What other years did Chevrolet use the open end wrench to remove the hardtop that was used on the 1962 model year? Could anyone tell me how you can tell if the wrench is correct or not? Any wording or markings on it?
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There is an excellent photo...
of this wrench in Noland Adams' book. Basically, it is the cheapest, no-name double open end wrench you'll see. You could probably get one almost show correct at any flea market which has cheap tools. Avoid the "Made in China", unless you want to grind that off. Originals are very rare, because it was such a cheap looking "piece" I guess people tended to lose it. -
Here are 2 shots of the available repro
This is widely available for $24-$28. I know, fools and money, but it would have cost me $28 for gas and admission to Pomona to find one....
Here's a link to the other side of the wrench:
https://webfiles.uci.edu/redwards/public/Hardtop%20wrench%20from%20Mary%20Jo%20Side%20%232% 205-20-05.jpg?uniq=t87j9a
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Ever Wonder Why.....
...the wrench is a combination 1/2" - 9/16" when the correct sizes of the hardtop nuts and bolts are 7/16" and 1/2"?
MichaelComment
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Re: Ever Wonder Why.....
Michael--you lost me. What is 7/16? all the 56-62 cars I've ever had used the same 1/2 head stainless shouldered bolt that threads through the top brackets into the stainless barrells on the body.
Thanks,
Mike ErnstComment
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Re: Ever Wonder Why.....
Hi Mike,
I wasn't paying attention to the original post and missed the fact that the discussion was for C1. I assumed it was C2 and I remembered that, years ago, several C2 "originals" were shown as the 1/2" - 9/16", which would be incorrect for the 7/16" - 1/2" size that C2 required.
MichaelComment
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Re: Ever Wonder Why.....
We read with our own filters, don't we? You're a midyear guy, I'm a solid-axle guy, and we just filter everything accordingly! Fortunately, every once in a while, we get things right!
I always appreciate your experience and your wisdom--and am envious of your experience.
Mike ErnstComment
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Re: Ever Wonder Why.....
Thanks Mike. Yes, as soon as the words "hardtop wrench" came up, I just automatically had a mental pic of the two different sizes on C2 hardtop fasteners and off I went!! Glad you caught it before people started sending emails asking if I had even a remote clue about C1's. (I don't)
It gets worse. I once posted (at 3:30 AM, half asleep) that all Chevrolet V8 distributor gears had eight teeth! John Hinckley was kind enough to inform me that I "may" have counted incorrectly, which gave me time to make corrections on the discussion board.
Regards,
MichaelComment
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