Question on Door Panels???
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 2,529
Likes: 27
From: Auburndale Florida
2025 C2 of the Year ('64-'66) Finalist - Unmodified
St. Jude Donor '03-'05-'06-'07-'09
Question on Door Panels???
OK my last 72 was a coupe coupe, that had original 1972 door panels, it had 2 screws near the top or window sills, one at the front and one at the rear of the door. So now this 72, a vert, has aftermarket panels from Corvette America that are about 15 years old (date coded on the back of course) They are pulling away for the top sill and have NO screws.
I studied the assembly manual and it shows the screws with the factory panels, but all the aftermarket suppliers pics DO NOT show any screws...
So what is correct? My guess is there should be some fasteners near the top of the panle to keep it from pulling back or warping away from the top....
thanks...Mark...
I studied the assembly manual and it shows the screws with the factory panels, but all the aftermarket suppliers pics DO NOT show any screws...
So what is correct? My guess is there should be some fasteners near the top of the panle to keep it from pulling back or warping away from the top....
thanks...Mark...
Last edited by mbeeman350; Apr 11, 2006 at 08:46 AM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 3,268
Likes: 2
From: Minnesota in the summer, Las Vegas in the winter
Originally Posted by Edzred72
My Corvette America aftermarket door panels did not have any screw holes or door latch/lock holes pre-drilled. Had to do all of them myself...
Line it up and drill!!!
Eddie
Line it up and drill!!!
Eddie
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 8,339
Likes: 24
From: I can walk to MA
Not random ... drill the panel where the screw hole should be ... lined
up with the hole in the door itself.
I've heard SO many stories about crappy plastic injected door panels
that I have definitely decided to restore mine with the skins at Corvette America.
up with the hole in the door itself.
I've heard SO many stories about crappy plastic injected door panels
that I have definitely decided to restore mine with the skins at Corvette America.
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 1,526
Likes: 2
From: Oak Ridge NC
Did you do the skins yet? I am going to do mine with the CA skins. my panels are perfect...no warping, so I am tending towards them.
Is it difficult to do the skins? What about the inserts and the window felt?
Smokin
Is it difficult to do the skins? What about the inserts and the window felt?
Smokin
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 8,339
Likes: 24
From: I can walk to MA
Originally Posted by SmokinBBC
Did you do the skins yet? I am going to do mine with the CA skins. my panels are perfect...no warping, so I am tending towards them.
Is it difficult to do the skins? What about the inserts and the window felt?
Smokin
Is it difficult to do the skins? What about the inserts and the window felt?
Smokin
Right now, I'm just trying to get her on the road and wrapped
in primer. When I do, I will surely post it here. I have read that
you should take your time and dry fit as much as possible.
Only glue small sections at a time to avoid mistakes.
Use an expanding foam (like Great Stuff) and sand smooth to fill any
imperfections in the fiber backing. I am also going to give the back
of the fiber panel a coating of fiberglass resin to strengthen it and seal out moisture.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 7,186
Likes: 45
From: detroit area
when i redid my panels, i just drill through the panel and door with a thick pan head screw with a fendr washer....but i wrapped the washer in the same materila i did the door in so it looks normal by the average eye...
b
b
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Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 829
Likes: 0
From: Land O' Lakes FL
Just did the drivers side yesterday. Corvette America panel.
They DO NOT come with pre-drilled holes.
Also, be prepared to grunt. These plastic backs dont yield like the factory ones do.
They DO NOT come with pre-drilled holes.
Also, be prepared to grunt. These plastic backs dont yield like the factory ones do.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 2,529
Likes: 27
From: Auburndale Florida
2025 C2 of the Year ('64-'66) Finalist - Unmodified
St. Jude Donor '03-'05-'06-'07-'09
Originally Posted by Jerry Curl
Just did the drivers side yesterday. Corvette America panel.
They DO NOT come with pre-drilled holes.
Also, be prepared to grunt. These plastic backs dont yield like the factory ones do.
They DO NOT come with pre-drilled holes.
Also, be prepared to grunt. These plastic backs dont yield like the factory ones do.
Mark
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 2,529
Likes: 27
From: Auburndale Florida
2025 C2 of the Year ('64-'66) Finalist - Unmodified
St. Jude Donor '03-'05-'06-'07-'09
Originally Posted by 70 LS1
I have older replacement panels, too, and the tops are pulling away from the door. No screws. Can the plastic backed panels be bent back and held in place by the screws?
I thought the panels were toast the way they were pulled away at the top. When I massaged the metal on the inner door and straightened out the top lip or edge the door panel catches on it looks good. About 90% of what it should. The screws will do the rest!!!
Mark
Last edited by mbeeman350; Apr 13, 2006 at 05:59 PM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 2,812
Likes: 4
From: Gig Harbor Wa
I think mine need some serious massaging. The front looks good, but towards the rear near the handle, the panel is pulled off the lip and is probably 1/2" from where it should be. I have to pull them off soon to fix the door handles, so good timing on this thread.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 2,529
Likes: 27
From: Auburndale Florida
2025 C2 of the Year ('64-'66) Finalist - Unmodified
St. Jude Donor '03-'05-'06-'07-'09
Originally Posted by 70 LS1
Anyone have a picture of where the screws are supposed to be. Honestly, I have had my car for 8 years and didn't even know there were supposed to be screws.
The original GM panels fit better all around. These CA panels have a gap on the sides that I never had with the other car and the OE panels!!
Maybe someone will chime with some pics
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 2,812
Likes: 4
From: Gig Harbor Wa
OK, I replaced the door handles tonight and just can't tell where the screws are supposed to go. There were two holes in the door where I thought they might go, but not sure. Anyone have any pictures of the screws installed?
