1969 Fuel Door hold open spring install

[Brett D.]

Hi Guy's

Can anyone explain the Gas Door hold open spring installation for 1969.

It is required to stay open for operations. I would think

that it is fairly simple, however I am at a loss as to the

correct installation. AIM is vague and I am sure the information is available.

Thanks In Advance

Brett:

[Joe L.]

Re: 1969 Fuel Door hold open spring install

Hi Guy's

Can anyone explain the Gas Door hold open spring installation for 1969.

It is required to stay open for operations. I would think

that it is fairly simple, however I am at a loss as to the

correct installation. AIM is vague and I am sure the information is available.

Thanks In Advance

Brett:

Brett-----

The 1968-70 fuel door "hold open" spring was part of the bezel and hinge assembly. It was not installed at St. Louis as a separate part nor was it ever available separately in SERVICE from GM.

The spring was a shallow, "u-shaped" design and was attached to the bezel by two "rivets" which were an integral part of the bezel casting and were "peened" to retain the spring. The spring would engage and "snap over" the neck of the door hinge and, thus, retain it in the up position.

This was a VERY POOR design. The spring often breaks off the bezel and that's why many 68-70 Corvettes with original fuel bezels often have fuel filler doors that won't stay open. However, the bezels can be repaired by drilling and tapping the bezel for short machine screws to retain the spring to the bezel. It is very difficult to see the repair but it can be detected with a mirror if that's important to you.

Even with the spring repaired to the bezel, this is still a miserable design. It often requires considerable effort to pull the hinge out of the spring. This places stress on the rear deck fiberglass panel. The "hold down" set-up on these 68-70 bezels is also problematic, requiring considerable effort to open the door, also putting stress on the rear deck. While this can be adjusted somewhat, it often is not.

My solution unless one is concerned about absolute correctness? Change over to the 71-74 style bezel. This was a MUCH better design and uses an "overcentering" spring to hold the door open AND keep it closed. While the 71-74 fuel door was also somewhat different, the 68-70 door can be used with 71-74 bezel. Simply notch the forward part of the bezel so that the "hold-down catch" riveted to the 68-70 door will clear the bezel. In this manner, you don't modify the door in any way and you can always go back to the 68-70 style bezel if you wish. In fact, it's so easy to change the door and bezel, the original style bezel can be installed for judging and removed and replaced by the 71-74 style bezel at other times. I made this conversion on my 1969 about 35 years ago (after replacing 2 or 3 of the 68-70 style bezels due to a failed spring).

[Brett D.]

Re: 1969 Fuel Door hold open spring install

Thanks Joe,

I knew there was a design change in 1971.

One of the reproduction companies has a spring for sale but

it is just a coil spring about an inch long and 7/16 in diameter.

There is no way that will work in the fashion the original was designed.


I guess I have never seen an early one that

wasn't broken or changed to the later style.

I would like to repair one for judging purposes,

Anyone have a photo of one that has been restored?

Thanks for all your help

Brett

[Joe L.]

Re: 1969 Fuel Door hold open spring install

Thanks Joe,

I knew there was a design change in 1971.

One of the reproduction companies has a spring for sale but

it is just a coil spring about an inch long and 7/16 in diameter.

There is no way that will work in the fashion the original was designed.


I guess I have never seen an early one that

wasn't broken or changed to the later style.

I would like to repair one for judging purposes,

Anyone have a photo of one that has been restored?

Thanks for all your help

Brett

Brett-----


The 68-70 style bezel assembly is reproduced. I think it's a pretty good reproduction.

As far as repairing one goes, you have to have the right spring. I don't know of a source for the right spring and a coil spring will not work. However, if one has the bezel and the spring, all one needs to do is drill the bezel at the location where the vestiges of the rivets are found. Tap for a #10, or so, machine screw, and install the spring. Very simple.

[Jeffrey S.]

Re: 1969 Fuel Door hold open spring install

Brett:
I took my bezel off my '69 and attached are 2 files that might help you. One is a photo of the spring in the bezel and the other is a drawing I made with the approximate dimensions. Hope these help.
Jeff

[Brett D.]

Re: 1969 Fuel Door hold open spring install

Thanks Jeff,

That is exactly what I was looking for.

You were all a big help once again !!!

Brett

[Jim T.]

Re: 1969 Fuel Door hold open spring install

If the 68's gas door is removed from the original installed bezel and installed on the later 71 bezel you might loose NCRS judging points since the 68's gas door attachment to the bezel is not retained by screws.