anymore questions you can email me.

As far as the length of the shafts, I do recall reading an article possibly in the Restorer about the shaft differences. I will have to look back into that, but if you are going to use Dennis, ship him yours and he uses your old shaft so you won't have to worry about that. Lastly his turn around time was excellent. Good luck, Zach #9838.

[Mike Sasser]

Re: C2 Vent Window Regulators

My 65 coupe has the regulator with the three circular marks and since Bubba had already tried to fix mine, it was not fixable. I bought one from GM restoration parts made by TrimParts and it was a very good reproduction with the 3 rings on the end. I haven't installed it yet so I can't verify how it works yet

[John Lokay]

Re: C2 Vent Window Regulators

Mike, is the lenght of the shaft correct for the coupe, that is shorter then the two ring convertible shaft? Also, what is the web site address for GM Restoration and what was the cost of the coupe replacement regulator you purchased?

[John H.]

Re: C2 Vent Window Regulators

www.trimparts.com

[Mike Sasser]

Re: C2 Vent Window Regulators

I bought the regulator from Corvette Central, but it is a trim parts item, made in the USA. I checked the trimparts web site and couldn't find the regulator there, maybe they haven't put it on the web site yet. The shaft is the same length as my old original one for my 65 coupe and has the three rings. It cost me $125

[Zachary K.]

Re: C2 Vent Window Regulators

Ok, I did more research as I was curious on this ring on the shaft situation. I recalled reading about these in the Restorer somewhere back. I looked back through all my issues to find the article. Volume 24 No. 4 Spring of 1998 has an excellent article by Bill Turner if your interested. His research shows 4 different regulators used from 63 to 67. With the earliest having no grooves to the 65 to 67 regulators having 2 and 3 grooves, depending on coupe or convertible. This was a follow up article to his first article written in Vol. 23 No. 4 Spring of 1997.