70 Trim Plate Fasteners

[Allen N.]

On UPC 1 ASM, sheet E5. It shows six holes in the trim plate. The two holes at the top and the two holes beside the rear optic lights show 3843505 screws in them. I cannot find screws in the bottom two holes in the AIM. There are holes in the console below the trim plate at the lower two holes, but there is nothing to secure the screws in the console. If you put screws in these holes they do not tighten into anything. Is there supposed to a nut under the console? Do these holes not have screws in them?

Thanks,
Allen

[Patrick H.]

Re: 70 Trim Plate Fasteners

Any chance of posting the AIM picture, or your trim plate?

Usually there are U-nuts that the screws fasten into.

[Allen N.]

Re: 70 Trim Plate Fasteners



Patrick,

The upper four holes with screws in them have U-nuts in the console. The two holes in the lower corners have a hole in the console but no nuts.

Thanks,
Allen

[Mark E.]

Re: 70 Trim Plate Fasteners

Allen,

The shifter trim plate uses 4 screws: 1 at each top corner, and 2 aligned with the rear fiber optic lights. The holes in the extreme rear corners of your plate are not typical.

As Patrick mentioned, U-nuts clip onto the console for attaching these 4 screws.

[Patrick H.]

Re: 70 Trim Plate Fasteners

The holes in the lower corners are typical of a 1969.
The holes by the fiber optics are typical for 70-71.

Someone modified the trim plate to fit both. I don't think service replacement parts had both sets of holes.

[Bill B.]

Re: 70 Trim Plate Fasteners

My 1970 (mid July) original top plate only had the 4 holes, two on top corner, and two just above the data info plate. I obtained a supposed 1970 top plate at a Carlisle event 15 years ago and it had 6 holes like shown in the picture. (I say 1970 as the data info indicated 350/370 and a CR of 11:1, and showed no overt signs of being replaced at some point). I was stumped at this, as there were no ears in the console to screw anything to at the two bottom corners. Careful examination of the plate showed no bubba modifications to it. I do not recall if that plate had a part number or not. Just found it strange to have 6 apparent purposely manufactured holes to accommodate pan/flat head fasteners in it.

[Ron G.]

Re: 70 Trim Plate Fasteners

For what ever it’s worth, my car is not a 70, but it is a fairly early 71. The picture I uploaded is not as clear as I would hope it to be, but it does have only four screws. Two in the upper corners, and two in the lower by the fiber optics.

- Ron

[Reba W.]

Re: 70 Trim Plate Fasteners

There was a change in late 1969 console tops, but it didn't last until the end of production. The following description is from the 1968-69 JG:
In 1969, by about S/N 32,490, two additional screws are added at the ends of the rear fiber-optic panel. (See Fig. I 7.3 red arrows)
Sometime about S/N 36,927, these two screws (see red arrows) are removed, leaving a new pattern of four screws, one in each corner of the plate.

I could not copy Photo I 7.3.

[Joe L.]

Re: 70 Trim Plate Fasteners

[ATTACH=CONFIG]119517[/ATTACH]

Patrick,

The upper four holes with screws in them have U-nuts in the console. The two holes in the lower corners have a hole in the console but no nuts.

Thanks,
Allen

Allen------

All of the following part numbers apply to the console plates for cars with manual transmission and without C-60 (which is what you picture):

The 1968 (GM #3915611) and 1969 (GM #3954530) console plates had the screw holes in the 4 corners of the plate. My very late 1969 does have this configuration plate.

Beginning in 1970, the plate changed to GM #3963148. This plate has the forwardmost screws as the above. However, the lower screws were to the left and right of the fiber optic indicators. There were no holes in the lower corners. This same plate was used for 1971. The 3963148 plate became SERVICE for 1968-69 in June 1970 with the instruction that the lower holes may need to be added and the other lower holes plugged (presumably for 1968-69 models).

In July, 1973 the GM #3863148 was discontinued and replaced by GM #6260510. This plate was SERVICE-only, applicable to all 1968-71 and I suspect it had all six holes. So, this may be the plate you have or it could be a GM #3963148 which has been modified by the addition of the lowermost holes. The GM #6260510 was discontinued without supercession in 1983.

Keep in mind that it's possible all of these changes might not have been reflected on the casting numbers on the rear of the plate. I would be interested in what the casting number(s) on your plate are, though.

[Joe L.]

Re: 70 Trim Plate Fasteners

There was a change in late 1969 console tops, but it didn't last until the end of production. The following description is from the 1968-69 JG:
In 1969, by about S/N 32,490, two additional screws are added at the ends of the rear fiber-optic panel. (See Fig. I 7.3 red arrows)
Sometime about S/N 36,927, these two screws (see red arrows) are removed, leaving a new pattern of four screws, one in each corner of the plate.

I could not copy Photo I 7.3.

Reba------


The console plates with the "6 screw" attachment must have been modified GM #3954530, perhaps actually modified at St. Louis especially considering that the earlier 1969 attachment configuration returned before the end of PRODUCTION.

By the way, I believe I know why the attachment configuration changed for 1970. The tabs on the console body for the u-nuts used for the lower attachment points have a propensity for breaking off. My did a very long time ago. I repaired them using fiberglass.

[Mark E.]

Re: 70 Trim Plate Fasteners

There was a change in late 1969 console tops, but it didn't last until the end of production. The following description is from the 1968-69 JG:
In 1969, by about S/N 32,490, two additional screws are added at the ends of the rear fiber-optic panel. (See Fig. I 7.3 red arrows)
Sometime about S/N 36,927, these two screws (see red arrows) are removed, leaving a new pattern of four screws, one in each corner of the plate.

I could not copy Photo I 7.3.

We're saying cars between SN 32,490 and 36,927 have 6 hole plates? Which two holes were not used and how did the factory plug them?

[Terry M.]

Re: 70 Trim Plate Fasteners

We're saying cars between SN 32,490 and 36,927 have 6 hole plates? Which two holes were not used and how did the factory plug them?

RTFM and see the red arrows that Reba mentioned.

[Ray K.]

Re: 70 Trim Plate Fasteners

Here's a few pictures of my 71's trimplate. Original owner, built in mid-January 1971.
Note lower attachment point(s) . . . . . .
Ray K (#43777)

[Donald S.]

Re: 70 Trim Plate Fasteners

IMG_1336.jpg

My 69 sn 35963 has the lower screws next to the fiber optics. I agree with Joe, those attaching tabs are extremely fragile.
Although tough to see in the picture, it seems you can see a slight outline of where the hole would be in the lower right corner. The texture looks slightly different in that area.
Don

[Mark E.]

Re: 70 Trim Plate Fasteners

...I agree with Joe, those attaching tabs are extremely fragile.
Don

About 10 years ago, I discovered an awesome product for repairing the plastic that forms the structure of the console, dash and other trim pieces. It's called Tech-Bond at tech-bond.net. They had a booth at a Corvette-Chevrolet Expo in Houston and I bought a kit. The "SI Green Polymer" is gel like which when applied to V-ed out cracks flows out to weld the plastic together leaving a "bead" that looks like plastic. The kit comes with a "filler" powder that can be mixed with the gel to build up areas as needed- great for strengthening weak attachment ears. It can be shaped as needed when cured.

The repair is just as strong as new. I've used it on a couple of consoles and storage compartment frames (C3) to good effect. It's especially useful for repairing/strengthening attachment ears. I've also made these repairs using fiberglass matting and resin, but Tech-Bond provides a stronger, cleaner looking repair.

I rescued a badly damaged but irreplaceable "marbled" light saddle 1970 console using this product- Ears were missing or cracked, body was cracked with pieces missing.

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