CRG Discussion Forum

Camaro Research Group Discussion => Restoration => Topic started by: jeff68 on March 14, 2011, 05:53:07 PM

Title: Rear End Cover - Replace or Repair?
Post by: jeff68 on March 14, 2011, 05:53:07 PM

The 12-bolt rear end cover on my car has quite a few pits in it from rust.  Some time ago, I sandblasted the cover then primed & painted it.  It looks good, but you can obviously still see the pits throught the paint.  I'll be doing a diff oil change when the car comes back from paint, so that will be the time to fix it.  I'm trying to decide if it is worth the effort to do 'body work' on the original cover. 

So, how are the reproduction covers?  HBC claims to have one that is better than everyone else's, but they also want a premium price for it.  Has anyone here used one of their covers?  I like the idea of a new cover, but don't like the idea of reproductions parts that look like reproductions.

Any opinions or recommendations are appreciated.  Thanks.

Title: Re: Rear End Cover - Replace or Repair?
Post by: rich69rs on March 15, 2011, 12:05:52 AM

If it is just a cosmetic issue and not one of needed replacement, I'd vote for leaving the original one in place and skip any "body work" on it.  Really comes down to how critical the "appearance" is to you.  An original cover with "honest wear" to me is a better piece to look at than a brand new reproduction piece.

Just my 2 cents.  Good luck.

Richard

Title: Re: Rear End Cover - Replace or Repair?
Post by: 68camaroz28 on March 15, 2011, 01:16:04 AM

If the car can sit for awhile, spray it with polyester (body shop can easily) body filler, let it dry well, and sand it down. It should fill all the minor rust pits and look like new. Nice to keep the orig. piece IMHO.
Just a suggestion......

Title: Re: Rear End Cover - Replace or Repair?
Post by: william on March 15, 2011, 01:58:01 AM

Our '67 Z/28 had a pitted rear cover also. I must have rattle-canned filler primer/steel-wooled it 25 times to get it smooth.

Title: Re: Rear End Cover - Replace or Repair?
Post by: jeff68 on March 15, 2011, 02:08:40 PM

Quote from: 68camaroz28 on March 15, 2011, 01:16:04 AM

Nice to keep the orig. piece IMHO.

I hear you Chick.  I usually try to avoid reproduction parts.  I guess the rear end cover should be no different.  Like Rich said, an "honest" factory-original part is hard to beat or find fault with.  The car has always been a Connecticut car, driven 160,000 miles year-round.  It's earned every pit on the cover.

The decision has been made to keep the original cover. 

Title: Re: Rear End Cover - Replace or Repair?
Post by: l88z16 on March 16, 2011, 02:28:18 AM

How do you tell an original cover from a repo????I bought one off Ebay that is supposed to be an original but it looks to nice to be.

Title: Re: Rear End Cover - Replace or Repair?
Post by: tom on March 17, 2011, 01:43:53 AM

That cover must have been on a LOT of cars from the day. You should be able to find a nice original one at a bone yard or a swap.

Title: Re: Rear End Cover - Replace or Repair?
Post by: 1968RSZ28 on April 04, 2011, 05:22:31 AM

Here's a NOS one...

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=110669989305&ssPageName=ADME:B:SS:MOTORS:1123

Paul

Title: Re: Rear End Cover - Replace or Repair?
Post by: jeff68 on April 04, 2011, 03:40:57 PM

That doesn't look like mine.  It has a notch in the edge and mine doesn't.

Title: Re: Rear End Cover - Replace or Repair?
Post by: 67 RS Ragtop on April 04, 2011, 03:51:59 PM

Jeff,

  Are you sure?? The cutout is usually where the flexible brake hose / fitting bolts, hence the reason for the cutout, so that it mounts "flat" to the housing.

Title: Re: Rear End Cover - Replace or Repair?
Post by: x77-69z28 on April 04, 2011, 08:52:12 PM

that is a 1970 rear end cover. 69 did not have the notch. it will fit, and probably replaced the 69 cover

Title: Re: Rear End Cover - Replace or Repair?
Post by: Gramps69Z on April 04, 2011, 09:03:44 PM

My 69 10E car does not have the notch.   The brake hose is held by an offset bracket with bolt.

Title: Re: Rear End Cover - Replace or Repair?
Post by: Boston14 on April 04, 2011, 10:19:33 PM

My 69 11D car is like Capt. John's  -  no notch, offset bracket.