How bad can it fit!
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Sep 2015
Posts: 48
Likes: 0
How bad can it fit!
I have done a little restoration on my 72 Corvette.
I have bought alot of new things from corevtte central and others.
But everything i´m mounting fits like crap.
For example i mounted new front bumber outer brackets with new extensions.
I don´t know if the bracket or the extension was to long but i had to cut 20mm and reweld the extension, this is new stuff!
I also bought a new handbrake console and shifter console.
I got the shifter console in place with alot of force! i wanted it longer in but it isn´t possible(maybe with a crowbar
)
The handbrake console fits bad aswell and the small plate that you should fit in the console doesn´t fit at all just vobbling around in there.
This goes on and on on every new part i´m installing.
Can´t be just me with these problems.
Or maybe people is used to work with this very bad quality?
Took a couple of Pictures.
I have bought alot of new things from corevtte central and others.
But everything i´m mounting fits like crap.
For example i mounted new front bumber outer brackets with new extensions.
I don´t know if the bracket or the extension was to long but i had to cut 20mm and reweld the extension, this is new stuff!
I also bought a new handbrake console and shifter console.
I got the shifter console in place with alot of force! i wanted it longer in but it isn´t possible(maybe with a crowbar
)The handbrake console fits bad aswell and the small plate that you should fit in the console doesn´t fit at all just vobbling around in there.
This goes on and on on every new part i´m installing.
Can´t be just me with these problems.
Or maybe people is used to work with this very bad quality?
Took a couple of Pictures.
Last edited by Robban f; Dec 26, 2015 at 01:09 PM.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 31,267
Likes: 4,362
From: Westminster Maryland
Hi Rf,
There is quite a bit of front/rear adjustment on the bumper bracket where it bolts to the frame extension and where the extension bolts to the frame.
Did you look to see if you could get some help there?
Regards,
Alan
There is quite a bit of front/rear adjustment on the bumper bracket where it bolts to the frame extension and where the extension bolts to the frame.
Did you look to see if you could get some help there?
Regards,
Alan
Last edited by Alan 71; Dec 26, 2015 at 02:39 PM.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 31,267
Likes: 4,362
From: Westminster Maryland
Hi Rf,
It looks like your console are 'spread' too. How much padding and carpet are under them, and how far up the sides of the tunnel does it extend?
The amount of space you have to install the shifter console and e-brake console depends entirely on how the center gauge bezel is mounted in the dash pads.
If the bezel is 'tipped' too much or allowed to drop down even a little bit it limits the space for the 2 consoles because of the seat bulkhead at the rear is a fixed point.
I think you shifter console needs to be slid forward and up at it's front which will give the extra 3/8" in it looks like you need to seat the e-brake console.
Interiors are NOT easy under the best of circumstances.
Regards,
Alan
It looks like your console are 'spread' too. How much padding and carpet are under them, and how far up the sides of the tunnel does it extend?
The amount of space you have to install the shifter console and e-brake console depends entirely on how the center gauge bezel is mounted in the dash pads.
If the bezel is 'tipped' too much or allowed to drop down even a little bit it limits the space for the 2 consoles because of the seat bulkhead at the rear is a fixed point.
I think you shifter console needs to be slid forward and up at it's front which will give the extra 3/8" in it looks like you need to seat the e-brake console.
Interiors are NOT easy under the best of circumstances.
Regards,
Alan
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Sep 2015
Posts: 48
Likes: 0
Hi Allan and thanks for taking your time.
I have adjusted it as far back i can, regardless what i did i had to cut the extender, probaly something wrong with the parts, i don´t Think the car has been thrinking
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Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Sep 2015
Posts: 48
Likes: 0
Hi Rf,
It looks like your console are 'spread' too. How much padding and carpet are under them, and how far up the sides of the tunnel does it extend?
The amount of space you have to install the shifter console and e-brake console depends entirely on how the center gauge bezel is mounted in the dash pads.
If the bezel is 'tipped' too much or allowed to drop down even a little bit it limits the space for the 2 consoles because of the seat bulkhead at the rear is a fixed point.
I think you shifter console needs to be slid forward and up at it's front which will give the extra 3/8" in it looks like you need to seat the e-brake console.
Interiors are NOT easy under the best of circumstances.
Regards,
Alan
It looks like your console are 'spread' too. How much padding and carpet are under them, and how far up the sides of the tunnel does it extend?
The amount of space you have to install the shifter console and e-brake console depends entirely on how the center gauge bezel is mounted in the dash pads.
If the bezel is 'tipped' too much or allowed to drop down even a little bit it limits the space for the 2 consoles because of the seat bulkhead at the rear is a fixed point.
I think you shifter console needs to be slid forward and up at it's front which will give the extra 3/8" in it looks like you need to seat the e-brake console.
Interiors are NOT easy under the best of circumstances.
