When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
Hi fellas so pissed today, First I've restored at least a dozen cars in my 40 years of working on cars and all of the cars I restored are cars from the 30's 50's and early 60's and never had to deal with plastic parts. My 85 Vette is my first Vette and my dream car but I have to say all the plastic on this Vette has me so pissed. I just rehabbed the entire dash and at least 60% of the screw holes were broken or cracked and needed repair. Today I decided to change out the fan sensor and
the connector crumbled. In my hands, things happen. I then went to change the starter ignition relay under the distributor cap. That harness as well crumbled. In my hands. I know the car is 35 years old but it's ridiculous for a car that sold new for almost 30 grand. Thank god I know what I'm doing and I don't need to have these repairs done by a professional...I love the car and wouldn't think of selling her...I just needed to get this off my chest, thanks for listening...
I imagine people have tried to tighten down screws on it over the years to the point of cracking the plastic. As far as plastic relays and whatnot, thirty years is a good run. Happens.
Early plastic compounds didn't have plasticizers with long enough lifespans. Hence they would get brittle and break over time.
Yep. Get brittle w/ age. I'm no chemist, but having restored "a few" cars in the past 50 years in the hobby, I'm all too aware of the problem.
Short of replacing a part with new tabs, I'm "all ears" if someone has a way to restore broken tabs. I've resorted to fabricating metal tabs and securing them with epoxy, but that doesn't always work (and is kind of a shade tree "kluge", I have to admit).
On my tabs, I used the spare ABS plastic I got when I removed the front speakers from the dash to upgrade to larger speakers. It's the same ABS that was produced in 85 and used a plastic soldering tool and remade all the broken tabs and re-drilled the holes and I think its stronger than original made. My issue is about 60% of the tabs were broken. I know from other owners the the 85 is a rattling machine if everything is not secured properly. The only thing I want to hear rolling down the road is my exhaust...if it means spending hours fixing all my weak points I'll have to do it....
i ran into this when replacing the shift boot. They used press on steel plates and the plastic tubes broke trying to get the screws out.
I made some inserts with the printer that solved the problem
Great job, I Also had the same issue with mine, different approach though, I found
small metal tube and melted ABS plastic in it, drilled it out, heated one more time and added an insert...
Most of these plastic dash pieces are available I believe. As far as electrical connectors, it is no surprise they are crap after 30 years. Heat is hard on components and these engine bays don't have much ventilation of heat.
If you think your vette's plastic is brittle after 35 years just pray you don't have a slip and fall in your "golden years." I've cracked a few tabs myself. LOL
From: Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction.
St. Jude '03 thru '24
Use caution pulling on the wire harnesses. Mine had the insulation shrinking away from the terminated ends exposing the cooper to touch one another. Mostly in the firewall area. A run to the junk yard to clipoff engine bay connectors is in order. I chose Camaros and Firebirds rather than paying the CET.
Use caution pulling on the wire harnesses. Mine had the insulation shrinking away from the terminated ends exposing the cooper to touch one another. Mostly in the firewall area. A run to the junk yard to clipoff engine bay connectors is in order. I chose Camaros and Firebirds rather than paying the CET.
Pissed
