C3 tire tub...fix it or junk it?

[Greg L.]

What do you guys think of my tire tub? For a possible future top flight car is this thing worth fixing or should I look for a good replacement? If I go the replacment route which years do I have to look at to get the proper color and texture of fiberglass?



Thanks,

Greg Linton
#45455

[Joe L.]

Re: C3 tire tub...fix it or junk it?

Greg----

I'd look for another one. These things just aren't that hard to find. A LOT of Corvettes have been wrecked over the years and, thus, contributed their spare tire carriers to the used market. I've seen vendors at Carlisle with STACKS of these things, nested inside of one another. Early C3 tubs are somewhat darker gray than later, but all the "shades" are out there. Just take a piece of yours (from the hole area) and match it up with a good used one.

Keep in mind that there were 3 different strap supports used over the 68-82 period. However, I would defy anyone to tell them apart.

[Kent K.]

Re: C3 tire tub...fix it or junk it?

How'd you do that, Greg? It must have been the result of hitting somethong many times, but what?
Kent

[Verle R.]

Re: C3 tire tub...fix it or junk it?

Greg,

You MUST stop hitting those dips at 100+ MPH

I agree with Joe, find a good one. Any repairs would be easily detectable.

Verle

[Gerard Q.]

If this helps

a pic of the tire carrier on my 71

[Loren L.]

Last Driveline - look for the Scott Sinclair

ad - Under Services??? - and contact him.

[Terry F.]

Re: C3 tire tub...fix it or junk it?

It's easily fixible but I wouldn't do it unless you are familiar with doing that sort of thing. As a driver though, I would fix it. Good used ones are around but can be expensive.

Cut the opening out to good glass and then bond in a donor piece from some scrap panels. Use some original formula adhesive, maybe some random mat. Feather the edges with a random orbital and away you go. Drill a drain hole. Can be done.

Shipping them is expensive and they can get damaged in shipping. Best to pick one up at a swap meet.

Good luck, Terry

[Greg L.]

Re: C3 tire tub...fix it or junk it?

Thanks guys. I think I'll lean towards finding a good used one because I just can't see myself making a seamless repair without spending a week to do it! I'm going to try and make it to the Winter Regional meet in Jan again so maybe I'll get lucky.

[John H.]

Re: C3 tire tub...fix it or junk it?

Greg, I agree to buy one. You might ask a fellow NCRS club member who attends
that regional what vendors usually also attend. Contact the vendor and discuss
with them a carrier price and hook up with them at the regional where the
vendor will bring the carrier with him.
My carrier (original owner) 1972 has a decal on it. I don't recall it's
name from memory but I will look at it in Waco on Oct.26. If you e-mail
that following Monday I can explain all it's markings.
Big John

[James B.]

Re: C3 tire tub...fix it or junk it?

On my '72, it also has a sticker on the tire tub. I seem to recall that it indicated "Rockwell".

-Jim