Advice needed on installing new console.
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 4,282
Likes: 172
From: Lake Wylie, South Carolina
Advice needed on installing new console.
I am trying to get my new shifter console and E-brake console mounted. I have everything atteached but the screw holes that you see in the picture. The mounting holes are a good inch below the holes in the console. I have put a ton of pressure on the top but it is coming no where near to lining up. Any ideas or advice? Note the top view where the E-brake console needs to be drawn together.
Thanks
Wade
Thanks
Wade
Pro
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 503
Likes: 0
From: Ozark MO
Do you still have the old pieces to confirm the holes are the same on the old and new? I remember having fits with mine, as well, but don't remember how I solved the problem. It must have been patience. 
naaaw, that couldn't have been it. If you haven't yet, compare the old and new pieces to begin with.
naaaw, that couldn't have been it. If you haven't yet, compare the old and new pieces to begin with.
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 4,282
Likes: 172
From: Lake Wylie, South Carolina
Thanks guys, unfortunately all the old peices were gone when I bought the car so I don't have anything for comparison. I have checked and the carpet does not seem to be interfering but it is new as well so I am sure it is not flatened out like the orgional stuff would have been. I went out and tried again and I am affraid to put anymore pressure on it than I already have.
Starting to wander should I drill the holes bown and then just put srews in the others. Fortunately the seats cover these so it shouldn't be visible. Thoughts?
Thanks
Wade
Starting to wander should I drill the holes bown and then just put srews in the others. Fortunately the seats cover these so it shouldn't be visible. Thoughts?
Thanks
Wade
Pro
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 525
Likes: 0
From: Charlotte N.C.
I agree with Rick the grain doesnt seem to match. And looking at the pics you still have a good inch and a half to go! Obviously you shoudnt have that far to go for a match. If it is the right match it could be a error during the pre-drilled mold process(factory error). But, you could make your own holes as you suggested.
Last edited by 82cruiser; Nov 18, 2007 at 07:15 PM.
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 4,282
Likes: 172
From: Lake Wylie, South Carolina
Thanks guys. The car is a '71. The forward console was bought from Wilcox and the rear brake console was bought from ZIP I think but it has been a while. I agree they don't match that great. The E-brake console seems to be a shiny'er black and also is plastic where as the shifter console is vinyl and is a little flatter. 
I am the point where I am thinking seriously about drilling new holes. I guess on the plus side if you can say this is a plus. Bothshifter and E-brake console holes are drilled in the same place on the front holes.
Thanks for the input!
Wade
I am the point where I am thinking seriously about drilling new holes. I guess on the plus side if you can say this is a plus. Bothshifter and E-brake console holes are drilled in the same place on the front holes.
Thanks for the input!
Wade
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 5,447
Likes: 3
From: Syracuse NY
Forgive me if I'm wrong but I don't think that is the correct forward console. The texture and the stitching doesn't look right to me.
This is my 68 with a 69 emergency brake cover, I don't know when they changed to the style you have buy I don't think that belongs in a 71.
I really need to redo my interior!!
This is my 68 with a 69 emergency brake cover, I don't know when they changed to the style you have buy I don't think that belongs in a 71.
I really need to redo my interior!!
Last edited by DZRick; Nov 18, 2007 at 08:59 PM.
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Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 1999
Posts: 1,047
Likes: 3
From: CA
DZRick, I think he has the correct shift console as my 71 has the stitching as well.
BlackRat, I noticed a few things. In your posted photo it appears that your shift plate is sitting to high in the console. Its should be recesed in the console. Look at DZRick's for comparison. So something is not right in the console. Fix whatever is wrong in the console and maybe the e-brake cover will be able to sit further down.
Secondly, the end of the e-brake console where it meets the shifter console is spread too wide. Look at the trim piece that fits between the two consoles...you should not be able to see the rivets. Again look at the photo in DZRick's post.
BlackRat, I noticed a few things. In your posted photo it appears that your shift plate is sitting to high in the console. Its should be recesed in the console. Look at DZRick's for comparison. So something is not right in the console. Fix whatever is wrong in the console and maybe the e-brake cover will be able to sit further down.
Secondly, the end of the e-brake console where it meets the shifter console is spread too wide. Look at the trim piece that fits between the two consoles...you should not be able to see the rivets. Again look at the photo in DZRick's post.
Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 23,831
Likes: 10
From: Springfield MO
St. Jude Donor '07
Hey Black Rat just a reminder, anytime you have two different part's to fit make sure you get them from the same place. The colors will match! Mid-America(dark blue) is different than Zipp's. Alway's order from the same company when color's are involved!: Good Luck with your mod.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 5,447
Likes: 3
From: Syracuse NY
DZRick, I think he has the correct shift console as my 71 has the stitching as well.
BlackRat, I noticed a few things. In your posted photo it appears that your shift plate is sitting to high in the console. Its should be recesed in the console. Look at DZRick's for comparison. So something is not right in the console. Fix whatever is wrong in the console and maybe the e-brake cover will be able to sit further down.
Secondly, the end of the e-brake console where it meets the shifter console is spread too wide. Look at the trim piece that fits between the two consoles...you should not be able to see the rivets. Again look at the photo in DZRick's post.
BlackRat, I noticed a few things. In your posted photo it appears that your shift plate is sitting to high in the console. Its should be recesed in the console. Look at DZRick's for comparison. So something is not right in the console. Fix whatever is wrong in the console and maybe the e-brake cover will be able to sit further down.
