'69 rear CORVETTE letters

[Kent K.]

Question No. 1:
Now that the gas tank is out, I have the opportunity to redrill holes for the CORVETTE letters across the rear fascia panel that a painter filled in. The filler material in the original holes is visible and access is somewhat easier now than later. Assuming the filler material was broadcast over the fascia panel area and sanded down to a thin layer, it spans the holes and may chip out if I try to "center punch" ouy the holes. Therefore, I was considering drilling them out but have reservations about how to preserve the initial hole size and location without the drill bit wandering. Does anyone have any suggestions?

Question No. 2:
The replacement gas tank I have is from Quanta and I've searched their web site for a '69 coupe gas filler neck without success. Does it remain available from Chevrolet/GM or does someone reproduce it faithfully?

Thanks and Happy New Year,
Kent #6201

[Art A.]

Re: '69 rear CORVETTE letters

Kent, Can you sand the hole areas with a dremel tool from the inside of the rear fascia? If so, I would do that first just to see the original hole size. Then I would use the smallest drill bit I had, working up to the original size hole. For a little added insurance I would tape the outside painted surface and just drill thru the tape.

FWIW dept

Art

[Harmon C.]

Re: '69 rear CORVETTE letters

Kent
I used a small drill bit that fit in the smallest collet of my battery operated dremel tool to locate the holes from the inside as close to the center as I could. The filler was softer than the fiberglass and I kept using a larger drill from the outside by hand till each letter fit. The hole for the pin is smaller than the stud. By working slow I was able to save the paint.
Lyle

[Kent K.]

Re: '69 rear CORVETTE letters

Art & Lyle,

You both had the same suggestions, thank you very much for the help. Great idea!!! I tend to forget about that hobbiest tool. I'll give it a good run using my old single-speed Dremel tool ... probably have to shop for some fresh sanding disks though.

Now, if I could just find information about the gas filler neck.

Thanks again,
Kent #6201

[Mark #28455]

Paragon P 49 #1448

See Paragon C3 catalog page 49? Part #1449 approx $80. I took my old one, cleaned it up in the bead cabinet and zinc plated it for a lot less $$$.
Mark

[Kent K.]

Re: Paragon P 49 #1448

Thanks Mark. I was hoping for a smaller expenditure as a temporary part to get the car to Old Town. My filler neck is rusty inside like the tank. Maybe I'll try cleaning the rust off and coating that area with something as a temporary measure until there is more time for zinc plating. Anyone have suggestions for what to coat it with other than epoxy?

Regards, Kent #6201

[David B.]

'69 rear CORVETTE letters (Kent Keech)

Kent,

I have actually done the same thing on my '69 and I recommend something different that the proposals I have read here. The filler is softer than the fiberglass and you can take a small bit between your fingers and spin it slowly and it will remove the putty without bothering the fibreglass at all. Using any type of power tool will risk damaging the body panel, but this will work well and not damage anything. Just move up sizes until it is fully cleaned.

Dave B.

[Kent K.]

Re: '69 rear CORVETTE letters (Kent Keech)

Thanks Dave. Good idea, I'll try it.
Kent #6201