Reproduction 66-68 Console top from OER/Classic Industries - problem

[Jesse6869]

Just got a set of my reproductions out, I don't know where these came from, as I swapped to get them. You are right. I have a reproduction console plastic and a original front top plate fits it perfectly the new 4-speed top plate, when seated at the console door lacks a 1/2" seating at the front. I will have to contact the person I swapped those 69-70 plates to and see where they came from. That's a pisser.

They came from brewers

 

[Jerry Hall]

They came from brewers

Thanks, I know the 69-70 plates fit perfect as it's the same console body that I'm trying to fit these to, and I took them off of it.

 

[AR67GTX]

OK - so decided to go ahead and dive in on trying to straighten the top out. Turned out it wasn't that difficult with a hydraulic press and going in small steps. here's basically what I set up.

Basically started out with this set up to flatten the forward section and get some of the upward swoop out of it. Then I found it worked better to use the 2x4 on edge across the plate with a steel plate between it and the ram. And as necessary I used a couple of paint stick on either side between the plate and the HDPE plate as folcrums to help massage the humped section and add some more curve to it. I went in small pushes and slid the plate a little forward and back to not concentrate too much in one area. Many breaks to re-fit on the base and mark where it needed to be pushed next. Ended up looking pretty good overall I think - at least it sits flat and hooks at the front and screws down fine at the rear.

There is still a little gap on the right side in the hump up area although it's hard to see unless you get right down on it. I may see if I can massage a little of it out tomorrow - or maybe just call it good.

Thanks to those who replied about the use of a hydraulic press. I was a bit skeptical at first but worked out just fine. Just went slow and moved the pressure points around to keep from overstressing any one area - don't see any signs of stress to the chrome.

I'll add that a couple pieces of 2x10 or 2x12 oak plank squares laid together would make a good base to use under the console piece. I just happened to have that big chunk of HDPE that I got off of a construction project years ago.

 

[1 Wild R/T]

Excellent! Glad you were able to tweak it back to the correct shape...

 

[Pistol Pete]

There was recent thread about this very issue either on one of the facebook groups I'm in or Moparts.

But anyway Mike Ross chimed in ( owner of BEA parts , aka former partner of PG Classics ) He said they ALL fit like this.
He put them on a Hyd press and straightened everyone of them to fit a console body as he sold them before they ever left his shop.

I bought mine from Mike years back and told me then, he just stepped on them to straighten them out. Never mentioned a press.

 

[AR67GTX]

I think trying to tweak one over your knee or stand on one would be a little tough and risky but I could see clamping it between a couple pieces of wood in a big vice and pulling/pushing on it a little. They are not quite as stiff as I was expecting, and with the 4-speed one there’s a big hole in the middle so want to be a little careful with the force at the outer ends of it where it might be a little more brittle.

 

[gtx6970]

I think the use of the press takes the human jerking snapping type reaction out of it .
Thy are diecast and dont like to be bent, especially more than once .
Plus you can control the amount of bend you do, and key is go slowly.
This is one case when just a tad more can very easily be too much

 

[440 4 speed]

I have thought about how I might flatten it in my press. I have a 2” thick block of HDPE about 14 ln square - really tough stuff. I could frame the sides with two angle steel pieces and a center plate and set it across the press bar. Tape up the surface of the plate and lay it upside down across the HDPE and put a piece of 2x8 on top and a piece of 4x4 on that and press away. Maybe load it up over 3 days gradually to let it stress relieve a little. Could even play my heat gun over it. Probably wait to see what Classic says first as I will probably own it for sure after this.

If used very carefully, a heat gun will help relax the pot metal, but if stressed too much, the plating will crack.

 

[AR67GTX]

I had no problem as I avoided any localized stresses and went slow. It flattened out fine.

 

[Mopar Hunter]

Wood clamps would work as long as they are position correctly.

 

[1MYTGTX]

Bought a set from PG classics last year and they still have this problem! They sent me 3 different plates and all the same. Finally I straightened out the last one myself using my feet & body weight. Got it to sit 97% good-er....

 

[AR67GTX]

Deja-vu. Ordered a new set of console plates for my 67 GTX from OPG. Like the ones I ordered 3 years ago the top plate is warped on this one too in spite of their delaying my order to return a bunch of warped ones to the manufacture. Not nearly as bad as the one I received for my 66 but enough so that it won’t lay flat on the console body. Sooo - guess I’ll go back to my hydraulic press and see if this one can also be straightened out also.