C3 Rocker Cover Damage at Car Show

[Christopher J. Bunsey]

I had my C3 at a local show. My rocker covers are (were) mint originals. Someone took something sharp and srcatched the pass. side rocker in the shape of a "V". It is not too deep, and am hoping this can be polished out? It looks like #$%%! Any suggestions would be appreciated including suggestions on who could repair this or what I can use or if it is toast. I am so upset at these people!

Thanks

[Harmon C.]

Re: C3 Rocker Cover Damage at Car Show

Christopher

I tried to remove a scratch and the original finish was gone in no time so don't try it with steel wool.The results looked real bad. It has been talked about before that they could be replated if someone had a large enough anodizing tank.
Lyle

[Jack H.]

Re: C3 Rocker Cover Damage at Car Show

If you're talking about the '76 L82 mentioned in your profile (you're not telling us what car/what configuration...), then you've got cast aluminum valve covers. They're supposed to be 'natural' in an 'as cast' finish.

If you polish them to remove the scratch, you've disturbed the original finish and you'll lose points on Originality/Finish. If you leave the scratch, you'll take a minor deduction on Condition. So, you're on the horns of a dilema...

About your only good choices are: (1) find an equivalent condition, used original to replace the damaged valve cover, or (2) pull both covers and send them out to be re-skinned to recover the natural, as-cast, factory finish. It's probably cheaper to shop around and find a single used original in decent condition...

[Harmon C.]

Re: C3 Rocker Cover Damage at Car Show

Valve cover,rocker panel,and rocker cover? I think I missed the boat.
Thanks Jack
Lyle

[John D.]

Re: C3 Rocker Cover Damage at Car Show

The problem for sure with a lot of our posts is inaccurate info or the lack there of.
Typical terminology for Corvette valve covers is just that. Valve covers. So I assume that Chris meant rocker moldings which is short for rocker cover moldings.
Recently someone referred to a fuel injection base plate as a valley cover. Valley cover is really going off the deep end for proper terminology for a fuel injected Corvette. That part is a pain to start with because RP called it base plate, adapter plate, and other confusing terms. The thing is an intake to 90% of the world. We all understand intake but out of respect NCRS calls it base plate in the JM and that's close enough. I also call it adapter plate, base plate, base adapter, etc. Sometimes to a novice I call it a plain old aluminum intake. LATELY THE POSTS ARE GETTING WORSE WITH IMPROPER INFO.
Again a lot of us give very vague info. It's not the administrations fault. It's our fault for assuming the other guy knows what we are talking about.
If the problem today is the long rocker molding below the door so far I haven't heard of anyone set up to restore them and them get them anodized. I mean that would be long big buck tank and the return on the investment and the time it would take to do the job would be cost prohibitive.
But if the problem is just a valve cover then a fix is possible but then when the cover is refinished it is typically too dull.Those that refinish valve covers so far don't seem to have the correct finish for C3 valve covers. Just C1 and C2. The C3 have a more polished look. An anodized look. The C1 and C2's are a piece of cake as far as finish goes. Sorry to vent. JD

[Christopher J. Bunsey]

Re: C3 Rocker Cover Damage at Car Show

yes it is the rocker moldings below the door on my 1976. Any sources for one in excellent condition...then the price...any estimates?

Also I have Hagarty insurance. Is this worth making a claim?

Thanks everyone.

Chris

[Duke W.]

Re: C3 Rocker Cover Damage at Car Show

The correct term is "rocker panel molding" - even though Corvettes do not have rocker panels per se, although the base of the birdcage could be considered such.

A rocker panel is the bottom structural element between the front and rear wheels on steel unibody cars and some steel-body-on-perimeter-frame designs.

The rocker panel moldings on C2s cover the side rail of the steel ladder frame.

Rocker panels were often the first place that rust perforated the outer body back when cars had much poorer corrosion protection than today.

A lot of confusion is caused by insufficient information and vague or confusing terminology. I prefer to use GM engineering terminology or generic automotive engineering terminology to describe parts though sometimes GM terminology is different, and I avoid use of hotrod slang.

One that comes to mind is "swaybar". Cars do not "sway" in corners. They roll, but this does not mean roll over. The generic engineering term is "anti-roll bar", but GM calls them "Shaft, stabilizer", which is how you find them indexed in GM parts catalogs.

Duke

[John S.]

Re: C3 Rocker Cover Damage at Car Show

Chris,

You can get a reproduction rocker panel moulding from most Corvette suppliers. Dr. Rebuild has a passenger side for $165. NOS would run about $250, if you can find one.

[Tom R.]

Re: Price comparison

Chris:

I was fortunate enough to pick up a used set at Carlisle for a Pace Car that used nearly the same part as the 76...brushed aluminum. I also did some price comparison afterward as well as sizing up 78s vs 76s. the rocker moldings are not the same but ran several years like 75-77 or something like that. They changed in 78.

New ones were priced at $259...pretty close to what John quotes. I picked up a pair for $100 with 30k miles on them and nearly in excellent shape. That should give you a price range to work with if you elect to replace.

[Harmon C.]

Re: Price comparison

Chris
I made a luckey guess on the damaged part. I would think the damage may have happened by something in the road flying up and hitting the rocker panel molding on the way to or from the meet. If the damage is near the back that is where things usally hit it. Most car show visitors respect the cars but it only takes one jerk. One vendor at Carlisle had new repo sets for $200. Be glad you don't need a set with tabs as they are hard to find.
Lyle