PONTIAC FACT:
Untitled Document
National Parts Depot
Replacement hinge for console storage compartment?

 
Post new topic   Reply to topic    PontiacRegistry.com Forum Index -> General Pontiac Talk
View previous topic :: View next topic  
Author Message
petelempert



Joined: 21 Oct 2016
Posts: 4
Location:



PostPosted: Fri Oct 21, 2016 9:15 am    Post subject: Replacement hinge for console storage compartment? Reply with quote

New to Pontiac restoration. Working on a 77 Can Am and enjoying the heck out of it. Wondering if there is a replacement hinge for the console storage compartment door. Mine is toast. I think it's common to Grand Prix 73-77. Found some in wrecking yards but thinking they are old, brittle and ready to fail. Are there any reproductions being made? Any ideas on an inventive retrofit if not? Thx PRL
_________________
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail Visit poster's website AIM Address Yahoo Messenger MSN Messenger
Larry
Site Admin


Joined: 01 Jun 2006
Posts: 4768




PostPosted: Fri Oct 21, 2016 10:38 am    Post subject: Console Hinge Reply with quote

Isn't the hinge steel? That should be repairable, but if not I would think there might be some salvage yard ones around. Check with Frank's Pontiac Parts in CA (see the ad to the left). He has tons of good Pontiac stuff.

How are the plastic parts? I had a spare console (and a garage full of spare Can Am parts that I sold a few years ago with my last Can Am). I don't know where everything ended up as it was to some wheeler-dealer in Orlando who claimed he was going to "corner the Can Am market." He was a real estate guy who last I heard got slammed in the building downturn and sold everything off. Wish I still had the stuff!

My checks seem to confirm the '73-77 Lemans and GP interchange, but I would be careful. They may swap but be different in some ways.

We have another member presently looking for a "high-buck" Can Am. Know of any real nice ones available?

_________________
PontiacRegistry.com... building the single largest source of Pontiac information, services, and entertainment in the world!
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail AIM Address
petelempert



Joined: 21 Oct 2016
Posts: 4
Location:



PostPosted: Fri Oct 21, 2016 5:34 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

The hinge is plastic. As you know, the dash and console on the Can Am are Grand Prix parts. I've found a few Grand Prix junkyard consoles with the hinge intact, but they want to sell me the entire console which I understand. Except for the hinge, my console is good. Also, I figure that if I buy a used one, it's only a matter of time before a 40 year old plastic hinge fails. If I can't find a reproduction part, I'll probably end up fabbing a metal hinge in some configuration that in invisible from the outside. I was hoping that some Grand Prix guy out there has found a repro part, NOS stash or maybe even a part from a later GM product that I could retrofit.

Regarding your question on Can Ams, I bought mine (#184) last Spring from a guy here in Dallas who had two of them. Mine has virtually no rust, is mostly intact but hadn't run in 18 years and has been messed with by a series of undisciplined mechanics. It's now running, but I'm sorting out a series of half-hearted repair jobs and putting it back the way GM intended. I wish the Can Am Registry was still around. PRL

_________________
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail Visit poster's website AIM Address Yahoo Messenger MSN Messenger
Larry
Site Admin


Joined: 01 Jun 2006
Posts: 4768




PostPosted: Fri Oct 21, 2016 7:22 pm    Post subject: Can Am Console Reply with quote

It's been many years since I was driving a Can Am. Had forgotten all about how the console and lid hinge. You're right about old plastic though. Unfortunately even NOS would still be old, and probably brittle, too. I see a lot of metal hinges sold for earlier cars. Perhaps revamping one of those would work. Perfect it and make it into a kit for everyone else... and get rich!
_________________
PontiacRegistry.com... building the single largest source of Pontiac information, services, and entertainment in the world!
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail AIM Address
petelempert



Joined: 21 Oct 2016
Posts: 4
Location:



PostPosted: Mon Nov 21, 2016 12:23 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

After a few weeks of tinkering, I finally figured out a solution. At first, I tried to fit a small metal piano hinge to the console. Unfortunately, the fit was too tight and the door would only open about two thirds without hitting the inside edge of the console. The hinge pin was just too thick. After some careful grinding with a Dremel tool, it was still too tight. Finally, I found a company called US Plastics on line. They sell an entire line of plastic hinges, similar to the original hinge. They sell a 1.5 " hinge in 5 foot sections for $5. After some experimentation and lots of custom fitting, it works pretty well. It requires driving some new mounting holes on the console, in the door and some grinding on the inside of the console. None of these will be visible once re-assembled. Starting the refinishing process of the entire console now, hoping to re-install this Spring. PRL
_________________
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail Visit poster's website AIM Address Yahoo Messenger MSN Messenger
Display posts from previous:   
Post new topic   Reply to topic    PontiacRegistry.com Forum Index -> General Pontiac Talk All times are GMT - 5 Hours
Page 1 of 1

 
Jump to:  
You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum
You cannot vote in polls in this forum
You cannot attach files in this forum
You cannot download files in this forum
Untitled Document

PontiacRegistry.com, the ALL Pontiac Club for ALL Pontiac Lovers– dedicated to the preservation, restoration, and enjoyment of all years, models, and types of Pontiacs. Enjoy your Pontiac hobby at the only 24-7 Pontiac Club that brings you Pontiac News, Pontiac Information, and Pontiac Entertainment at the speed of light. Join today and help support and build the best of all Pontiac Clubs in the world. Clubs are for people too, not just cars. If you do not yet have a Pontiac, or just enjoy sharing information and learning about them....welcome!





 All Rights Reserved © 2012-2024 PontiacRegistry.com, LLC PRIVACY POLICY | TERMS & CONDITIONS | CONTACT US
Michael J. Gifford, Web Developer