wiper cowl for 1968
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 424
Likes: 3
From: Presently working under contract in Alabama
wiper cowl for 1968
Where can I find and order a replacement cowl or door for my 68?? Not sure what the exact name is.
I have had my car in this shop since I bought it. They have been working part time on the vacuum system and wipers while doing some suspension work and some other maintenance.
Apparently someone was careless with my wiper cowl. I inspect the car every week and the wiper cowl is now on after being off for a period of time. There are some dents to the top of it as if it was bent or hit with something. The cowl is apparently two parts and has separated on the drivers side from the trauma it suffered.
I am pretty livid. I have been provided these guys with diagrams and trouble shooting guides. I am stuck in this small town on a project and thought having a local shop close to work would be good since I could keep an eye on things. They have been dragging *** for months and still have not chased down all the issues.
They do restoration work and body work as well as alignment and suspension work. The owner is a real nice guy but I have run out of patience.
Anyway. Sorry for venting. I am just a little upset. Any help with where I can find a replacement cowl would be appreciated.
Happy New Year to my fellow Vetters.
I have had my car in this shop since I bought it. They have been working part time on the vacuum system and wipers while doing some suspension work and some other maintenance.
Apparently someone was careless with my wiper cowl. I inspect the car every week and the wiper cowl is now on after being off for a period of time. There are some dents to the top of it as if it was bent or hit with something. The cowl is apparently two parts and has separated on the drivers side from the trauma it suffered.
I am pretty livid. I have been provided these guys with diagrams and trouble shooting guides. I am stuck in this small town on a project and thought having a local shop close to work would be good since I could keep an eye on things. They have been dragging *** for months and still have not chased down all the issues.
They do restoration work and body work as well as alignment and suspension work. The owner is a real nice guy but I have run out of patience.
Anyway. Sorry for venting. I am just a little upset. Any help with where I can find a replacement cowl would be appreciated.
Happy New Year to my fellow Vetters.
Last edited by Stingray-Jer; Jan 1, 2013 at 10:44 PM.
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 12,698
Likes: 3,153
From: Shamong, NJ
When you say cowl, are you referring to the wiper door? If so, they are not repro-ed. If you need one, you'll have to find a good used one.
You have to be careful when shopping for one, as they often have the side bolts broken off in the door, or the threads in the door, buggered up. Also, make sure you get a 68 door, as they are slightly different on the ends where the molding attaches.
Try Steve at C & S Corvettes in Sarasota, Fla. I think Steve was repairing the threads in the wiper doors, and had a stock of restored ones. Other vendors repair them also.
You have to be careful when shopping for one, as they often have the side bolts broken off in the door, or the threads in the door, buggered up. Also, make sure you get a 68 door, as they are slightly different on the ends where the molding attaches.
Try Steve at C & S Corvettes in Sarasota, Fla. I think Steve was repairing the threads in the wiper doors, and had a stock of restored ones. Other vendors repair them also.
Last edited by gbvette62; Jan 1, 2013 at 10:50 PM.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 424
Likes: 3
From: Presently working under contract in Alabama
Yes sir, the door. It was removed because the wiper motor was replaced.
Thanks very much. I will try to get a photo of it and post it tomorrow.
Maybe you can give me your opinion.
Thanks very much. I will try to get a photo of it and post it tomorrow.
Maybe you can give me your opinion.
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 4,121
Likes: 1,231
From: Madeira Beach, FL
2024 C8 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
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Jer,
First get them to reimburse you for a replacement wiper door.
Check on this forum in the parts section they are often listed for sale.
1960fi has them often. They are not cheap because they are not currently available. No one repops them.
Just a side note, I did a wiper motor replaacement in my 68 coupe.
There was no reason to remove the wiper door to replace the motor.
They are deliccate at their mounting points and often break.
It sounds like this shop is not corvette savvy.
Get squared away with the owner over the broken part(s) and politely pay him for services so far rendered than delicately get your car the hell out of that shop.
Find someone more familar with vettes.
I do what I can cause I don't need things broken.
There was no reason in my mind for you to end with a broken wiper door.
The systems not complicated if you understand how it works.
They sound like they do not.
Marshal
First get them to reimburse you for a replacement wiper door.
Check on this forum in the parts section they are often listed for sale.
1960fi has them often. They are not cheap because they are not currently available. No one repops them.
Just a side note, I did a wiper motor replaacement in my 68 coupe.
There was no reason to remove the wiper door to replace the motor.
They are deliccate at their mounting points and often break.
It sounds like this shop is not corvette savvy.
Get squared away with the owner over the broken part(s) and politely pay him for services so far rendered than delicately get your car the hell out of that shop.
Find someone more familar with vettes.
I do what I can cause I don't need things broken.
There was no reason in my mind for you to end with a broken wiper door.
The systems not complicated if you understand how it works.
They sound like they do not.
