Pilot Dan

As pictured below, does anyone know if there is supposed to be a bracket, or a special spring nut behind the RT kick panel to hold the 2 screws for the heater cover (pictured on right). Can't find a thing on it in the AIM or elsewhere. In the past, I managed to get a flat spring nut back there but it is a real PITA and just falls out the next time you take the screw out anyway. Does anyone know the correct way to attach those 2 parts together???



Any info would be appreciated, Thanks guys!! Pilot Dan

62Jeff

Hmmmm. My 62 AIM appears to show 2 "J" clips there.

Pilot Dan

Jeff, thanks for the reply, soooo, where would they go??? I don't see a way to put a "J" clip on the backside of the kick panel in that location. Pilot Dan

mike coletta

Dan,
I'm like you, in that, I've been trying to figure out what the factory did on these for years. I usually epoxy a flat spring nut (#6 or #8) to the backside. You could probably cut a slot, and install a "J' nut. I know that it was NOT a nut and bolt like so many guys do. The diagram in the AIM shows a "spring nut", but does not show how it is attached. I have also used a "nutsert" with a machine thread, but that idea doesn't work very well, as it sticks out too far on the backside. I've had very good results with the epoxy/flat spring nut assembly. The picture of the "spring nut" in the 62 AIM is Section B, sheet 8. I checked the other straight axle AIM's, and it basically shows the same thing.

Mike Coletta

wilbur

I haven't installed mine yet but If both parts get assembled before installed then slid into place, spring nuts should be fine. Btw my 58 aim also shows spring nuts as well.

Pilot Dan

Mike, thanks for confirming that. It was one of those small mysteries about how the car was assembled originally that I too took my best guess on since I could never get a answer. I will epoxy on the flat spring nut I had been using in the past. Worst that can happen is it falls off next time I remove the screw. I don't see assembling those two pieces first and then trying to slide that whole mess in there without scratching something. Pilot Dan

Pilot Dan

I thought I was on the right track, my 59 AIM is not the greatest, and lacks good detail. Thanks for the reply.

John McGraw

I think that they had a guy with skinny, long arms do this on the assembly line! You can put a flat sheetmetal nut over this hole if you are very flexible, but that disqualifies most of us old farts! Like Mike I epoxy a nut on the rear of the panel.


Regards, John McGraw

Frankie the Fink

I guess I'm that guy...I can actually get my hand behind the kick panel and hold the nut while screwing in the trim screws...

jimh_1962

same here.