Replacement Jack for C2

[Jeff Debs]

I searched with no luck at Carlisle for a jack for my '63.
I've been carrying around a $25.00 scissors jack which I picked up from Pep Boys in the event I need to change a tire. This jack is too long to fit into the storage well, otherwise I'd keep it. My car, although it looks original as well to the novice, as well as being freshly restored and super clean, is not # matching, so I really don't care what kind of jack I carry, as long as it will handle the load at hand and is a scissors type.

I've seen over the years jacks from imported cars such as Honda and Toyota that were scissor-type and they worked very easily and well. Does anyone know if there is a relatively inexpensive Corvette scissors type jack that is both 13 1/2 to 14" long (to fit in the well) as well as one that has a suitable "pad" that will allow the width of the frame seat properly, and here is the main thing,....and at a price way below the currently available repo of $200.00?

Thanks,
JD

[Joe L.]

Re: Replacement Jack for C2

Jeff----

Most of the Corvette jacks have "restoration value" which drives up their price beyond that of new, functional replacements. So, if you're just after a functional piece of high quality that fits in the jack compartment, I'd recommend going with a new GM replacement unit. These are not inexpensive; nothing of high quality will be. Here's what you need:

GM #14016051-------JACK, scissors type

GM #10212404-------WRENCH, jack and wheel

The jack currently GM lists for $132.63 and the wrench lists for $23.70. You should be able to purchase them for about $100 and $18, respectively.

[Christopher R.]

Re: Replacement Jack for C2

See

http://www.jackxchange.com/catalog/product-detail.cfm?modelnumber=82002A

This is the NORCO 82002A jack. It'll fit inside your spare wheel. It costs $16.95. It looks just like the AUSCO one that was OEM for C1s. AUSCO sold their jack business to NORCO. Hmmm.

[Jeff Debs]

Re: Replacement Jack for C2

Joe,..incredibly helpful and great/fast information!
I'm going to buy those items,..thank you so much!
Take Care,
JD

[G B.]

Go slow

Unless GM has revised the service jack recently, it won't fit in a mid-year jack compartment.

I carry my "Canadian Special" in a cardboard box in the carpeted rear luggage area. It will fit there.

[Joe L.]

Re: Go slow

Jerry and Jeff-----

That's good information. As far as I know, the GM jack that I mentioned has been the same for about 20 years. It's supposed to fit in the storage compartment since it's the SERVICE part catalogued for the application. However, that does not mean that it actually DOES fit. Empirical evidence is always the best; if you tried one and it definitely doesn't fit, then I'd be wary of purchasing one. Carrying the jack in the back of the car in a box should not be a "compromise" that one has to make in order to use a GM-catalogued SERVICE replacement part.

[G B.]

I don't know a perfect replacement jack

The "exact" reproduction mid-year jacks I've bought were clearly labeled: DO NOT USE FOR JACKING CAR! They were designed for display only, I guess.

The GM replacement jacks I've bought have all been a service design made in Canada. They are too long to fit in the mid-year wells under the jack cover.

The auto parts store scissor jacks I've tried have a wide base that sticks up too high for the cover to fit properly.

I think Joe's advice to get a GM service jack is fine. I don't trust the reproduction or the cheap auto parts store version to safely support an expensive Corvette. Or an inexpensive one either.

[Patrick H.]

Re: I don't know a perfect replacement jack

Jerry,

According to a well known reproduction parts firm, who might even be the one contracting to have the reproduction jacks made, their Legal Eagles make them put that "do not use" sticker on the jack. It is just as useful as the originals and just as strong, but...welcome to America in the 21st Century. Saying that using a jack is dangerous is sort of like McDonald's now needing to put a warning on their coffee to say that it's hot. No, really?

Sorry I missed seeing you at Carlisle.

Patrick

[Eric H.]

What a deal!!

Chris -

16.95 for a scissor jack that will fit in the C2 tool well? From the above posts, I think this company might experience a run on these jacks. I surely wouldn't want to keep a jack in a box in the back of my car.

Thanks for the info.

Ric

[Joe L.]

Re: What a deal!!

Ric-----

Yes, it might very well be a great deal. However, my experience has been that scissors-type jacks in this price range turn out to be unsatisfactory. The ones that I've seen (and, unfortunately, purchased) were of "foreign" manufacture (and, I don't mean Germany). Many "foreign" manufactured tools as of late really aren't all that bad; some are actually quite good. However, that doesn't include the scissors type jacks I've seen and "own". Very crude pieces, indeed.

However, I'm very interested in this jack. I might even purchase one to find out what it's like if no one else can provide the information on it. My 2 concerns are:

1) Is this a high quality jack of US or Canadian manufacture?

2) Will it actually fit in a C2 or C3 jack storage compartment?

[G B.]

The kicker

Wait until you try to get the hold-down spring over that wide baseplate and then put the well cover in place. There is a reason the original jack base was shaped like a bow tie.

But don't let me spoil the thrill of acquisition for you. You can always throw the thing at a cat.

[Donald O.]

Re: Replacement Jack for C2

Jeff,
According to John Amgwert, he authored an article for the Restorer (forgot the date) and he said that a Mustang jack is very close in size and function. There were also articles in/by
Joe Ray - Winter 1985 Volume 10, #3
Bob Conners - Summer 1983 Volume 10, #1

Hope this helps.

Don

[Ralph E.]

Re: Replacement Jack for C2

If you want a jack that will fit the compartment and look near original check out Volunteer Vette Products. They have a working jack for $29

[Christopher R.]

Re: What a deal!!

I bought one. Looks like a quality piece. Appears to be pretty much the same as the original C1 jack. I think it's made in China, but some are made in the US. May be the difference in the "A" and "B" suffixes in the part number.

What I find interesting in this is that the jack looks very much like the orignal C1 jack. That jack was made by AUSCO. AUSCO sold their jack business to NORCO, who makes this jack. Scissors jack technology doesn't change much. Not a big market. Doesn't require lots of R & D. If you were NORCO, would you redesign a perfectly good jack you got from AUSCO? I wonder if this jack is the same as the C1 jack? I've got to look at mine more closely.

Coincidentally, I've also got a '65-'67 Mustang jack. It is close, except for the top and the handle. It will fit inside the spare wheel for storage. Those jacks are going for $75 on EBay.

[Christopher R.]

Re: What a deal!!

Just rechecked. It's made in the USA.

Go to norcoindustries.com and look up mechanical jacks to see a picture.