68 Tailpipe Bezel Screws

[Kurt B.]

Regarding the chrome bezels that fit on the rear (left & right) of 1968 Corvettes where the tailpipes exit the body: What are the CORRECT screws for attaching these chrome bezels?
Are they chrome, black oxide, steel, or zinc AND who sells them?
Thank you in advance,
Kurt # 26406

[Joe L.]

Re: 68 Tailpipe Bezel Screws

Kurt-----

The screws were size 8-18 X 5/8" and they were CHROME plated.

Where do you get them? Well, one source is GM. They're still available under the original part number of GM #9416444. They currently list for $3.88 each.

[Geoff C.]

That is certainly an exceptional value

3.88 x 8 = 31.04
and no doubt worth every penney - all 3104 of them

[Gregory G.]

Re: That is certainly an exceptional value

Joe,

Are they the same part # for 70-72 bezels?

Greg

[Kurt B.]

Re: That is certainly an exceptional value

Doctor,
Is this something you would have in the halls of Bridgeport?
If "yes", could I get a part number to make life easier for Deb?
Thanks in advance,
Kurt Bunting

[Kurt B.]

Thank You , Joe *NM*

[Geoff C.]

Re: That is certainly an exceptional value

Kurt,

We discontinued many sizes of Chrome trim screws and instead use stainless. They pass all critical parameters but a camel judge with a magnetic hump.

Geoffrey Coenen

PS I believe 70-72 are the same size and spec.

[Joe L.]

Re: That is certainly an exceptional value

Geoffrey-----

Oh, yes! GM has gotten "pricey" on most of their fastners. At least, they've gotten "pricey" on most of the ones that you can still get from them. Which is not very many if what you need is a standard, US size fastner. But, of the ones that you can still get, they make sure that you REALLY want them. They are extremely proud of these things.

I think that what happened is that some "executive" must have decided that it just wasn't worthwhile selling "nickel-and-dime" type parts. At least, they figured that it wasn't worth selling "nickel-and-dime" type parts for NICKELS AND DIMES. It's probably very justified, though. In a system like GMSPO operates, it probably costs a lot more to fill an order than, even at the current prices, they get for items like these.

I use ONLY stainless for the exhaust bezels. That goes for the bezels, themselves, as well as the screws. The stock-type, chromed zinc diecast bezels just do not hold up well in this application. They rapidly get unsightly "blisters". I hate these. So, as I've said many times before, when it comes to functionality versus originality, I usually go with functionality. Besides, I LOVE stainless. I like stainless better than gold. So, one of these days you might even see me walking around with stainless chains around my neck and stainless bracelets on my wrist. I doubt it, but you MIGHT see that. What you'll NEVER see is me walking around with GOLD chains around my neck and gold bracelets on my wrist. That you'll NEVER, EVER see. Period.

[Joe L.]

Re: That is certainly an exceptional value

Greg-----

According to GM, 1970-72 Corvettes used screw GM #4816192. I haven't been able to find out very much about this screw. It was once available in SERVICE, but it was discontinued quite a few years ago. All I've been able to find out is that it was primarily used for some door side glass application on trucks.

Incidentally, according to GM, 1973 Corvettes used a different screw for the bezels. That screw was GM #9422957 and it was a PAN HEAD, 8-18 X 7/8" chrome screw. It's discontinued now, though. It seems strange to me that a pan head screw would have been used. Anyone have a 1973 with original screws on the bezels?

[Harmon C.]

Re: That is certainly an exceptional value

Joe

1973's did use a pan head phillips on the bezels.

Lyle

[Geoff C.]

I know your type

stainless chains, Gucci loafters, bottled water

[Kurt B.]

Re: That is certainly an exceptional value

Thanks Geoff,
I was out of town and just received the reply. I will order the stainless steel screws as suggested.
Kurt