license plate hold down

Status
Not open for further replies.

carnutjw

G-Body Guru
Sep 17, 2017
623
1,466
93
Maybe I'm a little slow, but I know some guys put an Fbody plate bracket on so they don't have to fight the plate while filling up. Just noticed recently that my cap will fit in spring area and hold down the plate-see picture. Was this planned by GM?
IMG_0126.JPG
 

TURNA

Rocket Powered Basset Hound
Jul 24, 2009
10,941
19,990
113
Socialist NY
yep

GBody's were cheapo cars
 
  • Agree
Reactions: 1 user

565bbchevy

Geezer
Aug 8, 2011
9,591
12,612
113
Michigan
I fixed the license plate hold down issue by replacing it with the deck lid flip up version.

IMG_0953.JPG
 
  • Like
  • Haha
Reactions: 3 users

69hurstolds

Geezer
Supporting Member
Jan 2, 2006
8,090
17,309
113
GBody's were cheapo cars
Ever buy one new? I'd beg to differ. The quality was sorely lacking, so cheapo in quality, I will grant you that, but when you had interest rates in the double digits (until late 1986 or so) it wasn't cheapo on the wallet. Back then it was mainly 36-48 month loans max. You felt lucky to get away with paying less than $3,000 on interest alone. Back then, I wasn't as liquid as I am now. So a 12K loan wasn't a cheap endeavor.

When I bought my 85 442 new, it was delivered with the front hood corner bumpers in the unlocked position. Found that out later as the hood started to flap more and more as I drove it. I think they forgot to put the limited slip additive in at the factory fill, or not enough as it chirped going around corners. It didn't have the retainer/bolt for the speedometer bullet installed on the side of the transmission, and they forgot to put on the throttle return spring. It just wasn't there. So the quality being cheapo, yeah. It sure was. Luckily all this crap got fixed by the dealer, but it's stuff that shouldn't have had to be fixed. Plus, you only had 12K miles and 12 months to find it, or it was your problem.

The 86 Monte SS had a carburetor issue that made it idle at 2800 rpm or so. They claimed it was primary rod burrs hanging up, but I'm not so sure. They put on a new carb. Then there was the springs in the trunk lock that sprung out (no power trunk lock option) and there were groceries stuck in the back.

As for the license plate deal, those springs are strong and will try and crush the cap. So if it's an old plastic one, be wary. I think the 22525300 (GT172) cap for most G-body gasoline applications 84-up were plastic. Of course, if you have a metal cap, you're golden.

I think they have a kit for the plates that take the normal spring out that you can convert over to a flip down/stay down version. Fairly cheap.
 
  • Like
Reactions: 1 user

pontiacgp

blank
Mar 31, 2006
29,270
20,391
113
Kitchener, Ontario
Ever buy one new? I'd beg to differ. The quality was sorely lacking, so cheapo in quality, I will grant you that, but when you had interest rates in the double digits (until late 1986 or so) it wasn't cheapo on the wallet. Back then it was mainly 36-48 month loans max. You felt lucky to get away with paying less than $3,000 on interest alone. Back then, I wasn't as liquid as I am now. So a 12K loan wasn't a cheap endeavor.

When I bought my 85 442 new, it was delivered with the front hood corner bumpers in the unlocked position. Found that out later as the hood started to flap more and more as I drove it. I think they forgot to put the limited slip additive in at the factory fill, or not enough as it chirped going around corners. It didn't have the retainer/bolt for the speedometer bullet installed on the side of the transmission, and they forgot to put on the throttle return spring. It just wasn't there. So the quality being cheapo, yeah. It sure was. Luckily all this crap got fixed by the dealer, but it's stuff that shouldn't have had to be fixed. Plus, you only had 12K miles and 12 months to find it, or it was your problem.

The 86 Monte SS had a carburetor issue that made it idle at 2800 rpm or so. They claimed it was primary rod burrs hanging up, but I'm not so sure. They put on a new carb. Then there was the springs in the trunk lock that sprung out (no power trunk lock option) and there were groceries stuck in the back.

As for the license plate deal, those springs are strong and will try and crush the cap. So if it's an old plastic one, be wary. I think the 22525300 (GT172) cap for most G-body gasoline applications 84-up were plastic. Of course, if you have a metal cap, you're golden.

I think they have a kit for the plates that take the normal spring out that you can convert over to a flip down/stay down version. Fairly cheap.

I had friends who worked at the Oshawa plant in it's hay days. They would take the day off when their car was being built to follow it through the plant to let the guys working the line that was their car to make sure their car was assembled properly and with all the parts...and a few additions not on the build sheet...:)
 
  • Like
Reactions: 1 users

pontiacgp

blank
Mar 31, 2006
29,270
20,391
113
Kitchener, Ontario
I got tired of holding the plate down so I devised a different method of getting around having to hold it down...:cool:

images.jpeg
 
  • Haha
Reactions: 1 user

TURNA

Rocket Powered Basset Hound
Jul 24, 2009
10,941
19,990
113
Socialist NY
Cheapo as in junk
 
Status
Not open for further replies.

GBodyForum is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com. Amazon, the Amazon logo, AmazonSupply, and the AmazonSupply logo are trademarks of Amazon.com, Inc. or its affiliates.

Please support GBodyForum Sponsors

Classic Truck Consoles Dixie Restoration Depot UMI Performance

Contact [email protected] for info on becoming a sponsor