Rag joint
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2018
Posts: 1,443
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From: Fairfax, Virginia
Your ability to find one also depends on exactly which one you are looking for. Is it a 63 to 66 standard? Is it a 67 to early 69 standard? Is it a 63 to 66 telescopic?
Some types are much rarer than others so it helps to be specific. Prices range from $325 for a nicely rebuilt one up to $800 to $900 for an NOS one depending on what it is.
They do pop up here on the Forum from time to time and as Gary said, also on eBay. Make sure you know exactly what you are looking at as there are subtle differences. C.J.
Some types are much rarer than others so it helps to be specific. Prices range from $325 for a nicely rebuilt one up to $800 to $900 for an NOS one depending on what it is.
They do pop up here on the Forum from time to time and as Gary said, also on eBay. Make sure you know exactly what you are looking at as there are subtle differences. C.J.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2007
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From: But it's a DRY HEAT! Tucson
Your ability to find one also depends on exactly which one you are looking for. Is it a 63 to 66 standard? Is it a 67 to early 69 standard? Is it a 63 to 66 telescopic?
Some types are much rarer than others so it helps to be specific. Prices range from $325 for a nicely rebuilt one up to $800 to $900 for an NOS one depending on what it is.
They do pop up here on the Forum from time to time and as Gary said, also on eBay. Make sure you know exactly what you are looking at as there are subtle differences. C.J.
Some types are much rarer than others so it helps to be specific. Prices range from $325 for a nicely rebuilt one up to $800 to $900 for an NOS one depending on what it is.
They do pop up here on the Forum from time to time and as Gary said, also on eBay. Make sure you know exactly what you are looking at as there are subtle differences. C.J.
66 standard column. i just need a repair kit
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2006
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Is there anyone out there that will repair/restore your original rag joint to NCRS standards? I need my '63 to be rebuilt. Not sure if this is DIY if you want it correct, or at least as correct it can be given available rebuilt kits.
Drifting
Joined: Sep 2024
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From: Florida
Any companies building a column without a rag joint for NON NCRS cars?? I installed a newer rack in my mustang and Maximum Motorsports builds a " hybrid" column for using the newer racks without a rag joint.... I would assume the same for Chevy's>?????
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2018
Posts: 1,443
Likes: 720
From: Fairfax, Virginia
Thanks for the clarification.
Most if not all of the repair kits have been sold and are no longer made (as far as I know) . Zips sold out of the last of their kits for 63 to 66 this past year I believe. All of ZIPs kits sold within the last three or four years, originally came from LI Corvette Supply. When the owner (Richard Cohen) died, his daughter sold the company's entire inventory to Zips.
Most of the common rebuild kits sold by non Corvette vendors (think Rock Auto) have a solid chunk of black rubber instead of the multi layer cloth and white cord as were the originals. The later over the counter rags (beginning about 1972) had metal mesh imbedded between the layers in lieu of the copper band connection between halves.
Both original styles are gone for good unless you find someone willing to part with one that they purchased previously. Good Luck. C.J.
Most if not all of the repair kits have been sold and are no longer made (as far as I know) . Zips sold out of the last of their kits for 63 to 66 this past year I believe. All of ZIPs kits sold within the last three or four years, originally came from LI Corvette Supply. When the owner (Richard Cohen) died, his daughter sold the company's entire inventory to Zips.
Most of the common rebuild kits sold by non Corvette vendors (think Rock Auto) have a solid chunk of black rubber instead of the multi layer cloth and white cord as were the originals. The later over the counter rags (beginning about 1972) had metal mesh imbedded between the layers in lieu of the copper band connection between halves.
Both original styles are gone for good unless you find someone willing to part with one that they purchased previously. Good Luck. C.J.
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2018
Posts: 1,443
Likes: 720
From: Fairfax, Virginia
Yes there are a few who can rebuild and or restore your rag joint to original NCRS standards. The difficulty is finding the correct rag and also the rivets that have the letter "F" pressed into the head in a recess for a telescopic rag joint. If you can find everything there are folks who can do it.
C.J.
Last edited by C2Scho; May 13, 2025 at 02:40 PM.
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Melting Slicks
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Hi Doug,
Yes there are a few who can rebuild and or restore your rag joint to original NCRS standards. The difficulty is finding the correct rag and also the bolts that have the letter "F" pressed into the head in a recess. If you can find everything there are folks who can do it.
C.J.
Yes there are a few who can rebuild and or restore your rag joint to original NCRS standards. The difficulty is finding the correct rag and also the bolts that have the letter "F" pressed into the head in a recess. If you can find everything there are folks who can do it.
C.J.
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2018
Posts: 1,443
Likes: 720
From: Fairfax, Virginia
Below is a picture of an original 65 telescopic rag joint that I borrowed from Gary's post (thanks Gary) who got it from another. You can see the letter "F" (upside down) stamped into the head of the rivet.
The rivets with the letter "F" in the recessed head were unique to the 63-66 rag joints. Although most of the examples I have seen with the letter "F" have been in the 65-66 range and both standard and telescopic rag joints have them. See the pictures below.
The 67 to early 69 rag joints did not have the "F" stamped into the rivets.
Hope this helps. C.J.
Last edited by C2Scho; May 20, 2025 at 03:32 AM. Reason: To add a picture