68 storage box springs
Does anyone know the evolution of those darn 68 storage box hinge springs, that put the strain on the plastic surround? I have the original hinges with the spring pressure point in the middle of the hinge and another style with the hinge exerting the opening pressure all the way to the right edge. This second design really puts an excessive asymmetric pressure on the total door and surround, it's functionally useless. I am trying to restore the originals but it's a real job as they are in such bad shape. I think that second set I have installed (offset to side) may have been for a latter version of the hinge. When did that pop up door go away? Thanks, Dale
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Re: 68 storage box springs
The springs were used through part of the 1969 models. The latest JG says that pull loops should be present on all cars after SN 13,098. The AIM shows the hinge was revised 8-2-68, which would have been at the beginning of 1969 production. I have seen the springs on some 1969s. -
Re: 68 storage box springs
Reba, I know it's getting down to the minutia but there was a change in the actual design of the door pop open spring. When and what???? I'm on the road now but I'll make some pictures when I get home. They are really different in design and show they were trying to fix a really bad product. The hinge with the spring action in the middle kind of works better than the one with the tension on the end. Maybe not a change just different suppliers. I kind of doubt that though, in that a difference like that would be too much variance in a part. DaleComment
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Re: 68 storage box springs
If you store your early plastic door open it will relieve stress on the plastic. Most original plastic doors are bowed.Comment
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Re: 68 storage box springs
Dale I am familiar with your 68 storage box hinge springs as I have a 68 FEB built Corvette. I have not repaired my original system yet. Really don't know what I will do for repairs. My plastic glove box door is bowed. I put it in the driveway one day and put a cinder block on top of it. Only did it one day and with the summer weather we have had this year I am going to do it again next summer with hotter days. It appeared to straighten just a small amount with one day in the sunshine.Comment
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Re: 68 storage box springs
Dale
My 68 built in April 1968 and my 69 built in Dec 1968 both use the same spring arrangement as shown in the attached picture. I wasn't aware there was a another design. Please post a picture if you can.
John
1968 storage door spring.jpgComment
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Re: 68 storage box springs
John, that is the one that springs open from the middle. When I get home I'll take some pictures of the other style. There is no space in the middle of the hinge for the spring to open the door. There is a loop at the right end of the hinge that forces the door open. This one puts a real bad pressures on the door. I'll get the pictures next week. DaleComment
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Re: 68 storage box springs
Jim, You might send your wife out for something and try using the oven. I would experiment with some similar plastic and start with a real low temp and also try using some kind of form to exert slight pressure to the door. Don't burn your house down. DaleComment
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Re: 68 storage box springs
Found a picture of the other type hinge.IMG_6597.jpgYou can see the hinge goes all the way across and one end is like the one pictured above but the other end is a round shape that exerts the open pressure. Kind of hard to see in photo.Comment
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Re: 68 storage box springs
If you look close you can see an extra hole, for a rivet, on one side that pressures the open position. It attempts to mitigate the excessive pressure on that end of the door.Comment
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Re: 68 storage box springs
Dale:
Your post has made me aware for the first time that two styles of hinges were used in that era.
Both long hinges on my February-built 68 are the ones with a loop at either end of the torsion spring mechanism, just as you have pictured. However, unlike the one you show, the short hinge on my car has no spring mechanism at all.
I now think that my middle (glove box) door and its hinge were changed sometime in the past, as the door is masonite and not plastic, as one would expect for an 11,5xx car.
Thanks for posting this.Comment
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