Regards,
Alan
The small piece in the end of the console seems mounted in the shifter console?.
If i do that the "linecover" for the handbrake doesn´t pas.
I can´t get the shifter console further front because it sits against the spedometer console, i doesn´t dare to push the shifter console any harder against that speedo console.
The shifter console was way of from the origanal mounting holes in the car!!
As i said i need to get it more forward but that i very hard!
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 5,814
Likes: 414
From: Pittsburgh suburbs Pa.
Aftermarket parts are not what they should be but part of the problem is that many of these cars have also been bubbafied so many times that even original parts wouldn't fit. Then some of the adjoining parts might have been replaced already with poor quality aftermarket parts so it is emphasizing the problem. If everyone had a car like Allen's you would find that even with aftermarket parts there would be a better chance of most parts fitting since he bought it new and always cared for it. Unfortunately I've had my share of fit problems on the many corvettes that I owned and restored but the end result always works out.
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Sep 2015
Posts: 48
Likes: 0
Hi Rf,
It looks like your console are 'spread' too. How much padding and carpet are under them, and how far up the sides of the tunnel does it extend?
The amount of space you have to install the shifter console and e-brake console depends entirely on how the center gauge bezel is mounted in the dash pads.
If the bezel is 'tipped' too much or allowed to drop down even a little bit it limits the space for the 2 consoles because of the seat bulkhead at the rear is a fixed point.
I think you shifter console needs to be slid forward and up at it's front which will give the extra 3/8" in it looks like you need to seat the e-brake console.
Interiors are NOT easy under the best of circumstances.
Regards,
Alan
It looks like your console are 'spread' too. How much padding and carpet are under them, and how far up the sides of the tunnel does it extend?
The amount of space you have to install the shifter console and e-brake console depends entirely on how the center gauge bezel is mounted in the dash pads.
If the bezel is 'tipped' too much or allowed to drop down even a little bit it limits the space for the 2 consoles because of the seat bulkhead at the rear is a fixed point.
I think you shifter console needs to be slid forward and up at it's front which will give the extra 3/8" in it looks like you need to seat the e-brake console.
Interiors are NOT easy under the best of circumstances.
Regards,
Alan
The small piece in the end of the console seems mounted in the shifter console?.
If i do that the "linecover" for the handbrake doesn´t pas.
I can´t get the shifter console further front because it sits against the spedometer console, i doesn´t dare to push the shifter console any harder against that speedo console.
The shifter console was way of from the origanal mounting holes in the car!!
As i said i need to get it more forward but that i very hard!
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 8,516
Likes: 505
From: Bussey, IA
My big question to Alan is - Do you take things apart to take pictures for each question you answer or is your file that HUGE?? And if your file is that huge, how do you remember and keep track of where everything is? You are AMAZING my friend!
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 14,948
Likes: 3,351
From: NYC NY
Factory tolerances, abuse, and age combined with the lack of precision in reproduction parts all contribute to why nothing ever seems to bolt on.
Reproduction parts for '55 - '57 Chevys are even worse.
Reproduction parts for '55 - '57 Chevys are even worse.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 31,267
Likes: 4,362
From: Westminster Maryland
Hi Rf,
I think part of your situation might be caused by having some of the dash parts screwed tightly in place while installing others.
The center gauge cluster must be free to move forward and backward while the shifter console and e-brake console are installed.
It's the length of the 2 consoles combined that determine the position of the bottom of the center gauge bezel and lower inner corners of the dash pads.
I looked at pictures of several reproduction shifter consoles and they appear to have the tilted lip you mention.
Has your's been cut off?
How about a couple of pictures of the fit of the front of the shifter console at the gauge bezel and dash pads? I think that's were your trouble begins.
Regards,
Alan
I think part of your situation might be caused by having some of the dash parts screwed tightly in place while installing others.
The center gauge cluster must be free to move forward and backward while the shifter console and e-brake console are installed.
It's the length of the 2 consoles combined that determine the position of the bottom of the center gauge bezel and lower inner corners of the dash pads.
I looked at pictures of several reproduction shifter consoles and they appear to have the tilted lip you mention.
Has your's been cut off?
How about a couple of pictures of the fit of the front of the shifter console at the gauge bezel and dash pads? I think that's were your trouble begins.
Regards,
Alan
Last edited by Alan 71; Dec 27, 2015 at 09:17 AM.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 31,267
Likes: 4,362
From: Westminster Maryland
Hi AT,
There are now about 8500 pictures and the number is growing by about 1000 per year.
Since I took all of them I can immediately know if I have one to use for a member's question.
I have them divided up in such a way that I can find what I'm looking for pretty quickly.
Since I continue to tinker with my car I continue to have opportunities to take pictures of things I don't presently have.
I do take new pictures to specifically use in a reply when it's possible. For instance a couple of the pics for this thread were old and a couple were new.
