63 soft top rear deck lock

[Michael G.]

The attached pic is of two different soft top rear deck locks. The left one is from my November car, the latter from my April car. Does anyone one know when the change to the bigger part was made?

Thanks,

[Michael G.]

Re: 63 soft top rear deck lock

These two 63 parts differ in length by .25", but are otherwise the same. The later part is 4.56 long, the early part 4.31. Is anyone aware of this change?

[Michael G.]

Re: 63 soft top rear deck lock

Ok, I can't believe nobody knows about this. Early 63's were weird, but somebody's gotta know. Anybody?

[Loren L.]

Re: 63 soft top rear deck lock

Part # on either piece?

[David L.]

Re: 63 soft top rear deck lock

Mike,

The 1963 AIM lists GM # 3838257 for the lock asm. and GM # 3838259 for the gasket (Sect. 1, sheet B15.00, rel. 3-6-62, revised 5-28-63. The same part numbers are in my my 1966 AIM.

However, my 1963 Chevrolet Parts Catalog (Oct. 1962) lists GM # 3820404 as the lock asm. w/ gasket # 3820534 for the 1963 Corvette. My 1964 Chevrolet Parts Catalog (Oct. 1963) lists GM # 3838257 as the lock asm. w/gasket # 3838259 for the 1964 Corvette.

GM # 3820404 was replaced with GM # 3838257 in August 1963 and GM # 3820534 was replaced with GM # 3838259 in July 1963 for the sale of over the counter parts as per Chevrolet Parts History.

Apparently "early" 1963 Corvettes used the 3820404 lock asm. with the 3820534 gasket. Who knows when the change was actually made on the assembly line but it was probably sometime between Nov. 1962 and April 1963. Most restored 1963 Corvettes probably have NOS 3838257 lock assemblies (or unfortunately even reproductions). I doubt that most 1963 Corvette owners are aware of this change. I just found out tonight. Thanks for the thread, Mike. I learn something new every day.

I once own an "early" 1963 Corvette (VIN # 1450) in the 1980's but it was a split window coupe.

Dave

[Michael G.]

Re: 63 soft top rear deck lock

David, Thanks very much for your investigation into this. The shorter part (3830404?, pic below) does not have a part number on it.

lock back.jpg


To muddy the waters, I have a 63 repro here with 3838258 cast into the back. My April car is 250 mile away, so, unfortunately, I can't look at the numbers on it's original lock to see if it is, in fact 3838257. It might me that the casting was 3838258 and the assembly was 3838257

This would probably be a nice survey to take, just to see when the change happened, as its pretty easy to measure the length differences between the two types in installed position.

[Michael G.]

Re: 63 soft top rear deck lock

David, Thanks vey much for your investigation into this. The shorter part (3830404?, pic below) does not have a part number on it.

lock back.jpg


To muddy the waters, I have a 63 repro here with 3838258 cast into the back (lets ignore that). My April car is 250 mile away, so, unfortunately, I can't look at the numbers on it's original lock to see if it is, in fact 3838257.

This would probably be a nice survey to take, just to see when the change happened, as its pretty easy to measure the length differences between the two types in installed position.

[Edward J.]

Re: 63 soft top rear deck lock

Mike, I wonder if the strikers were the same? I think my 63 March car has the bigger latches.I don't have Nolans book but would bet the latches are listed when the change over date was. Maybe David has a part no. for the latch.

[Jeff Z.]

Re: 63 soft top rear deck lock

Mike,

Here is what I had off April car. 3838257 with NO part number. Also had a spare set from a 65 that had casting # 3838258.

Jeff

[David L.]

Re: 63 soft top rear deck lock

David, Thanks very much for your investigation into this. The shorter part (3830404?, pic below) does not have a part number on it.

[ATTACH=CONFIG]37038[/ATTACH]


To muddy the waters, I have a 63 repro here with 3838258 cast into the back. My April car is 250 mile away, so, unfortunately, I can't look at the numbers on it's original lock to see if it is, in fact 3838257. It might me that the casting was 3838258 and the assembly was 3838257

This would probably be a nice survey to take, just to see when the change happened, as its pretty easy to measure the length differences between the two types in installed position.

Mike,

Generally, the casting number differs from the GM part number by one or two digits, however, I have seen small parts and bellhousings where the casting number is the same as the GM part number.

Examples:
69-70 Camaro 12-bolt axle flange
casting # is "4394"
GM part number is 3954393

70-72 Chevelle 12-bolt axle flange w/HD u-jt.
casting # is "9210"
GM part number is 3879208

Dave

[David L.]

Re: 63 soft top rear deck lock

Mike, I wonder if the strikers were the same? I think my 63 March car has the bigger latches.I don't have Nolans book but would bet the latches are listed when the change over date was. Maybe David has a part no. for the latch.

According to N. Adam's 63-67 restoration book:

"Two different rear hold-down locks were used on 1963 Corvette. The first was part number 3820404, which was supposed to have been replaced with 3838257 on AIM date 10-5-62, about the time serial number 10100 (1,000) was assembled. But the new parts were still being designed on that date, and thus could have reached the assembly plant until months later."

"the last to report the small base was 30867S108248"

"the earliest to report the large base was 30867S108438"

The 63 AIM lists the pin as GM # 3822945 (LH) and GM # 3822946 (RH), same numbers in my Chev. Parts Catalogs (Oct. 62, Oct. 68).

Dave

[Michael G.]

Re: 63 soft top rear deck lock

David, I never noticed that particular page in Noland's book. Now that I know the small ones are correct, I've taken them apart for re-plating. That's a bit tricky, as getting the spring out takes at least three hands...


DSC00859.jpg