DOA: Corvette Repro�s (or soon thereafter)

[Richard M.]

Rich------

Just another example of what happens when non-factory type tooling is used to manufacture parts.

Joe, Imagine how many times I say those words.

I was going to buy new door panels for my 57 too a while back. Mine are not a disaster, but they could be better. I saw the $1200 price tag, and said no. Glad I did, as I probably would be swearing at them like you are.

-Dan-

What, Me swear? Naaa

So I said I was going in for dinner. That didn't happen then. I walked by that panel, picked it up and decided I'm not going to eat or sleep until I fix it. So I fixed it.

Don't laugh.......I used a tongue depressor to fix it. It took a few attempts, but I took out my Dremel and made 2 filler pieces and glued them in to fill the gap in the backer board to give the bezel tabs something to grab onto. I had a sore neck later as I was shaking my head horizontally back and forth while I was doing this. I did both panels. All fixed, good and tight, and right side back on the door. The bezel doesn't flop around any more when you pull on the knob.

I ate dinner around 9, fell asleep on the couch, and now can't wait to get out there and fix the next reproduction parts malady.

Rich
PS Suppliers don't realize something else. These inferior reproduction parts also cause another problem........Angry Wives!

[Dan D.]

[Richard M.]

Oh Rich,

You should have taken your wifee out to dinner, had a couple of drinks, and then came home and peed all over those panels!

Just kidding, you are a master at fixing other peoples junk. But I will say this - those panels do look nice. Its just that you should not have had to pay $1200 for them, and then have to fix them too.

Maybe I should do the same thing, they look a lot nicer than mine do.

-Dan-

Dan, LOL....

Hopefully the vendor that supplied them has fixed these problems as these were in a box which was purchased about 5 years ago.

You can call them and ask about '57 panel quality and ask around here.

Rich

[William F.]

[Richard G.]

[Thomas H.]

IMG_0767.jpg

Original - has enough clearance
IMG_0763.jpg

Ground down original for clearance
IMG_0769.jpg

Tom

[Joe L.]

[Joe L.]

[Richard M.]

Here's another one........
Put a reproduction 4spd shifter into my 58..........
Tom

Tom, As I sit here shaking my head again, just another PITA when working with these parts. Thank you for that heads-up as later today I will be mating a '61 engine to 4 speed T10 transmission, along with a reproduction shifter. I get the linkage adjustments set while it's all free, then remove the shifter for engine assembly installation into the car.

With your experience, I will now test the shifter in a bench vice before I mount it. I'll report back with results. If I have trouble, we should contact the vendors we bought them from and report it. You and I were a good team when we had that wrinkly C1 windshield rubber issue and worked with Mike at CRC to fix it. We may need to team up again on this shifter stuff.

How about a differential gasket that doesn't fit (a 63 Corvette) no mater how its flipped or turned. This gasket was made IN the USA. Vendor checked it 3 times, catalog says it fits. Pictured below;

sorry for the upside down image.
Rick

Richard, I used that same gasket not long ago on a 1967 differential and the (two) extensions point down at 4 & 8 o'clock. You can trim both extensions(your pic only shows one), before or after installation.

Here's the NAPA gasket. Their application list says 1964 to 1982 Corvette, but it's a typo as it should include 1963. The list also shows for 1970 to 1979 Excalibur Phaeton(Corvette based custom body), so it's possible that those had a unique carrier cover for some reason, maybe suspension related.


PS Fixed your photos for you too.....Rich

[Dan D.]

[Ken A.]

[QUOTE=Geoff Coenen (2473);799252]

[Bill W.]

[John S.]

Rich, I am currently in the middle of an in-depth evaluation of 56 - 57 headlight switches. Both original, NOS, and repro. I need a couple of weeks yet to complete what I am doing, but I guarantee the results are going to amaze you. I will post a complete report as soon as I finish.

-Dan-

hopefully you will explain the changes made between the 061, 072 and 082 switches. I was wondering why they felt they needed to add the fuse on the 072. Also, how does a 072 differ from the later 082?

[Dan D.]

[Thomas H.]

Guys,
Everything you have said about the named repro parts is true, BUT there are a few good ones out there. Look at Tom DeWitt's radiators for example. While we all cuss the repro stuff in many cases these are the only parts available to keep our cars on the road.

How true. I put Dewitts radiators in three of my four cars. Fit, finish and performance second to none. Whenever my next "project" rolls along if it needs a radiator you can be sure a Dewitts will go in.

Tom