Here's another "out there" question

[Chuck R.]

Well I was kind of impressed with the creativity of Bubba's cobb job repairs that he did to my donor body but to date, this one leads the pack.

Where the dash panel air outlets make up to the fire wall (page H56 in the AIM), my driver's side unit was M.I.A. and in it's place, was a 1-1/2" sweep ninty degree PVC elbow siliconed in place. You just have to love Bubba..

Fortunately, my old body had two good outlets but the straps listed as item #5 on page H56 are toast. Am I relegated to fabbing up replacement straps or has anyone run accross replacement straps?

All I need to know is if they ARE or ARE NOT available. If they are, I'll ferrit them out. If not, I'm sure that I can BS a strap assembly.

Any input is appreciated,

Chuck

[Joe L.]

Re: Here's another "out there" question

Well I was kind of impressed with the creativity of Bubba's cobb job repairs that he did to my donor body but to date, this one leads the pack.

Where the dash panel air outlets make up to the fire wall (page H56 in the AIM), my driver's side unit was M.I.A. and in it's place, was a 1-1/2" sweep ninty degree PVC elbow siliconed in place. You just have to love Bubba..

Fortunately, my old body had two good outlets but the straps listed as item #5 on page H56 are toast. Am I relegated to fabbing up replacement straps or has anyone run accross replacement straps?

All I need to know is if they ARE or ARE NOT available. If they are, I'll ferrit them out. If not, I'm sure that I can BS a strap assembly.

Any input is appreciated,

Chuck

Chuck-----


The straps, GM #3925701, left side, and 3925702, right side, were discontinued in, respectively, January, 1988 and September, 1987. I know of no reproductions. However, these pieces were used for non AC Corvettes from 1968 through 1979 so that represents a pretty good "crop" of potential donor cars.

[Chuck R.]

Re: Here's another "out there" question

That figures....

It's not the end of the world to create a new strap, It's just one more thing to slow down the rebuild process.

Wifey's car has been relegated to the driveway for almost a month now and I can feel the sands of pateince running low. Guess I'd better get off the puter and get back to it!

Thanks again Joe,

Chuck

[Joe L.]

Re: Here's another "out there" question

That figures....

It's not the end of the world to create a new strap, It's just one more thing to slow down the rebuild process.

Wifey's car has been relegated to the driveway for almost a month now and I can feel the sands of pateince running low. Guess I'd better get off the puter and get back to it!

Thanks again Joe,

Chuck

Chuck-----

I don't think I'd bother with trying to fabricate new straps. First, I'd try calling a used parts source like Pacific Corvette in Puyallup, WA. They catalog and inventory all of their used parts by GM part number. So, just call them and see if they have the part numbers I mentioned in stock. I wouldn't think this sort of part would be a "hot seller", so I'd think there's a good chance they'd have them.

I think the web-site is www.pacvette.com

[Chuck R.]

Re: Well it wasn't as bad an ordeal as I had envisioned

I was fortunate that I still had 90% of the original strap intact to use as a pattern.

Total cost for materials = $1.00 for pop rivets.

I was driving through my local hardware store lot and noticed a pallet with the metal band straps on the ground next to it. They were happy to lose it

A quick trim with the tin snips gave me the 5/8" width and a cut to 11" length and I had my donor material.

I fortunately was able to reuse the small stud that holds the duct slides over at the end that receives the wing nut.

Might be worthy of a "quick fix article.

Thanks for your input Joe,

Chuck

[Joe R.]

Re: Here's another "out there" question

Chuck,

You are the "mother of invention". I love it when owners take the responsibity to fabricate something worthwhile!

Bubba on the other hand was not much of a craftsman.

JR

[Dave F.]

Re: Well it wasn't as bad an ordeal as I had envisioned

I was fortunate that I still had 90% of the original strap intact to use as a pattern.

Total cost for materials = $1.00 for pop rivets.

I was driving through my local hardware store lot and noticed a pallet with the metal band straps on the ground next to it. They were happy to lose it

A quick trim with the tin snips gave me the 5/8" width and a cut to 11" length and I had my donor material.

I fortunately was able to reuse the small stud that holds the duct slides over at the end that receives the wing nut.

Might be worthy of a "quick fix article.

Thanks for your input Joe,

Chuck

Chuck, you have the soul of a great farmer!

[Chuck R.]

Re: Been called a "Mother" more than once Joe

But Mother of Invention?............. ahh.......... no, but thanks for the compliment anyway Joe.

"Creativity" in my garage is born from four things
#1 A low to very low budget
#2 Being a one man operation
#3 A keep going until you either fix it or destroy it mentality.
#4 My dad instilling in me the "don't give up" attitude.

#3 and #4 usually gets me in all kinds of trouble. Just ask the fine folks at Dock Rebuild, Zip, Paragon, Corvette America, Bairs and of course the hundreds of vendors at Carlisle

Chuckster