56 Fuel Door Bumper Screws

[Mark S.]

Here is my dilemma: I have been restoring a late 1956 Corvette since 1984. I just got the car back from the painter who took a year and a half to paint it. I am all pumped up to start reassembling it. I started putting parts on and I see that I am missing the two screws for the door bumpers. Since it is a late 56 (#4200), I thought that it originally had phillips screws; however, the tech manual specifies black #6 clutch head screws. Since I do not want to rile the Corvette gods; where do I get those two black #6 clutch head screws? Thanks in advance! Mark

[Art B.]

Re: 56 Fuel Door Bumper Screws

Hi Mark: After reading your post I went out to check on the subject screws on my '57. It uses what looks like Phillips pan head screws. Then when I checked the tech manual, you are right, your '56 uses #6 clutch head screws.
If you have a company known as Fastenal over there in River Falls, you might want to check with them. I have obtained some odd fasteners for my Corvettes from them.

[Mark S.]

Re: 56 Fuel Door Bumper Screws

Art: Thanks for the reply! I did check Fastenal in Hudson before I went on this board. The woman at Fastenal said that she could not find them. I should have mentioned that.

[Troy P.]

Re: 56 Fuel Door Bumper Screws

Don't forget the bumpers and screws were painted as they were installed prior to paint. Well at least they were in 53-55 and I believe later. Also there are two marks on the underside of the lid made by the bumpers when the lid was closed to pain the outside while the paint was still wet.

[Mark S.]

Re: 56 Fuel Door Bumper Screws

Thanks, yes I have that. I just nee those clutch head screws.

[Gary C.]

Re: 56 Fuel Door Bumper Screws

Mark,

Corvette Central has different sizes of clutch head screws. Call and ask for the Tech and let him know what size you need since there may not be a specific listing for the gas door clutch head screws.

Gary
....

[Mark S.]

Re: 56 Fuel Door Bumper Screws

Thanks Gary!

[Mark S.]

Re: 56 Fuel Door Bumper Screws

Well, Today I tried Corvette Central, Paragon, Richard Fortier, David Sokolowski, and Fastenal again. I had no luck on the black #6 clutch head screws. One vendor said that he thought the judging manual was wrong and that they were #8 clutch head screws. Another wrinkle in my search for these elusive screws.

[Gary C.]

Re: 56 Fuel Door Bumper Screws

Mark,

You're going to have to be creative.
1) no one's going to have a black clutch head screw. You're going to have to black phosphate or paint yourself.
2) if you can't find #8, then you'll have to use a dremel tool to resize the head down to #6
3) check the Tri Five Chevy and antique Chevy truck vendors as they all used a lot of clutch head screws

Gary
....

[Troy P.]

Re: 56 Fuel Door Bumper Screws

Since the screws will be painted along with the bumpers it shouldn't matter if they aren't black. But you can use a product like Quick Black to make them so if desired.

[Mark S.]

Re: 56 Fuel Door Bumper Screws

Thanks, I am not too worried about the black. I just ordered (Had to order more than I need) of the #8 clutch heads from a Chevrolet vendor. I will take Gary's advice and try to make them work.

[Art B.]

Re: 56 Fuel Door Bumper Screws

Mark:
I'm looking forward to seeing your '56. You have been working on that for a long long time. Maybe spending too much time on your C2.

[Mark S.]

Re: 56 Fuel Door Bumper Screws

Art:
Yes, I have been working on it since 1984; and I worked on it today. I hope to finish it before I run out of runway! All the best!
Mark

[Tom D.]

Re: 56 Fuel Door Bumper Screws

This is old. I still wonder... Did the NCRS TIM&JG ever change on this topic?

[Mark S.]

Re: 56 Fuel Door Bumper Screws

Tom: The Tech Manual was not changed on this topic. I also suggested the change of adding the 1119789 starter solenoid for very late 56 Corvettes. That solenoid was in earlier versions of the Tech Manual but was deleted by Mr. Chestnut. He said that Gilberts late 56 did not have this solenoid; however, my 4200 Corvette was later than Gilbert's; and I could trace my Corvette back to its beginning. Thanks! Mark