1996 Headlamp Bezels - Washers???

[Jim S.]

I have low-mileage, late 1996 convertible. In a recent chapter judging meet I was told that the Technical Manual called for washers on the phillips head and torx head screws attaching the headlight bezels. There were none visible on my car and I received a 3 point deduction. In my review of other C4's I have not seen any washers on the headlight bezel screws. So, all you experts out there, did the late C4's have washers or not? Is the manual mistaken on this issue? Comments from original owners much appreciated?

[Joe L.]

Re: 1996 Headlamp Bezels - Washers???

I have low-mileage, late 1996 convertible. In a recent chapter judging meet I was told that the Technical Manual called for washers on the phillips head and torx head screws attaching the headlight bezels. There were none visible on my car and I received a 3 point deduction. In my review of other C4's I have not seen any washers on the headlight bezel screws. So, all you experts out there, did the late C4's have washers or not? Is the manual mistaken on this issue? Comments from original owners much appreciated?

James-----


On my 1992 there are black-finished washers under the torx head screws but no washers under the phillips head screws on the sides of the bezel.

[Pat M.]

Re: 1996 Headlamp Bezels - Washers???

Guys, I'm confused as to exactly what screws you're talking about, even after reading the manual. Can yall be more specific?

[Jim S.]

Re: 1996 Headlamp Bezels - Washers???

My original thinking was that the screws addressed in manual under exterior section 7 - Headlamp Bezels, were the screws for the stainless surround holding the headlight in place. After a second reading, I believe that they are addressing the screws holding the painted urethane cover over the lights to the headlamp door. On my 1996 the side screws are as Joe describes above - black phllips head without washers. The second pair of screws are are on top (with the hood open and lights off) and on my car are 7mm hexagonal screws as seen in the picture - not torx as the manual calls for. They do have washers. Was there a production change from the early 1990's to this late 1996 example? What do the rest of you have on your 1996's?

P1010072.jpg

[Pat F.]

Re: 1996 Headlamp Bezels - Washers???

Folks, does this help? Second day of production (Aug 4, 1994) for a 1995.

Let me know if you need any other photos.

[Bill H.]

Re: 1996 Headlamp Bezels - Washers???

James-----


On my 1992 there are black-finished washers under the torx head screws but no washers under the phillips head screws on the sides of the bezel.

Same on my 1992.

[Pat F.]

Re: 1996 Headlamp Bezels - Washers???

Folks here are some more photos.

[Pat M.]

Re: 1996 Headlamp Bezels - Washers???

My original 96 has hex heads like James, and they've never been touched.

[Jim S.]

Re: 1996 Headlamp Bezels - Washers???

Thanks for the update Pat. I was about to replace mine with the Torx screws for the license plate - they appear to be identical. My serial number is 1204xx - within the last 125 C4's made - if they were low on parts, I suspect they would use anything that would work to complete the model run.

I do not have a part number on the alternator (which would be correct for an LT-4 according to the maunal) but also suspect that it is original and therefore correct.

I'd love to hear from other 1996 owners with late production cars on their headlamp bezel screws and alternators. Do theirs vary from the manual like mine?

[Floyd B.]

Re: 1996 Headlamp Bezels - Washers???

My car is in Florida and I am in PA but I happen to have some underhood photos on my computer of my mid-production '96 - Late Dec '95 Build. I won't bother to post the pictures because I wasn't specifically photographing the headlights when I took them. But when I zoom in on the headlights which happen to be in the background of the picture, I can see that mine are like Charlie's - i.e. Black Torx heads with washers. My car is also a red on black vert.

[Jim S.]

Re: 1996 Headlamp Bezels - Washers???

Pat, what is your production month (date) and/or approximate VIN? I would like to identify a period when the hex head screws were used in production - if possible.

[Pat M.]

Re: 1996 Headlamp Bezels - Washers???

Pat, what is your production month (date) and/or approximate VIN? I would like to identify a period when the hex head screws were used in production - if possible.

Very late May build, 19,xxx VIN range.

[Pat F.]

Re: 1996 Headlamp Bezels - Washers???

Pat, what is your production month (date) and/or approximate VIN? I would like to identify a period when the hex head screws were used in production - if possible.

Jim, my Corvette was built on the second day of 1995 Production (August 4, 1994). I have fully documented the build date, ordering date and shipping date.

My Vin ends in 233. Side issue in the VIN is that my Corvette was actually the 139th 1995 Production Unit made, I had gotten information that 94 VIN's were assigned prior to actual production beginning the first week of August 1994. As I was informed the very first 1995 VIN was assigned in April 1994. I am showing my build sheet and you will notice that the production number of 139 and the VIN number of 00233 at the right hand bottom.

I also have have the 139 (Yellow Marker) number on the ABS box and 39 (Yellow Marker) on my spare tire and 39 (Reddish Marker) under the air cleaner.

[Floyd B.]

Re: 1996 Headlamp Bezels - Washers???

Based on the information in this thread so far, some time between Dec 23, 95 and late May, 96.