I searched the archives for information on hardtop wrenchs but didn't see anything for 1968's. I have seen three wrenchs, they're all different, and the judging/general manual is more general than specific, as usual. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks. Don.
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Re: C3 Hardtop Wrench
Don------
Pictured is an absolutely, positively known original from a 1969.
However, and curiously, the part number for the wrench supplied with 64-68 Corvettes with auxiliary hardtop was different than that for 1969. The 1964-68 wrench was GM #3832456. This wrench was also once available in SERVICE but was discontinued without supercession in May, 1975.
The 1969 wrench was GM #3685609. This is an "ancient" part number dating back to the early 50's, if not earlier. I cannot find that it was ever available in SERVICE. Why it was specified for 1969, and possibly later, I have no idea.
Keep in mind, also, that even within a given part number, different manufacturers may have supplied the wrench. So, there's no assurance that every wrench was the same.In Appreciation of John Hinckley -
Re: C3 Hardtop Wrench
joe:
thank you for your help and the pictures. the 68-69 judging/general manual states "it (the wrench) is a double-open-end Vlchek #1416". there are currently three of these on ebaymotors but they are listed for cars up to 1967 only. and, they are 1/2 and 7/16 and all three are different. these are the ebay numbers:
220 560 018 177
360 235 857 471
260 555 059 371Comment
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Re: C3 Hardtop Wrench
Don, If it helps any I've attached a photo of the original wrench for my 67.Comment
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Re: C3 Hardtop Wrench
Donald------
I do not know the reasons for the change in the configuration of the Vlchek #1416 wrench. However, I expect that this wrench must have changed over time. Just which configuration was being used as-of 1968, I do not know. Perhaps, someone with an original 1968 with C-07 will be able to answer.
However, I think we've now cleared up the mystery of the change from the 3832456 wrench used for 64-68 to the 3685609 wrench used for 1969 and, likely, later to 1975.
During the 1964-67 years, the hardtop was retained to the deck lid by, I believe, 5/16" studs retained by 5/16-16 flanged head hex nuts. These nuts required a 1/2" wrench for removal. Two additional fasteners located on brackets at the side of the hardtop fastened into panel nuts at the sides of the decklid. These fasteners were 5/16-18 flanged, hex head screws. These also used a 1/2" wrench for removal and installation. So, the 1/2" end of the Vlchek wrench could be used for both needs. Apparently, the 7/16" end was superfluous as far as the hard-top was concerned. If it had a use, I don't know what it was.
For 1968, things changed. Initially, or at least as initially scheduled, a bolt was to be used in place of the studs used earlier. This bolt was 5/16-18 and threaded into a housing tapped for that size. This bolt required a 1/2" wrench for removal and installation. The side fasteners were the same as 63-67 and also required a 1/2" wrench for removal and installation. So, the same Vlchek #1416 wrench would have worked just fine. And, that wrench, as GM #3832456, was the one specified for the 1968 application.
Later in 1968, things changed again. The 5/16-18 BOLTS were replaced by 3/8-16 STUDS. Although the AIM does not indicate it, the housings must also have changed since the 3/8-16 studs would not have worked with housings tapped for 5/16-18 thread size. It is also possible, but unconfirmed, that an INTERIM configuration involved 3/8-16 BOLTS. I do not know exactly when any of the above changes occurred.
In any event, when the change was made to the 3/8-16 STUDS (or, BOLTS if there was an interim change), a 9/16" wrench was required for removal and installation. The old Vlchek #1416 would not suffice since it had no 9/16" end. Whether this change was accommodated with a change to a 9/16" wrench for the 1968 model year, I do not know. It's the sort of thing that I might expect could have "slipped through the cracks".
It's very possible that early 1969 may have used some or all of the 1968 configuration. I do not know. However, by the time that my car was built in September, 1969, the housings tapped for 3/8-16 and the 3/8-16 studs were definitely in use. In addition, the only wrench that I can find that was specified for 1969 was the 3685609 which is, apparently, the wrench with 1/2" and 9/16" ends. They must have "dredged up" this old part number which just happened to be for a wrench with exactly the sizes needed------1/2" for the side bolts and 9/16" for the nuts on the through-decklid studs.
And, now I know why the wrench part number was changed for 1969! I didn't know that this morning.
Is it possible that the same wrench was used for 1968 or, at least, later 1968? That I do not know. It would take observations from original cars WITH THEIR ORIGINAL WRENCHES to determine that.In Appreciation of John HinckleyComment
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Re: C3 Hardtop Wrench
my thanks to mark for the picture and to joe for all that work. i feel like the vlchek #1416 is probably correct for my car which is F15. the authorities in charge of updating the judging manual can simply cut and paste Joe's post and give the restorer/hobbyist sufficient information to make an informed decision. i would still welcome a 68 owner to provide some insight and a picture. thanks again. don.Comment
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Re: C3 Hardtop Wrench
joe:
i'm not sure. my car is a long way away in final preparation for its first show in gettysberg. i will check with the restoration shop next week.Comment
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Re: C3 Hardtop Wrench
Joe
Early 68 hard tops were not held down by a stud or bolt through the rear deck lid. They were held down by the same pins as the soft top.
Attached is a picture of the early 68 design rear deck lock. It has a single piece hinge pin that a stud or bolt can not pass through. This was later changed to a two piece hinge pin design so a stud could pass through.
JohnComment
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Re: C3 Hardtop Wrench
John------
I think I see where I went wrong here. I misinterpreted what was meant by "bolt". There may have 3 different designs for the 1968 application. However, the first two designs used BOLTS BUT THE BOLTS WERE NOT WHAT WE USUALLY THINK OF AS BOLTS. These "bolts" were what you described as "pins" and were the same as those used for the soft top. So, no nuts (or wrench) were required with these "bolts". GM describes these as "bolts" and I expect the reason is that they have a slot on the tip for insertion of a tool to install them. The slot makes them a "bolt" in GM parlance.
The first design used a 5/16-18 "bolt", but the "bolt", of course, required no nut. So, no wrench was necessary, at all. This "bolt" was GM #3915799. I'm not sure that this design ever actually made it to PRODUCTION, though.
The second design (or first design if the previous never actually made it to PRODUCTION) used a 3/8-16 "bolt", but that "bolt" was also the same style as that used for the soft-top and required no nut. It was GM #3940635.
The third design used the 3/8-16 stud which required the special "washer" and hex nut. This style, of course, required a wrench for removal and installationIn Appreciation of John HinckleyComment
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Re: C3 Hardtop Wrench
Joe
Thanks for the clarification on terminology used. I just don't think bolt when I look at them.
The first design bolt (pin) was actually a 1/4-20 and not 5/16-18. And yes they did get used on cars. My April 18th built car has 1/4-20 bolts for the soft top but 3/8-16 on the hardtop. April 1968 must have been the approximate change over date for the bolt usage.
JohnComment
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