Console Lid Bent

tjf1980 · Mar 31, 2022

Got the '68 Sport Satellite up and going mechanically and started on the console. Going well except the lid. From about the lock forward on the driver's side it bends up. We'll assume someone pried on it. Anyone ever "adjust" these? Appears to be cast aluminum? I'm afraid it will crack if I try to press on it with blocks in a vise or press and destroy the chrome plating if I use much heat. Any thoughts or personal experiences with this type of part?

440 4 speed · Mar 31, 2022

My experience is that is pot metal. It is possible to GENTLY heat it with an electric heat gun, maybe hair dryer and keep pressure to get it back to original. Too much heat will melt the pot metal, you can crack the chrome. It looks like it can be done by your picture. Good luck with whatever you try.

tjf1980 · Mar 31, 2022

440 4 speed said:
My experience is that is pot metal. It is possible to GENTLY heat it with an electric heat gun, maybe hair dryer and keep pressure to get it back to original. Too much heat will melt the pot metal, you can crack the chrome. It looks like it can be done by your picture. Good luck with whatever you try.

I was leaning towards that method. Thanks for the input and I'll probably need that luck.

kiwigtx · Mar 31, 2022

I had a set chromed many years ago and they came back looking like that.

Seems it doesn't take much heat to damage....so it stands to reason that a little heat will help straighten it again.

440 4 speed · Mar 31, 2022

tjf1980 said:
I was leaning towards that method. Thanks for the input and I'll probably need that luck.

Just be very cautious with the heat. I use no more than 500 watts.

AR67GTX · Apr 1, 2022

I bought a reproduction console plate set last year and the foreword plate had a ski-jump type curve at the forward end. I taped it all up and set up blocks in my hydraulic press and was able to slowly work the warp out of it successfully. It may be more difficult to do with a diagonal warp but not much to lose by trying. I didn’t use any heat- didn’t think about it at the time and no one suggested it

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tjf1980 · Apr 2, 2022

AR67GTX said:
I bought a reproduction console plate set last year and the foreword plate had a ski-jump type curve at the forward end. I taped it all up and set up blocks in my hydraulic press and was able to slowly work the warp out of it successfully. It may be more difficult to do with a diagonal warp but not much to lose by trying. I didn’t use any heat- didn’t think about it at the time and no one suggested it View attachment 1263262 View attachment 1263263 View attachment 1263264 .

It had a lot more flex to it than I thought it would. I placed a 2x4 under it where it was still flat, put a foot on it, and used my other for to gently press down on the high portion. A few few presses and test fits and it was much better.

Since I got a couple console guys one the line here, does the hinge spring open or closed? My hinge pin flipped over center and I can't see any wear marks to figure out how the end tabs should be oriented. Also need a latch and cylinder if anyone has extra. Will post in the wanted ads later too.

Thanks for all the input everyone!

AR67GTX · Apr 2, 2022

It should spring open. If you door edge on the right rear is going to dig into the console body when it’s opened fully, you can’t put a couple of those little self-adhesive half-round drawer bumpers on the inside of the console just below the top. When the lid is opened the door hinge piece hits the bumpers which restrict how far it opens by 10 - 15 degrees.

Console Lid Bent

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