Getting Sill Plate Screws out - Help!
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Mar 1999
Posts: 1,381
Likes: 15
From: Lusby MD
Getting Sill Plate Screws out - Help!
I'm installing new carpets in my 68 convertible. So far it's been a piece of cake, except that I can't get the 8 screws that hold the sill plates out (4 each). They immediately stripped when I used a scewdriver. Then I took a dremel and cut a notch so I could use a blade screwdriver. No good. Then I bought an easy-out and a 5/32 cobalt drill bit. I'm getting nowhere drilling the screws. I'm running out of ideas.... I also don't want to totally destroy the sills. They're in decent shape.
Thoughts?
Thoughts?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 6,128
Likes: 21
From: North Alabama
I would drill the heads off...let the shank fall through. I bought new screws and pushed some of those plastic (very small) sheetrock type anchors in the fiberglass holes and used new screws to re-apply. Pulled em down nice and tight!
Safety Car
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 4,652
Likes: 80
From: Lakeland Florida
At this point you may have to drill the head of the screws out so that the sill plate will lift off over them, then use a pair of pliers or visegrips to unscrew them once the sill plate is off.
Replacement sill plates are $20 each if they get too scratched up from doing this.
kdf
Replacement sill plates are $20 each if they get too scratched up from doing this.
kdf
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Mar 1999
Posts: 1,381
Likes: 15
From: Lusby MD
Thanks for the advice. I dodged the bullet alltogether for now. I was able to pull the old carpet out and wedge the new one up under the sills without removing them. It came out great.
I'll save pulling the sills for another day. Many years from now...
I'll save pulling the sills for another day. Many years from now...
Pro
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 683
Likes: 0
From: mississauga ON
I would try a little JB Weld on the head of each screw. Then
place a thin metal object (a small nail?) on the head. When the
glue dries (about 24 hrs.), you shoud be able to use the nail
which you've glued to the screw to pull up on the screw
(while unscrewing).
place a thin metal object (a small nail?) on the head. When the
glue dries (about 24 hrs.), you shoud be able to use the nail
which you've glued to the screw to pull up on the screw
(while unscrewing).
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 5,943
Likes: 3
From: Wildwood IL
Originally Posted by Jclgodale3
I would drill the heads off...let the shank fall through. I bought new screws and pushed some of those plastic (very small) sheetrock type anchors in the fiberglass holes and used new screws to re-apply. Pulled em down nice and tight!
That's what I did, but to repair hogged out holes. Eddie
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Every 2027 Corvette Engine Explained
Joe Kucinski
Designer Imagines A Corvette That Looks More Like a Corvette Than the Corvette
Verdad Gallardo
10 Ugly Corvettes That We Still Kinda Love
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer
Brett Foote
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years
Joe Kucinski
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972
Joe Kucinski
