1968 GAS LID SPRING?

[GLEN RITZ]

My '68 gas lid is very loose and does not stay open when lifted to fuel up. Was there a spring that goes with the hinge attatchment to put a positive load on the lid when open or shut? I have a spring that is a GM part#3977836 but couldn't find it in the assembly manual. Thanks again....

Glen NCRS#36986

[Joe L.]

Re: 1968 GAS LID SPRING?

Glenn-----

The spring that you have is the 71+ style spring; it will not work on a 68-70 Corvette gas door bezel. The 68-70 bezel used a spring which was affixed to the bezel by integral, peened-over "rivets" which were actually part of the bezel, itself. The spring was a black-phosphate finished "clip" type spring which engaged the shank of the hinge when the door was fully open.

This design was VERY problematic. The spring often broke off when the integral-to-the-bezel rivets were stressed due to the effort necessary to disengage the hinge from the spring clip. In the 68-70 bezel design, the door is held open by the spring clip described and held closed by the opposing, spring loaded "tangs" which engage the bracket riveted to the door. There is no "spring action" between the open and closed position which is similar to the arrangement used on 63-67 fuel doors.

You can change the entire bezel assembly to the 71+ style which is a MUCH better design. By notching the bezel in the front to clear the bracket riveted to the 68-70 door (or by removing the bracket which I don't recommend if you ever want to restore the original design), you can continue to use your existing door.

The 68-70 spring was never available as a seperate part and, as far as I know, is not available in reproduction as a seperate part.

All of the parts of the 71+ fuel door assembly, except the spring you have, are GM discontinued. However, they are available in reproduction. The 68-70 style bezel is also available in reproduction, I believe, but only as an assembly.

[Roberto L.]

Re: 1968 GAS LID SPRING?

Good post. In my 70 the clip is missing, I'm usually ready for the photo in the gas station holding the cap... your post gives some light, and this seems to be a difficult and small part to repair. First problem is I don't know how it is really, and don't want to upgrade to the 71+ system. I wonder if somebody has a pic of the original clip.

Any way thanks for the info, Roberto, NCRS #30019, RMC

[Roberto L.]

Re: 1968 GAS LID SPRING?

Good post. In my 70 the clip is missing, I'm usually ready for the photo in the gas station holding the cap... your post gives some light, and this seems to be a difficult and small part to repair. First problem is I don't know how it is really, and don't want to upgrade to the 71+ system. I wonder if somebody has a pic of the original clip.

Any way thanks for the info, Roberto, NCRS #30019, RMC

[Joe L.]

Re: 1968 GAS LID SPRING?

Roberto-----

It's a little hard to describe the clip. However, it's a spring steel clip which is black phospahte finished. It's about 3/16" longer than the width of the hinge shank and about 1/2" wide. It has little "tangs" on either end which grip the hinge shank and hold it in the up position. Also, it has 2 holes in it for the rivets.

For reattaching the spring clip (once one obtains an example of one), I recommend drilling and tapping the bezel for short, 10-32 machine screws. This repair will not be visible and will be permanent.

However, I offer one caution: the 68-70 style bezel and hinge assembly is inherently hard on the rear deck and the rear deck paint. That's because every time one engages the spring catch, disengages the spring catch, or pulls the lid up from the hold-down spring catch, stress is placed on the rear deck fiberglass. Ever see stress cracks above or below the fuel door on 68-70 Corvettes? This is the reason. That's why I converted mine to the 71+ style years ago. It's "incorrect", but I can always return it to the correct style in about 5 minutes, if I wish to (I have 2 or 3 NOS 68-70 bezels [none for sale] in the collection for just such an eventuality, albeit an EXTREMELY UNLIKELY eventuality). The key thing in the re-conversion is to "notch" the 71+ style bezel for the hold-down bracket on the door of the 68-70 fuel door lid. With the 71+ style bezel, the bracket is unused. However, if you remove it, then it will be impossible to re-convert using the original door. If you leave it, re-conversion is, as I say, about a 5 minute process.

[Joe L.]

Re: 1968 GAS LID SPRING?

Roberto-----

It's a little hard to describe the clip. However, it's a spring steel clip which is black phospahte finished. It's about 3/16" longer than the width of the hinge shank and about 1/2" wide. It has little "tangs" on either end which grip the hinge shank and hold it in the up position. Also, it has 2 holes in it for the rivets.

For reattaching the spring clip (once one obtains an example of one), I recommend drilling and tapping the bezel for short, 10-32 machine screws. This repair will not be visible and will be permanent.

However, I offer one caution: the 68-70 style bezel and hinge assembly is inherently hard on the rear deck and the rear deck paint. That's because every time one engages the spring catch, disengages the spring catch, or pulls the lid up from the hold-down spring catch, stress is placed on the rear deck fiberglass. Ever see stress cracks above or below the fuel door on 68-70 Corvettes? This is the reason. That's why I converted mine to the 71+ style years ago. It's "incorrect", but I can always return it to the correct style in about 5 minutes, if I wish to (I have 2 or 3 NOS 68-70 bezels [none for sale] in the collection for just such an eventuality, albeit an EXTREMELY UNLIKELY eventuality). The key thing in the re-conversion is to "notch" the 71+ style bezel for the hold-down bracket on the door of the 68-70 fuel door lid. With the 71+ style bezel, the bracket is unused. However, if you remove it, then it will be impossible to re-convert using the original door. If you leave it, re-conversion is, as I say, about a 5 minute process.

[Roberto L.]

Thanks Joe! *NM*

[Roberto L.]

Thanks Joe! *NM*

[GLEN RITZ]

Re: 1968 GAS LID SPRING?

Thank you Joe, you've been a great help as always.....

[GLEN RITZ]

Re: 1968 GAS LID SPRING?

Thank you Joe, you've been a great help as always.....