The Diecast Zone · Model Car Club Since 1994
Diecast Collector Forums
Eight forums, every scale, and thirty years of shop talk — new arrivals, restorations, reviews, and the finds you won’t see posted anywhere else, with the full archive back to 2002 restored and searchable. Free to Register.
UPDATE ( PIX ) '63 Black Corvette Project Modifcation OK * This pic is day one of starting the tear down process ... about 2 hours ... taking my time
photo no longer available
OK
Below - This pic is where we remove the interior
... and you can see ... only remove 1 tiny itty bitty screw
Once screw is removed ... lift the rear of the interior up gently and be sure to remove the master brake booster off the "firewall" of the interior
photo no longer available
OK Below we see the interior removed from the frame
photo no longer available
OK Below the interior set aside on the kitchen table top
photo no longer available
OK Below we see 4 screws
The 2 outside screws in single red circle are for door removal
The 2 screws with double red circles are dashboard removal
photo no longer available
OK Below we see our results
Body off the frame
Doors removed
Interior removed
Dashboard removed
And all those pesky tiny lil screws w/ washers
NOTE: I found that "most" of the screws are extremely tight ... be sure to use the proper size + Philips screw driver to avoid stripping
... VERY slowly lossen the screws, they will break free but take your very sweet time,
Do NOT get a big hurry ... take your time
photo no longer available
DOOR PANEL REMOVAL
OMG
What a pain in the keester!
This takes "ALOT" of patience and due diligence
AND
In a peaceful surroundings ... no 3 yr or 5yr old lil girls screaming, hollering and running around like banshees ( LOL )
One does not want to break a door panel in half
Using a very small olfa blade knife ... work the edges to break free the outer edge of the door panel
Then using a little bit bigger common screwdriver, very carefully digger deeper
The door has 2 posts that stick up
The door panel has 2 circles the door posts snap into (glued )
It is frustrating ... it is tedious ... you'll want to quit and walk away ... but it can & will come free
photo no longer available
OK Below you can see the posts that I mention on the door itself
photo no longer available
OK
Below ... door panel removal ...
You can see the inside of the door panel and the "sockets" that I was talking about
... those sockets snap over the lil posts located inside of the door
photo no longer available
* WHEW *
Took me about an hour to perform the above tasks
After all that tedious work ... I'm toast and I am done for the day
And yes ... I do have a 3yr old and a 5yr old "GREAT GRAND Daughters" running around like banshees ... I was not joking about that
So what's next ?
I have to locate matching paint of the interior
I have to locate matching paint of the exterior black Corvette
Any and all input is greatly wanted / appreciated.
I can't believe I'm doing this
OH ...
I have every little part in lil tiny plastic snag bags
Body in 1 bag
Each door in their own bag
Wheels, spinner knock off rims, and all screw in one bag
Interior, door panels, steering wheel with all related screws / washers in one bag
Frame / motor in one bag
photo no longer available
You get the idea
Hey
This is work in progress
So far so good
Now that I have traveled down an unknown path ...:O
Its not that hard ...
So Far :))
I hope I land on my feet with a 10 point landing:))
Dennis, You're Cooking with Gas! Don't stop now.
I see you have good set of tools. Have you run into a screw that won't budge? Find a product called "Tri-Flow" Superior Lubricant. It really works great. Hardware store or locksmiths usually carry it. Also I recommend putting the screws right back in the same hole you removed it from when you are done taking it apart.
They look the same but are NOT! Plus it will help when putting it all back together. GOOD LUCK
Thank you Dan .... I have
Known of you for many many years and have great respect for you
Thank you for your encouraging words
AND
I did exactly what you said ... I put the screws right back into the body from where they came out
The screws that hold the wheels / rims ... I put those screws in the wheel / rim bag
OH ... Thanks for the tip on the spray lube ... there was one or 2 that I thought would not budge
Thanks for the tip
I figure I'm safe with that
Dennis, great blow-by-blow description/pics. Feel like we're right there with 'ya.
Keep 'em coming. Can't wait to see the final result.
Inspirational
Great photos and excellent Write up Dennis. Keep up the great work and I look forward to more coverage of your "Work In Progress"
good stuff Dennis, well done!
George - You crack me up ... U R "He Larry Us" !!!
What they all said. Makes me want to try it. . . . Naw.
I usually use a jar for dissembled parts but sometimes they're just all over....Good job!
screws in diecasts
I, too, have fought the screws in a diecast. Just occurred to me... has anyone tried a JIS (japanese Industry Standard - google it if you want) screwdriver in these heads?
JIS looks a lot like a phillips, but has a different cut to it. Prime example is Japanese motorcycles, especially carb float bowls. Easy to strip heads out with even a high dollar regular phillips, but use the cheap crap driver in the bike toolkit and it will usually come right out.
And of course, I don't have access to a JIS driver since I sold the m/c. Usually a JIS screw will have a dot on the head but I've never seen a dot on these.