68 door panel help
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Pro
Joined: Feb 2002
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From: Lutz FL
68 door panel help
I just got my new (well new to me) door panels delivered. My car is a hack job inside, someone gutted all the 68 stuff, and replaced it with 77. :U
Anyhow, does anything go into the hard plastic inserts? or does that just mount directly to the door frame and thats how you close the door?
Thanks!
Anyhow, does anything go into the hard plastic inserts? or does that just mount directly to the door frame and thats how you close the door?
Thanks!
Safety Car
Joined: Mar 1999
Posts: 3,715
Likes: 1
From: VASS, NC, USA
Re: 68 door panel help (Black68Vette)
Early production 68's had the plastic pull insert only. Later 68's had a pull door handle, like the 69's. So you would have to determine if you have an early or late 68.
Im not sure what seq number it was when they started putting pull door handles on like the 69's
Im not sure what seq number it was when they started putting pull door handles on like the 69's
Racer
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 271
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From: St Louis MO
Re: 68 door panel help (Black68Vette)
I assume you mean the plastic insert grab "slot" in the door (no external handle on the 68s).
If so, there's supposed to be a metal strip between the plastic insert and the door frame. It may be integrated into the door panel.
I'm putting mine back together now. I think I'll add an aluminum strip and a couple fender washers insde the plastic handle insert. I understand that this was discontinued because the plasic handle would pull loose and crack the door panel at the ends.
Gary
If so, there's supposed to be a metal strip between the plastic insert and the door frame. It may be integrated into the door panel.
I'm putting mine back together now. I think I'll add an aluminum strip and a couple fender washers insde the plastic handle insert. I understand that this was discontinued because the plasic handle would pull loose and crack the door panel at the ends.
Gary
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 1999
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From: Pensacola FLA
Re: 68 door panel help (Garys '68)
My original door panels have the metal strip behind the plastic grab handle, embedded into the door panel. I can't tell whats behind the plastic grab handle on my new repo's. If I had to guess, I would guess no metal insert.
The exterior grab handles came after serial number 19,533. This is according to the 68-69 NCRS judging manual.
The exterior grab handles came after serial number 19,533. This is according to the 68-69 NCRS judging manual.
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 38,923
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From: Southbound
Cruise-In II Veteran
Re: 68 door panel help (Black68Vette)
It is my understanding all '68 door panels have the metal "finger tip" inserts in the panel which are used to close the door. Two large sheet metal screws go through these and into the steel door shell. Some '68s (mine included) also have a large plastic door pull handle above the insert which also assists with closing the door. These pull handles are '68 only and much larger than the '69 -up pulls.
:)
:)
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Joined: Feb 2002
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From: Lutz FL
Re: 68 door panel help (68rdstr)
The exterior grab handles came after serial number 19,533. This is according to the 68-69 NCRS judging manual.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 2,157
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From: Pensacola FLA
Re: 68 door panel help (Easy Mike)
Hello MIke,
The original door panels on my 68 had plastic finger tip inserts with the metal strip located underneath, then the door panel fiberboard. All this is attached with two screws that screw into clips attached to the door shell.
The original door panels on my 68 had plastic finger tip inserts with the metal strip located underneath, then the door panel fiberboard. All this is attached with two screws that screw into clips attached to the door shell.
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Feb 2002
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From: Lutz FL
Re: 68 door panel help (68rdstr)
two screws that screw into clips attached to the door shell.
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 2,157
Likes: 0
From: Pensacola FLA
Re: 68 door panel help (Black68Vette)
There like j-clips. They fit over a hole in the door shell. I think its a number 8
pan head interior screw with a washer. There are two.
[Modified by 68rdstr, 1:36 PM 3/11/2002]
pan head interior screw with a washer. There are two.
[Modified by 68rdstr, 1:36 PM 3/11/2002]
Safety Car
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 4,143
Likes: 0
Re: 68 door panel help (Black68Vette)
Just a check, but you do have the correct 'push' button doors, right ?
My door panels on my early '68 <#6948> :chevy
don't 'fit' quite right on the doors and I'm suffering from previous owners replacing parts with '69 stuff which is a pain in the %$#! :mad
Let us know how your project works out - wish I could see your vette in person ! :D
My door panels on my early '68 <#6948> :chevy
don't 'fit' quite right on the doors and I'm suffering from previous owners replacing parts with '69 stuff which is a pain in the %$#! :mad
Let us know how your project works out - wish I could see your vette in person ! :D
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 536
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From: Lutz FL
Re: 68 door panel help (verskel)
Just a check, but you do have the correct 'push' button doors, right ?
My door panels on my early '68 <#6948> :chevy
don't 'fit' quite right on the doors and I'm suffering from previous owners replacing parts with '69 stuff which is a pain in the %$#! :mad
Let us know how your project works out - wish I could see your vette in person ! :D
My door panels on my early '68 <#6948> :chevy
don't 'fit' quite right on the doors and I'm suffering from previous owners replacing parts with '69 stuff which is a pain in the %$#! :mad
Let us know how your project works out - wish I could see your vette in person ! :D
If you want to cry a little, I can post some interior pics... Luckily i've managed to get a 68 console plate, 68 gauge panel, A/C outlet and most of the rest of the stuff... haven't gotten to replacing it yet, as I want to do it all at once.
Mine's from a little later in 68 than yours, around mid February.... Need to get me some 68 seats at a reasonable price.. sigh....
But as an interesting tidbit, I have a solid rear valance panel (no exhaust cutouts) with the correct reverse lights... that had undercar exhaust still just stuck under it, with the pipes stuck out under the valance panel... Well, I just had to go and put the sidepipes on ;) :cheers:
[Modified by Black68Vette, 9:28 PM 3/11/2002]
[Modified by Black68Vette, 9:30 PM 3/11/2002]
Thread Starter
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From: Lutz FL
Re: 68 door panel help (68rdstr)
Lucky You, I'm still looking for a 68 only AC wiper switch plate.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 2,157
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From: Pensacola FLA
Re: 68 door panel help (Black68Vette)
The 68 has a single skinny air deflector mounted in the center ac distribution duct. The wiper switch plate fits around it
The 69 and up have 2 deflectors mounted in the wiper switch plate. The 69 and up also have a lever to open and close the air flow.
The 69 and up have 2 deflectors mounted in the wiper switch plate. The 69 and up also have a lever to open and close the air flow.
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Feb 2002
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From: Lutz FL
Re: 68 door panel help (68rdstr)
Yep, I got a 69.. oh well... i'm still just restoring to "1968 crappy driver condition" really, can't stand all the 77 stuff in her, don't have the money to buy it all new at once. Any good seat resources for a reasonable price anyone? Early 68 style....
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 2,157
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From: Pensacola FLA
Re: 68 door panel help (Black68Vette)
That ever popular ebay has once in awhile. Maybe your lucky in one way. If your ac distribution duct is 69 and up. Your wiper plate should fit this ductwork. If you have the 68 duct work, it want fit. 68's ya gotta love'em.
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Joined: Feb 2002
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From: Lutz FL
Re: 68 door panel help (68rdstr)
68's ya gotta love'em.
And I think I got lucky, cause the vent fits ok with the 77 dash.. who knows, she may not have been an AC car back in 68... sigh, no bloomington gold for me!