Clutch rod boot, 2nd gen F body aren't the right one.

[pagrunt]

I ran into an old issue today, ordered a clutch rod boot for Jr.'s car to find out it's another 2nd gen F body one. Ordered it from Dixie Restoration Depot since the web site & most current catalog shows the correct one for our cars. Even ordered the one for my car from them many moons ago when they were still in N.C. which was the reason I went with them. When Jr. opened the box to see what I got him I noticed right away it was time for a phone call. Was able to talk to Rob about it which he tried to check the one their invintory said they had but was out. So he just had me send pics of it which is still in the El Camino Manufacturing package. I added pic of the one I got off OPGI over 20 years ago with the correct one (which from their order history I was informed it's a NOS boot they used to stock). He told me he'll contacy El Camino Manufacturing in the morning about it to make sure it wasn't mispackaged. Never had any issues with any other Dixie orders & glad with their williingness to correct this.

Now I still can't figure out after all these years how suppliers can claim a part fits something, pushes it out the door to retailers just to have the buyer find out it's wrong. These "correct" G body clutch rod boots which are really '70-'81 F & '75-'79 X bodies boots have been have been a pain to me for over 25 years. The centered distance between the two mounting holes alone are not the same distance, the firewall end big hole are not the same size or shape. They don't have the correct molded angle to from end to end. Even the fit on the firewall is not right with the incorrect molded angle. If one would grab a 2nd gen F body resto catalog, the same boot is what is shown it.

 

[pagrunt]

Good news, really bad news. Dixie Restoration Depot did a great job with quick updates on checking on with El Camino Manufacturing & was verified they are shipping F body boots as G body ones cause they have the bad info that those were the next best part to use. Then the really bad news, El Camino Manufacturing can not find a place to mold them dispite having the them having the GM molds. I've started to see if anyone has old stock of the correct one based on the picture they have with the website listing. Already struck out with Ecklers as they don't have any on hand & have it shipped directly from El Camino Manufacturing. I have a few lines in the water waiting to see if there'll be any bites to get me one. Worse case I good condition used one will be what I'll have to hunt for but I might be better to adapt a square body truck boot dispite them being a little bigger. Best thing would be getting the word out there that those F body boots are wrong dispite the age old story claiming they fit is out there. Wish Jr. & me luck on this hunt.

 

[pagrunt]

Got to talk to someone at Chevelle Depot in Winsor, ON which I hope gets me on the right track despite being told the boot doesn't fit Jr.'s Monte. Now it'll be a wait till Tuesday cause Hockey, Beer & Maple Syrup Day (Canada Day) Monday.

 

[pagrunt]

Still on the hunt for that right one but was honored by a noob with 0 postings offer an name & email of a guy who "might" have what I need. If a regular here don't have a lead I don't thing a random will. But I'm working on a substitute with my first failure. Tried a '63-'64 Vette/'62-'67 Nova but it's too small but the seperate metal mounting ring does give some ideas.

 

[ssn696]

Check to see if that zero-posting noob is named Mr. Hill.

 

[69hurstolds]

Still on the hunt for that right one but was honored by a noob with 0 postings offer an name & email of a guy who "might" have what I need. If a regular here don't have a lead I don't thing a random will. But I'm working on a substitute with my first failure. Tried a '63-'64 Vette/'62-'67 Nova but it's too small but the seperate metal mounting ring does give some ideas.

Watch out for those A-holes. They're 99.999999% chance of being a scammer. They know a guy.... FU scammer.

Noobs that suddenly have access to the exact part you need when you're searching for it...tell me that doesn't smell like dog poop.

 

[pagrunt]

Might of found a fix for having a boot that works. Ordered up a F*rd Fairlane/Torino one & it was able to snap right in. I haven't opened it up to the specs in my '79 Cutlass assembly manual yet (which shouldn't be too far off) but it fits snug.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CFG6GGMD?tag=gbody-20

Now I also have a '64 to early '65 Vette/1st gen Chevy II boot that's a little bigger but may snap in with the correct hole size. I should get a small piece of sheet metal to punch a hole into it to see if it'll work. The Vette/Chevy II one came with a retaining ring that has two screw holes that aren't the right distance but coulbe be used to make a patern of one with the right screw hole distance. It's about time to see if anyone has any word on the correct one being back in production too.