Secondly, the end of the e-brake console where it meets the shifter console is spread too wide. Look at the trim piece that fits between the two consoles...you should not be able to see the rivets. Again look at the photo in DZRick's post.
but that just looks wrong. It looks like the stitching should continue onto the E-brake console.
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 4,282
Likes: 172
From: Lake Wylie, South Carolina
DZRick, I think he has the correct shift console as my 71 has the stitching as well.
BlackRat, I noticed a few things. In your posted photo it appears that your shift plate is sitting to high in the console. Its should be recesed in the console. Look at DZRick's for comparison. So something is not right in the console. Fix whatever is wrong in the console and maybe the e-brake cover will be able to sit further down.
Secondly, the end of the e-brake console where it meets the shifter console is spread too wide. Look at the trim piece that fits between the two consoles...you should not be able to see the rivets. Again look at the photo in DZRick's post.
BlackRat, I noticed a few things. In your posted photo it appears that your shift plate is sitting to high in the console. Its should be recesed in the console. Look at DZRick's for comparison. So something is not right in the console. Fix whatever is wrong in the console and maybe the e-brake cover will be able to sit further down.
Secondly, the end of the e-brake console where it meets the shifter console is spread too wide. Look at the trim piece that fits between the two consoles...you should not be able to see the rivets. Again look at the photo in DZRick's post.
Thanks for the comments guys. I did specify that it was for a '71 when I ordered it but who knows if I got the correct one or not. Both contained Corvette America instruction sheets.
Paul,
Thanks for the input. I probably should have mentioned that the shift plate was just sitting on top for mock up. I need to take a hair dryer and heat the console and install the screws to draw it down as it should be but I was trying to get the 2 consoles in place first. as for the rivets, you are correct they should be hidden and if you squeeze both sides of the e-brake consoles they will be covered up but the problem goes back to those forward mounting holes being positioned and inch apart. If I can get the screws in it will draw the e-brake console together hiding the rivets.
Thanks again all! If anyone has any additional thoughts or suggestions please chime in. I really don't want to start drilling extra holes but that may be the only option.
Thanks
Wade
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 8,117
Likes: 104
From: charlotte north carolina
is your e brake console set all the way back? be sure the carpet isn't holding it in a forward position. use a lug in the rear mounting hole rather than a bolt passed thru the rear compartment. also make sure the shifter console is positioned properly and the screw holes line up.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 5,943
Likes: 3
From: Wildwood IL
Look under the rear portion of the shift-Con. There is a 1" or so diameter plastic post that the console sits on. Might have to be filed down some. (mine did) Make sure the metal tabs that hold the PWR window wires are bent over. (mine kept the console from dropping) If all else fails, drill new holes in the metal mount...not the console!
Eddie
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 5,485
Likes: 7
From: Peekskill NY
Good luck, Glenn
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 5,447
Likes: 3
From: Syracuse NY
Nope. It's only on the shifter console. Here's pics of my 70 with the original console. I need to replace the e-brake mount hardware but you can see the console stitching does not continue to the hand brake console. You can also see whete the e-brake console screws are located.
Good luck, Glenn
Good luck, Glenn
I can see now that the closeup makes it stand out more too.
Pro
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 720
Likes: 1
From: Holtwood PA
DZRick, I think he has the correct shift console as my 71 has the stitching as well.
BlackRat, I noticed a few things. In your posted photo it appears that your shift plate is sitting to high in the console. Its should be recesed in the console. Look at DZRick's for comparison. So something is not right in the console. Fix whatever is wrong in the console and maybe the e-brake cover will be able to sit further down.
Secondly, the end of the e-brake console where it meets the shifter console is spread too wide. Look at the trim piece that fits between the two consoles...you should not be able to see the rivets. Again look at the photo in DZRick's post.
BlackRat, I noticed a few things. In your posted photo it appears that your shift plate is sitting to high in the console. Its should be recesed in the console. Look at DZRick's for comparison. So something is not right in the console. Fix whatever is wrong in the console and maybe the e-brake cover will be able to sit further down.
Secondly, the end of the e-brake console where it meets the shifter console is spread too wide. Look at the trim piece that fits between the two consoles...you should not be able to see the rivets. Again look at the photo in DZRick's post.
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 4,282
Likes: 172
From: Lake Wylie, South Carolina
Well I finally got the console screwed down. The fit is not nearly as perfect as I would like but I can deal with it for now and I am hoping that as tight as everything is the peices will slowly soften and conform and I can make some periodic adjustments. The rivets of that filer peice for the E-brake console still show slightly but with the handle down you don't see them. I also installed the passenger side lower dash and mated it to the guage cluster. Funny thing is all the dash peices are orifional to the car and they don't seem to want to fit!!! But these peices have not been installed for about 7 years so maybe they also need some periodic adjustment to allow them to conform back to how they were.
I had heard from several people to always salvage as much of the interior as possible because the replacement parts don't always fit as well. After working on these peices I will have to agree.
Another observation that I made was the quality of the workmanship or lack there of with the Corvette interior in general. On the surface it looks good but over all the fit and finish just seems cheap. Maybe it is just my Vette though......
Thanks for the help and advice.
Wade
But these peices have not been installed for about 7 years so maybe they also need some periodic adjustment to allow them to conform back to how they were. I had heard from several people to always salvage as much of the interior as possible because the replacement parts don't always fit as well. After working on these peices I will have to agree.
Another observation that I made was the quality of the workmanship or lack there of with the Corvette interior in general. On the surface it looks good but over all the fit and finish just seems cheap. Maybe it is just my Vette though......
Thanks for the help and advice.
Wade