Regards,
Alan
There are now about 8500 pictures and the number is growing by about 1000 per year.
Since I took all of them I can immediately know if I have one to use for a member's question.
I have them divided up in such a way that I can find what I'm looking for pretty quickly.
Since I continue to tinker with my car I continue to have opportunities to take pictures of things I don't presently have.
I do take new pictures to specifically use in a reply when it's possible. For instance a couple of the pics for this thread were old and a couple were new.
Regards,
Alan
Racer
Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 383
Likes: 16
From: SARNIA ONTARIO
Allan I am like a lot of members here who daily come here to learn. Yes I do have the AIM but for myself there is nothing like having a nice picture to reference so thank you for contributing. Not forgetting the others who help also THANKS everyone. Phil
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Sep 2015
Posts: 48
Likes: 0
Hi Rf,
I think part of your situation might be caused by having some of the dash parts screwed tightly in place while installing others.
The center gauge cluster must be free to move forward and backward while the shifter console and e-brake console are installed.
It's the length of the 2 consoles combined that determine the position of the bottom of the center gauge bezel and lower inner corners of the dash pads.
I looked at pictures of several reproduction shifter consoles and they appear to have the tilted lip you mention.
Has your's been cut off?
How about a couple of pictures of the fit of the front of the shifter console at the gauge bezel and dash pads? I think that's were your trouble begins.
Regards,
Alan
I think part of your situation might be caused by having some of the dash parts screwed tightly in place while installing others.
The center gauge cluster must be free to move forward and backward while the shifter console and e-brake console are installed.
It's the length of the 2 consoles combined that determine the position of the bottom of the center gauge bezel and lower inner corners of the dash pads.
I looked at pictures of several reproduction shifter consoles and they appear to have the tilted lip you mention.
Has your's been cut off?
How about a couple of pictures of the fit of the front of the shifter console at the gauge bezel and dash pads? I think that's were your trouble begins.
Regards,
Alan
I have the spedo dash fitted with only 2 screws, i have now got the shifter console more forward, regardless the handbrake console fits pretty bad, the problem is the shifter console is to fat where the handbrake console going over, Will take a couple of pictures of that.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 2,187
Likes: 830
From: Chapel Hill NC
2025 c3 ('68-'73) of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
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2025 C8 Stingray of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
It is my belief the fit of these vehicles wasn't that great when new. As they were driven everything twists, bends, shrinks, expands, etc. Add bubba, accidents, poor fitting after market parts and there you are.
On my 68 I had every bolt/screw very loose from the parking brake cover to the wiper switch and after a lengthy time of wiggling and pushing and incremental tightening of fasteners did I get everything to fit at a acceptable level
On my 68 I had every bolt/screw very loose from the parking brake cover to the wiper switch and after a lengthy time of wiggling and pushing and incremental tightening of fasteners did I get everything to fit at a acceptable level
Is my vette stock?? HAHA
Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 20,209
Likes: 9,347
From: Im not allowed to tell you
2020 C3 of the Year Finalist - Modified
2020 Corvette of the Year Finalist (performance mods)
2019 C3 of Year Winner (performance mods)
2016 C3 of Year Finalist
Alan you should make a library. I would love to see all those pics
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 31,267
Likes: 4,362
From: Westminster Maryland
Hi Rf,
The 'spread' is why I asked about the carpet and underlayment.
If it extends too far up the sides of the tunnel it cause the consoles to spread.
I installed the consoles before trimming the carpet and padding. I left it so only about 1" of the carpet extends up under the console sides.
You can see that in this pic.
I continued to cut the carpet so it followed the line of the bottom edge of the console on each side.
I hadn't cut for the e-brake console yet in the pic.
I put the e-brake console back where I wanted it to sit, marked the carpet, removed the console, cut the carpet, and then put the console back in place.
Note in this picture that you have to be careful how much you cut at the very rear of the footwell carpet on the tunnel so that the rear bulkhead carpet covers the cut edge. If you cut too much there'll be a gap between the two.
Regards,
Alan
Note it only extends about 1" under the console side.
The 'spread' is why I asked about the carpet and underlayment.
If it extends too far up the sides of the tunnel it cause the consoles to spread.
I installed the consoles before trimming the carpet and padding. I left it so only about 1" of the carpet extends up under the console sides.
You can see that in this pic.
I continued to cut the carpet so it followed the line of the bottom edge of the console on each side.
I hadn't cut for the e-brake console yet in the pic.
I put the e-brake console back where I wanted it to sit, marked the carpet, removed the console, cut the carpet, and then put the console back in place.
Note in this picture that you have to be careful how much you cut at the very rear of the footwell carpet on the tunnel so that the rear bulkhead carpet covers the cut edge. If you cut too much there'll be a gap between the two.
Regards,
Alan
Note it only extends about 1" under the console side.
Last edited by Alan 71; Dec 27, 2015 at 01:17 PM.