'62 questions ..

[Rob Fearon]

I'll keep it short ...

1/ The spare tire bolt ... is it the exact same one used '53-'62 ? Did it change with the mid-years? The judging manual for 61/62 calls it a hex-head, cadmium plated.

2/ Rocker moldings ... the judging manual references that below s/n 6000 have no flat-black paint seperating the ribs. Nolan's book says above s/n 3000 has the paint .... I would love to know if there are any updates to the published info.

Tks in advance. Rob

[Bill Clupper]

Re: '62 questions ..

New '62 Judging manual states approx #6000 for start of paint .with random mix to S/n 8000. With all due respect to Nolands book, the judging manual is based on observations of a lot more unrestored cars over the last 15 years or so. Bolt description is" Cad plated, no markings". It is not the same as '63 up.

[Edward L.]

Re: '62 questions ..

Bill:

I haven't had the opportunity to review the new 61-62 manual. However, I disagree with the statement that the spare tire bolt has no head marking. I recently purchased a very original '62 ( a very late car ) from an owner who had the car for the last 30 years. The bolt has a large U headmark.

[Dale Pearman]

LOOSEN UP ROB!

The spare tire hold down bolt for a 62 isn't the same as mid years. Screw the judging manual! They were ZINC plated and a "U" is perfectly O.K. In fact, any bolt marking of the era, i.e., "E", "UR", "T", etc. would elicit a "HEY look at this one" from me! We are making a BIG misteak in NCRS by being so rigid! Use common sense! If you see a "PR" on the TRIMMED CAP SCREW head then that one's from Paragon Reproductions!

What we understand as "dished hex head" is, in the fastener industry, called an UNTRIMMED hex head. The smooth top is called a TRIMMED hex head. Any "bolt" that dosen't use a nut is called a cap screw regardless of size. For example the fasteners that hold the cylinder heads to the block are CAP SCREWS.

A few years ago John Neas & me were concerned big time about how things were plated. He sent a bunch of stuff to American Testing Labratories to see if it was zinc or cad. Cad was a VERY dangerous process so most of the stuff sent to GM by the many vendors was ZINC unless GM acceptance specs called for Cad only! The Engineering Books for fasteners, which I have, usually call for ZINC or CAD. Cad isn't as durable around gasoline as is zinc.

Bunky Knudsen went to a car show on Sunday and issued a design change request on Monday with respect to the rocker moldings. Who in hell can say exactly when the black paint was added to the rocker moildings? The drawing revision dates are always meaningless! Inventory management at St.Louis is a well kept secret if in fact there was any management! All we know is that AROUND S/N 3000 some were seen and as late as S/N 6000 one was seen. I'd hate to be the judge that takes a point off for anything in between! Hope this BS helps!

Reverend Varooom!

[grr]

Re: Parts getting short. Or I'm getting ripped.

Hey Dale, I told you I'm getting short on my restoration of my 67 coupe. I'm noticing a trend. Seems some corvette parts will soon be gone, Or I'm being BS'ed of parts availability when I try order them. I haven't tried any salvage yards, but don't really want to for special parts. I've used most Eckler's,Zip,Chicago,Mid,Hemmings,Long Island to Dr. Rebuild and so on.

Also when the part is hard to get or "NO LONGER AVAILABLE" the price doubles/triples in some cases when you find it from a parts house. I guess this makes sense why so many people are paying such high prices for some corvettes.

I've noticed things like the stn/stl door outer trim pc. w/rubber seal for 65-67 coupes nearly all gone (could be) In fact the following seem short, 67-rocker panel for side mount exhaust pipes,65-67 side mount aluminum exhaust covers (mufflers easy to get)the panels I think you can get only the RT. side. grr#33570

[Rob Fearon]

Re: LOOSEN UP ROB!

I'm loose ... I'm loose ! In an effort to keep my questions short, I obviously came across an anal ...

Dale and all, Thank you for the responses ... just going through my judging sheets to make sure I understand some of the areas "in question" ...

Anyway, appreciate the feedback ... I'm cool !

Rob

[John L.]

Re: Source for a 68 Frame Part

Thanks,

Joe, John and Bandon for the feedback. I will contact the venders that were listed.

John................

[Larry M.]

Re: Spare Tire Tub Undersize

I'm the one who started this discussion. I sent one tire back to Coker and used and original US Royal Safety 800 I have. Coker makes a Safety 800 but the sidewall is different form this original spare which actually is configured just like the Firestone repro....so I kep four firestones. I'm not interesed in judging but the judging manual says my set up if fine. What would have been neat would have been to find Safety 800 repros which look like they did in 63.