'66, 4-speed console restoration; Help...

[Gary B.]

I'm trying to determine the best way to remove the sliding door that covers the ash tray on my '66 4-speed console. Am I correct in thinking that the only way to remove the sliding door that covers the ash tray portal is to remove the frame on the underside of the console that the door edges slide in? Does anyone know if there is a way to unpeen the rivet-like studs that hold the frame to the console and to unpeen them in a way that allows one to repeen the studs after restoring the sliding door?

Secondly, what's the best way to remove the chrome tap on the top side of the sliding door that one pushes and pulls to open and shut the door. On the underside, it looks like there are two studs that are peened over, but there's also what looks like a squashed rivet head between the two studs. Is an entire sliding door with the tab attached available as an acceptable repro item?

Thanks,

Gary

[Scott Marzahl]

Re: '66, 4-speed console restoration; Help...

I used a Dremel tool and ground those peened studs away so I could remove the frame. I will use epoxy to assemble it after I get it back from the platers. Sorry but I can't help with the door itself yet, I haven't ventured that far into it yet.

[Ken Edmunds]

Re: '66, 4-speed console restoration; Help...

Don't remove the frame! Remove the door, it is probably scrached and crappy looking anyway. Just take pliers and snap the little handle off, bend the tabs alittle underneath and the door slides out. Reassemble with new door and knob.

[Gary B.]

Re: '66, 4-speed console restoration; Help...

Ken,

So no need to try and save the handle? My handle looks in good shape. It's just the top surface of the door that is scratched.

How do the repro handles attach to the repro doors? One must re-attach the handle after the door is slid in place, yes?

Gary

[Scott S.]

Re: '66, 4-speed console restoration; Help...

Make sure you find the knob that doesn't use set scres if you can

[Gary B.]

Can of worms...

You guys are starting to make this project sound like a can of worms. From the sound of it, there are repros of the knob/tab that do use set screws, but are there repros that don't use set screws and instead have the hollow studs or a rivet to peen over?

Gary

[Tracy C.]

Re: Can of worms...

Gary,

Do not remove the entire frame.

Use a 1/4 drill bit to remove the peened over rivet heads that holds the knob on the ash tray door. Hold the bit between your thumb and finger and rotate it by hand. You only want to remove the peened rivet head. Unfortunately, the knob will be junk after this, but it's the only wy to get it off.

Once the knob is off, you need to bend the little tabs back at the rear of the nylon slider guides and slide the door out the end.

Corvette Central sell correct knobs with the hollow studs. These will peen over like the originals when it's time to go back together.

good luck,
tc

[Gary B.]

Excellent info! Thanks Tracy *NM*

[John M.]

Re: Excellent info! Thanks Tracy

My memory may be shot but I think all you have to do is bend the tabs over that are at the end of the slots that the nylon slides are in, slide them out and the whole door and knob will then fall out. Am I losing it?

[Bill Stephenson]

Re: Excellent info! Thanks Tracy

------Thats what I remember also, John!........Bill S

[Gary B.]

No, the door won't slide out w/o removing knob

Guys,

Even with the two tangs on the front end of the side slots bent out of the way, the door will only slide until the "knob" on the front side hits either the fore or aft end of the ash tray hole. The knob must be removed first.

Gary

[John M.]

Re: No, the door won't slide out w/o removing knob

Gary, did you slide the nylon things out? I know that I didn't remove the knob, just can't remember exactly what I did.

[Gary B.]

John; no I didn't...

John,

No, I didn't remove the nylon guides at each side. Do you think if I did then there would be enough side-to-side play to remove the door?

Gary

[Mike M.]

Nylon Guides

Is anyone is making the Nylon Guides that the ash tray door slides on. Mine are all cracked and falling apart. Thanks Mike

[John M.]

Re: John; no I didn't...

Gary, It's been a couple of years but I'm pretty sure that's the case. Can you check it out?