68 side vents need help.
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 602
Likes: 0
From: indianapolis indiana
68 side vents need help.
I am in the process of installing chrome side vents on the 68. It seems to be going well with the exception of the rear vents on both sides. They are impossible to get to. How do I do this without disassembling the fender? Any ideas?
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 3,330
Likes: 13
From: Europe , Luxembourg
Re: 68 side vents need help. (vette-freak)
Hi
What's the problem ?
Don't they fit the hole ? Or can you not reach the nut ?
I also have this on my 68 and I love them.
:seeya
Gunther
What's the problem ?
Don't they fit the hole ? Or can you not reach the nut ?
I also have this on my 68 and I love them.
:seeya
Gunther
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 1999
Posts: 2,845
Likes: 2
From: Apex NC
Re: 68 side vents need help. (vette-freak)
What are you trying to reach? All you do is drill the holes, insert the well nuts, put in the insert and tighten the screws. If you're not using the correct well nuts, that's the problem. All of the catalog vendors sell them.
Shannon
Shannon
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 4,971
Likes: 9
From: The reason time exists is so everything doesn't happen at once
Re: 68 side vents need help. (vette-freak)
Is there a difference between the 68 and 69 side vents? The chrome inserts were only available as a factory option in 1969.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 1999
Posts: 2,845
Likes: 2
From: Apex NC
Re: 68 side vents need help. (6t9l4t6)
There is no difference between the 68 and 69 fenders. BigBadOrange, do you have the inserts now? If you have the inserts with the chrome edge but painted "vent' you should be able to strip off the paint to reveal the chrome on the entier insert.
Shannon
Shannon
Pro
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 641
Likes: 2
From: Storm lake Iowa
Re: 68 side vents need help. (BigBadOrange)
Yo, BBO...I have a set of chrome ones on the way for my '68, but only 7...if you replace yours, are you interested in selling the old ones? Assuming you can't strip away paint to reaveal chrome, I'd just get the one I need plated.
-Roy
-Roy
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
5 Best & 5 Worst Corvette Daily Drivers
Joe Kucinski
The Headlights of Every Corvette Generation Explained
Joe Kucinski
5 Best & 5 Most Overrated Corvette Track Packages of All Time!
Joe Kucinski
Every 2027 Corvette Engine Explained
Joe Kucinski
Designer Imagines A Corvette That Looks More Like a Corvette Than the Corvette
Verdad Gallardo
10 Ugly Corvettes That We Still Kinda Love
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer
Brett Foote
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems
Pouria Savadkouei
Safety Car
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 4,143
Likes: 0
Re: 68 side vents need help. (vette-freak)
Unfortunately there are 2 types of 1968 Corvette fenders. :eek:
There are those that are for 'heater' only cars & those that came with A/C.
For some reason, the 'heater' only cars have the last gill painted black and yes there is NO hole...... :crazy:
Sorry - but GM didn't put chrome in the gills from the factory & you'll have to modify your fender to make them work. The other 3 should fit fine.
There are those that are for 'heater' only cars & those that came with A/C.
For some reason, the 'heater' only cars have the last gill painted black and yes there is NO hole...... :crazy:
Sorry - but GM didn't put chrome in the gills from the factory & you'll have to modify your fender to make them work. The other 3 should fit fine.
Race Director
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 14,376
Likes: 1
From: Check this riff........
Re: 68 side vents need help. (Grinchia)
grinchia, If I can find the 8th I would be VERY interested. Maybe a heads up trade? Because they are pot metal, the local chrome shop says that they will not guanetee the result. SO I figure I will sell them to someone who wants them as is.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 1999
Posts: 2,845
Likes: 2
From: Apex NC
Re: 68 side vents need help. (verskel)
There's no mention in the latest NCRS judging manual regarding these 2 different fender configurations. Every 68 and 69 that I've seen with original fenders has the 4th one blocked off and blacked out. The louver inserts will still fit in the 4th slot with no problem.
Safety Car
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 4,143
Likes: 0
Re: 68 side vents need help. (sb69coupe)
There's no mention in the latest NCRS judging manual regarding these 2 different fender configurations. Every 68 and 69 that I've seen with original fenders has the 4th one blocked off and blacked out. The louver inserts will still fit in the 4th slot with no problem.
Also, 68 through 69 vettes vary since there were changes mid-year for both models. I'm not completely sure about the vents but based on experience it seems that ALL heater only cars have the 4th vent blocked / blacked out...etc.
There might be a recess but from memory I did not recall this.
early 68's with A/C & early 68's without A/C
late 68's with A/C & late 68's without A/C
early 69's with A/C & early 68's without A/C
late 69's with A/C & late 69's without A/C
Make up 8 assembly types without even separating the details between small block / big block cars.
Even NCRS is not the all knowing source for information.
Heck, GM seems to have lost track (although it's burried somewhere in paperwork).
:chevy
Team Owner
Joined: Feb 1999
Posts: 34,455
Likes: 665
From: Republic of Texas
Re: 68 side vents need help. (sb69coupe)
There's no mention in the latest NCRS judging manual regarding these 2 different fender configurations. Every 68 and 69 that I've seen with original fenders has the 4th one blocked off and blacked out. The louver inserts will still fit in the 4th slot with no problem.
My '68 had original A/C and the last vent is blocked off. My chrome vents fit w/ no problems. :cheers:
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 2,131
Likes: 4
From: May help you? You can sure as hell try!
Re: 68 side vents need help. (Corey 68)
The 4th vent actually covers the plenum that directs air from the base of the windshield to the floor vents in the kick panels. Without the block off, the air intended for cabin ventilation would vent out the fender and the kick panel vents would be useless. Removing the block off would not improve airflow through the engine compartment and would ruin the cabin ventilation. Therefore, there is no good reason why it would not be blocked off. Sounds like Bubba's been at work on some of these cars.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 6,938
Likes: 1
From: San Diego CA
Re: 68 side vents need help. (68rdstr)
My early 68 with A/C has the 4th vent blocked off. Also the driverside interior vent plenum is blocked off from the factory allowing no manual vent.
:withstupid:
Safety Car
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 4,143
Likes: 0
Re: 68 side vents need help. (Cali,68,L-79)
My early 68 with A/C has the 4th vent blocked off. Also the driverside interior vent plenum is blocked off from the factory allowing no manual vent.
:withstupid:
:withstupid:
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 118
Likes: 0
From: st louis mo
Re: 68 side vents need help. (vette-freak)
ALL 68 and 69 fenders are the same whether they have a/c or not! The fourth gill is allways blacked out and blocked off from the factory. The only time it wasn't blacked out was on a tuxedo black car of course. The louver option was a 69 only option and wasn't even offered durring early production, however they will fit just the same on a 68. Just make sure you drill the holes correctly good luck!