Marshal
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 2,131
Likes: 4
From: May help you? You can sure as hell try!
I'm not sure if you are referring to the wiper door or the stainless trim that is painted body color (except for a thin, narrow bead), that clips onto the wiper door up and butts up close to the windshield.
If it's the door itself that got damaged a good welder can fix it as it is an aluminum casting. Be very particular that the pieces go back together as they were originally so the alignment of the door and linkage are unaffected.
If it's the stainless trim piece, that too can be fixed. There are shops that advertise in hemmings that refurbish and polish old trim. They could work out minor dents.
As others have mentioned you may be able to find a good used replacement for less than a repair would cost, however, the prices on used parts for these cars has been going nowhere but up over the years.
It all costs money so get your repair shop to agree to pay for the damage they caused. If they don't agree, get the car the heck out of there and find someone else.
If it's the door itself that got damaged a good welder can fix it as it is an aluminum casting. Be very particular that the pieces go back together as they were originally so the alignment of the door and linkage are unaffected.
If it's the stainless trim piece, that too can be fixed. There are shops that advertise in hemmings that refurbish and polish old trim. They could work out minor dents.
As others have mentioned you may be able to find a good used replacement for less than a repair would cost, however, the prices on used parts for these cars has been going nowhere but up over the years.
It all costs money so get your repair shop to agree to pay for the damage they caused. If they don't agree, get the car the heck out of there and find someone else.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 2,023
Likes: 6
From: Austin Tx
The trim piece is held on by clips, I believe 4 of them. If the trim is seperating, it sounds like one of the clips got knocked loose - not a big deal.
Sounds like the wiper door has been dented? That too is not that big a deal. The dents need to be removed, and the wiper door repainted.
The big issue is that it appears someone in the shop was careless, and allowed the peice to get damaged. From the damage is sounds like maybe it was being stored somewhere high, and it fell off? The shop was obviously careless!
Sounds like maybe you just saw found out about this? Have you talked to the shop owner? I would talk to the owner and demand an explanation. Something like this should not be able to happen. But give the owner a chance to make it right.
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Former Vendor
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 6,215
Likes: 152
From: spring branch Texas
Where can I find and order a replacement cowl or door for my 68?? Not sure what the exact name is.
I have had my car in this shop since I bought it. They have been working part time on the vacuum system and wipers while doing some suspension work and some other maintenance.
Apparently someone was careless with my wiper cowl. I inspect the car every week and the wiper cowl is now on after being off for a period of time. There are some dents to the top of it as if it was bent or hit with something. The cowl is apparently two parts and has separated on the drivers side from the trauma it suffered.
I am pretty livid. I have been provided these guys with diagrams and trouble shooting guides. I am stuck in this small town on a project and thought having a local shop close to work would be good since I could keep an eye on things. They have been dragging *** for months and still have not chased down all the issues.
They do restoration work and body work as well as alignment and suspension work. The owner is a real nice guy but I have run out of patience.
Anyway. Sorry for venting. I am just a little upset. Any help with where I can find a replacement cowl would be appreciated.
Happy New Year to my fellow Vetters.
I have had my car in this shop since I bought it. They have been working part time on the vacuum system and wipers while doing some suspension work and some other maintenance.
Apparently someone was careless with my wiper cowl. I inspect the car every week and the wiper cowl is now on after being off for a period of time. There are some dents to the top of it as if it was bent or hit with something. The cowl is apparently two parts and has separated on the drivers side from the trauma it suffered.
I am pretty livid. I have been provided these guys with diagrams and trouble shooting guides. I am stuck in this small town on a project and thought having a local shop close to work would be good since I could keep an eye on things. They have been dragging *** for months and still have not chased down all the issues.
They do restoration work and body work as well as alignment and suspension work. The owner is a real nice guy but I have run out of patience.
Anyway. Sorry for venting. I am just a little upset. Any help with where I can find a replacement cowl would be appreciated.
Happy New Year to my fellow Vetters.
I will have any pieces needed for your wiper assembly.
Bty, curious where you/the shop found a correct '68 wiper motor, as they are one year only and use a particular wiring configuration.
George
210 748 4693
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 4,121
Likes: 1,231
From: Madeira Beach, FL
2024 C8 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2024 C2 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2023 C2 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2020 C3 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
Gentlemen,
Auto Zone has Delco rebuilt '68 only wiper motors if needed.
Around $56.00 + shipping to your home if desired.
I put one on about a year ago and works great.
Marshal
Auto Zone has Delco rebuilt '68 only wiper motors if needed.
Around $56.00 + shipping to your home if desired.
I put one on about a year ago and works great.
Marshal
Race Director
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 12,142
Likes: 54
From: Taylor Michigan
Sometimes the parts are repackaged by parts stores and its very possible the Corvette parts stores too...just reboxed or even plastic bagged and renumbered as a house brand