Taillight Louvers
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Joined: Sep 2003
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From: Winterthur Switzerland ZH
Taillight Louvers
Today i received the Taillight Louvers from Zip-Corvette for my '87 corvette, but those sticks won't get in the slot around the light.
Have somebody had the same problem?
Maybe some of you guys think: "fortunately, they don't fit", hehe...but i like them ;)
[Modified by cyberblast, 1:33 PM 11/21/2003]
Have somebody had the same problem?
Maybe some of you guys think: "fortunately, they don't fit", hehe...but i like them ;)
[Modified by cyberblast, 1:33 PM 11/21/2003]
Pro
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 719
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From: Northern KY.... Just 3 hours to Las Vegas in a 767
Re: Taillight Louvers (cyberblast)
I bought a set of these for the 86 I had. They are a PITA. If I remember correctly, I backed out the screws for the lenses slightly and then popped the louvers in. Then used a very small screwdriver to retighten the lenses. Once you get these louvers in, they are almost impossible to remove. My 93 has the type that uses the existing lens screws. You might want to shop around at Eklers or Mid America to see if theirs uses the tabs or if they have the newer type that uses the lens screws.
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Joined: Sep 2003
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From: Winterthur Switzerland ZH
Re: Taillight Louvers (4-ACES)
at some places i can pull those sticks in easily, but only on one side, top or bottom. where exactly are you screws? do you remember? is it a bad idea to hammer those sticks in? i can't pull them in with plain hands.
Pro
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 719
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From: Northern KY.... Just 3 hours to Las Vegas in a 767
Re: Taillight Louvers (cyberblast)
You're right...the screws are not accessable on the 87. I confused the 81 that I had w/ the 86. If I recall, the louvers snap in place between the lens and the housing at the top and bottom w/ little tabs. DONT hammer on em. Try a little lithium grease or vasoline and try to push them in. Like I said, once you get them in, you'll play hell to get them out.
Drifting
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 1,652
Likes: 2
From: 1990 383 Stroker Baltimore Maryland
Re: Taillight Louvers (cyberblast)
What I did before I installed them was put a thin layer of weather strip cement on them. It is black like the louver and can come off without too much problem. :rofl:
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 1,108
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From: Ft. Walton Bch. Florida
Re: Taillight Louvers (vettefast)
I called Mid America about a note they should put on the instructions. I told them I had some because of the position of the lights in the housing I couldn't get the wedges to go in. I beveled the edge of the wedges then I could get them started.
Once started you can tap them in. I had to do the same thing for a buddy of mine having the same problem.
I also applied a small amt of black adhesive to keep them in.
Once started you can tap them in. I had to do the same thing for a buddy of mine having the same problem.
I also applied a small amt of black adhesive to keep them in.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 7,441
Likes: 421
From: Ventura County, CA
St. Jude Donor '05 thru '24
Re: Taillight Louvers (85red_vette)
I got my set from MidAmerica and didnt have any problems with the install. I got them about 2 years ago and had not used them much. Just recently I tried to reinstall them and one of the lights was tight as hell. A bit of lithium grease will help. Also try to slid the sticks in and out without the louver in place... :seeya
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 1,108
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From: Ft. Walton Bch. Florida
Re: Taillight Louvers (2nd2SEX)
The fit depends on where the lights are in the housing. If they're favoring the bottom the bottom will be tight and the top loose. If it is too extreme the wedge on the loose side may come out on it's own accord and not long after that you will more than likely lose that louver. That's the reason for a small dab of black adhesive to prevent that.
Putting a bevel on the wedge allows you to get it started on a side that has a real close fit.
Putting a bevel on the wedge allows you to get it started on a side that has a real close fit.
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Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 1,223
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From: Nashville Tennessee
Re: Taillight Louvers (cyberblast)
I used a screwdriver with a rag wraped around the end to protect the paint.
Very carefully moved the light so the tabs would fit. Be VERY EASY.
I haven't had any problems with em working loose.
Very carefully moved the light so the tabs would fit. Be VERY EASY.
I haven't had any problems with em working loose.
Drifting
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 1,562
Likes: 1
From: "Drive like Hell, you'll get there faster." Tucson AZ
Re: Taillight Louvers (cyberblast)
I did the same thing about a year ago and have had em on ever since. Took me about 20 minutes to figure out how they go in. You gotta snap them in above and below the taillight lenses. You gotta slip it in a little and push hard horizontally, but NOT vertically or you may snap the louver tabs. It doesn't look like they'll fit, but they do. The lense is what gives way after you push em in a bit. They gotta be this way or they may fall out while you're driving. It's easy once you know exactly where to press. It's DIRECTLY above and DIRECTLY below the red lenses where you place the louver tabs. You can try some grease or something to slip em in. Unfortunately, they're much easier to take out than they are to put in. I think the look's well worth the trouble though. :thumbs:
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 83,383
Likes: 87
From: Boston, MA
Re: Taillight Louvers (MaSTeRofDZaSTeR)
I had them on my '87 and thought that they looked cool for a couple of weeks. You have to slide the clips between the rubber seal around the light and the bumper. Once you figure it out the rest are easy.
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Joined: Sep 2003
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From: Winterthur Switzerland ZH
Re: Taillight Louvers (vettefast)
thanks for all your tips!
today i bought black silicon-seal-gel and filled it in around the lights and smoothed the surface with a rag. it looks good and holds and its easy to remove i think. thanks for the hint vettefast!
today i bought black silicon-seal-gel and filled it in around the lights and smoothed the surface with a rag. it looks good and holds and its easy to remove i think. thanks for the hint vettefast!
