Midyear window cranks

[John M.]

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Does anybody make a quality set of midyear window cranks? I got some from CA that were Tiwan imports and they fit like crap! The slots for the clip were cut in the wrong place, the slots were not even parallel with the face of the crank, and the bore was a loose fit on the splines of the shaft. The cranks left a gap between the door panel and were loose as a goose on the shaft. It was alomst impossible to remove the cranks with a crank clip tool since the slots do not line up with the back face of the crank like the original GM cranks do.

I notice in looking around, that nobody seems to sell a domestic crank anymore, and it appears that all cranks are imported. I would prefer 67 cranks, but will settle for 66 style cranks if the fit is good. I hate to just keep ordering cranks from every vendor hoping for a set that fits, so any input from those of you that have bought cranks would be appreciated. I see service replacement cranks for 67's with clear knobs everywhere, but I have never seen a matching set of vent window cranks. I suppose that it is not lkely that I will since cars after 67 did not use vent cranks, Any help would be appreciated. I need one set for my resto-mod and a set for a friend's 67 coupe that I am restoring. I would be looking for one set of white knob cranks and one set of blacks, or 2 sets of 66 style cranks.

Regards, John McGraw

[Joe L.]

Re: Midyear window cranks

John-----

As far as 1967+ window crank handles go, I have found the GM product to be the best out there. These handles have black knobs ONLY and are available under GM #20348200. They are NOT exact duplicates of the 1967 handle in every nuance of detail and certainly not color of knob for non-black interiors. However, they are the highest quality crank out there as far as I'm concerned. The last ones I bought were made in Canada or the US.

These cranks list for about 33 bucks/each, so they're not "cheapies".

[Joe L.]

Re: Midyear window cranks

John-----

As far as 1967+ window crank handles go, I have found the GM product to be the best out there. These handles have black knobs ONLY and are available under GM #20348200. They are NOT exact duplicates of the 1967 handle in every nuance of detail and certainly not color of knob for non-black interiors. However, they are the highest quality crank out there as far as I'm concerned. The last ones I bought were made in Canada or the US.

These cranks list for about 33 bucks/each, so they're not "cheapies".

[Joe L.]

Addendum

One other thing: the original window crank handles used a very poor design for the attachment of the knob to the crank arm. The knob had a simple "axle" that was peened to secure it to the arm. The "axle" bore on the hole in the arm, the "axle" wore, became difficult to rotate and, finally, broke. That's one of the reasons that it's hard to find a good used arm. The "axles" were a soft metal and were an EXTREMELY poor bearing material. All of the "reproduction" handles I've seen use this same design (maybe for "originality"). All of the "el cheapo" aftermarket replacements use this design, too.

The new GM handles have a much improved design for the knob-to-crank arm attachment. It doesn't look much different on first glance, but it is much different. It operates much more smoothly from the get-go than the old crank handles and it lasts a LOT longer. That may be why they cost 33 bucks; you usually get what you pay for.

[Joe L.]

Addendum

One other thing: the original window crank handles used a very poor design for the attachment of the knob to the crank arm. The knob had a simple "axle" that was peened to secure it to the arm. The "axle" bore on the hole in the arm, the "axle" wore, became difficult to rotate and, finally, broke. That's one of the reasons that it's hard to find a good used arm. The "axles" were a soft metal and were an EXTREMELY poor bearing material. All of the "reproduction" handles I've seen use this same design (maybe for "originality"). All of the "el cheapo" aftermarket replacements use this design, too.

The new GM handles have a much improved design for the knob-to-crank arm attachment. It doesn't look much different on first glance, but it is much different. It operates much more smoothly from the get-go than the old crank handles and it lasts a LOT longer. That may be why they cost 33 bucks; you usually get what you pay for.

[John M.]

Re: Addendum

Thanks Joe,

I have seen the GM replacement window cranks, but have never seen vent window cranks. Are they available as well? I am not that concerned in originality, as neither car that needs them is ever going anywhere near a judging field, but I do want a crank that fits well. Black knobs would be fine, I just have never seen a vent crank of the "new" design.

Regards, John McGraw

[John M.]

Re: Addendum

Thanks Joe,

I have seen the GM replacement window cranks, but have never seen vent window cranks. Are they available as well? I am not that concerned in originality, as neither car that needs them is ever going anywhere near a judging field, but I do want a crank that fits well. Black knobs would be fine, I just have never seen a vent crank of the "new" design.

Regards, John McGraw

[Joe L.]

Re: Addendum

John------

I'm afraid that the vent window cranks are not available from GM. They were discontinued over 25 years ago.

[Joe L.]

Re: Addendum

John------

I'm afraid that the vent window cranks are not available from GM. They were discontinued over 25 years ago.

[Joe L.]

Addendum to Addendum

One more thing that I thought of. IF you have a serviceable vent window crank arm, you can obtain a new knob and "axle" assembly from Dorman/Motormite (Help! carded section of your local auto parts store). Of course, these have the original style "axle" and they probably won't be really long-lived. But, for the amount these cars usually get used and the amount that folks open the vent windows, they might be ok. You can get these knobs in black or clear. The clear ones can be dyed other colors. So, if your only problem is a broken-off knob, that can be dealt with this way.

[Joe L.]

Addendum to Addendum

One more thing that I thought of. IF you have a serviceable vent window crank arm, you can obtain a new knob and "axle" assembly from Dorman/Motormite (Help! carded section of your local auto parts store). Of course, these have the original style "axle" and they probably won't be really long-lived. But, for the amount these cars usually get used and the amount that folks open the vent windows, they might be ok. You can get these knobs in black or clear. The clear ones can be dyed other colors. So, if your only problem is a broken-off knob, that can be dealt with this way.

[Joe L.]

One More Thing

John-----

Also, the window crank handles, both ventilator and side glass, used for 1967 passenger cars were the same as those used for Corvettes EXCEPT for colors. In other words, the BLACK knob handles were the same for Corvette and passenger car; the colored knob handles were obviously different due to different colors. Actually, some passenger cars used colored-knob handles, too, but the colors were different than Corvette.

[Joe L.]

One More Thing

John-----

Also, the window crank handles, both ventilator and side glass, used for 1967 passenger cars were the same as those used for Corvettes EXCEPT for colors. In other words, the BLACK knob handles were the same for Corvette and passenger car; the colored knob handles were obviously different due to different colors. Actually, some passenger cars used colored-knob handles, too, but the colors were different than Corvette.

[John M.]

Re: One More Thing

Thanks Joe,

I will probably just buy some more cranks and hopefully. I will eventually find some that will actually fit!

Regards, John McGraw

[John M.]

Re: One More Thing

Thanks Joe,

I will probably just buy some more cranks and hopefully. I will eventually find some that will actually fit!

Regards, John McGraw