Passenger Side Mirror Installation Template
Thread Starter
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 30,995
Likes: 98
From: Ontario
Passenger Side Mirror Installation Template
I find driving my 1974 without a passenger-side exterior mirror less-than-optimal in terms of safety. So this weekend I will order one but I doubt that they come with instructions. Months ago here I vaguely recall someone showing a pic of a paper template illustrating the correct installation position. If anyone has that template I would very much like to have a peek at it.
Thread Starter
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 30,995
Likes: 98
From: Ontario
Thanks! As I look at the pic of the mirror and installation kit I don't see a reinforcing plate for the interior surface for the exterior mount screws to thread into. What holds the mirror on the door?
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 2,008
Likes: 38
From: Space Coast Gator Territory
I was about to ask you how you planned to mount the mirror, but see you have just asked. Many people have used well nuts to secure the mirror to the passengers side door. The drivers side has a steel backing plate riveted to the door skin. As far as I can tell the passenger side did not get this plate. The PS mirror was dealer installed at owner request, but I am not sure how they did it. Well nuts make sense, but I like the idea of a backing plate. I don't see why a piece of 1/8 inch plate couldn't be JB Welded to the door skin and drilled and tapped later for mounting screws. The plate factory installed doesn't appear to be any heavier. The plate can be drilled and tapped several times if the screw threads get rust welded and brake on removal. My 69 drivers door has been drilled three times for whatever reason. Please, post your method and how it worked. At some point i would like to do the same thing. Good Luck!
Thread Starter
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 30,995
Likes: 98
From: Ontario
I was about to ask you how you planned to mount the mirror, but see you have just asked. Many people have used well nuts to secure the mirror to the passengers side door. The drivers side has a steel backing plate riveted to the door skin. As far as I can tell the passenger side did not get this plate. The PS mirror was dealer installed at owner request, but I am not sure how they did it. Well nuts make sense, but I like the idea of a backing plate. I don't see why a piece of 1/8 inch plate couldn't be JB Welded to the door skin and drilled and tapped later for mounting screws. The plate factory installed doesn't appear to be any heavier. The plate can be drilled and tapped several times if the screw threads get rust welded and brake on removal. My 69 drivers door has been drilled three times for whatever reason. Please, post your method and how it worked. At some point i would like to do the same thing. Good Luck!
http://www.corvetteamerica.com/cf/di...ord%3A%20X2527
Last edited by Paul L; Jul 19, 2008 at 01:55 PM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 1999
Posts: 7,996
Likes: 0
From: McAlester Oklahoma
I have bought several passenger side mirrors from a few different places. They all had a template and come with a backing plate. The mirror itself attaches with a set screw to the exterior plate.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 2,008
Likes: 38
From: Space Coast Gator Territory
I don't look forward to fooling about like that although well nuts might work. You would think the various vendors would put a caveat up-front before selling these units. They allude to the R/H mirror being a "dealer option" but don't take that notion any further as to what the dealers used. The installation kit should be turn-key aside from the holes needed to be drilled. I ordered from Willcox via EBay. They seem like good people and I would hope a kit like the one below (#23762) is included.
http://www.corvetteamerica.com/cf/di...ord%3A%20X2527
http://www.corvetteamerica.com/cf/di...ord%3A%20X2527
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 2,008
Likes: 38
From: Space Coast Gator Territory
Can you provide a link to a kit with a backing plate? I have never seen one and not to confuse the mounting plate with a backing plate.
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Thread Starter
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 30,995
Likes: 98
From: Ontario
Yup...kit 23762 only provides well nuts, so that is how the dealers must have added the PS mirror. I know members on this forum have posted pictures on how they have done this successfully. I still like the idea of a backing plate, but you can't find fault with success. Maybe someone who has used well nuts can post how they have held up over time.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 2,008
Likes: 38
From: Space Coast Gator Territory
OK...I've answered my own question, Corvette America shows a backing plate included with their C-2 side mirror kits. Their exploded picture of parts includes all the parts you show. The CA C-3 side mirroe mounting kit only shows well nuts. I don't understand the wisdom of this, but I must assume they researched reqirements.
Last edited by Red 69; Jul 19, 2008 at 02:39 PM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 2,608
Likes: 3
From: TEXAS - you mean there are other states?
The inner reinforcement is well worth the effort to make the mirror stable. ON a car without the passenger isde option, it is a task to get the inner reinforcement in there.
Thread Starter
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 30,995
Likes: 98
From: Ontario
Red,
Now you have me thinking. (And that is normally dangerous to my well-being.) The pic shows an old C3 mirror on the left and an old C2 mirror on the right. The external bracket placed in the C2 mirror is from a C3. Fits pretty well. I'm wondering now if the C2 internal plate/reinforcement would work on a C3. Heck #23758 is only $10.99. Wish I had access to my 1967 to take the mount screws center-to-center measurement.
I wonder if Willcox would add that plate to my EBay order?
Now you have me thinking. (And that is normally dangerous to my well-being.) The pic shows an old C3 mirror on the left and an old C2 mirror on the right. The external bracket placed in the C2 mirror is from a C3. Fits pretty well. I'm wondering now if the C2 internal plate/reinforcement would work on a C3. Heck #23758 is only $10.99. Wish I had access to my 1967 to take the mount screws center-to-center measurement.
I wonder if Willcox would add that plate to my EBay order?
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 2,008
Likes: 38
From: Space Coast Gator Territory
I'm not sure I understand why a template is necessary. If you lay the mounting plate on a sheet of paper and just mark the holes, won't that do the job. As far as where it is located on the door, there is plenty of space to drill holes. As I stated earlier, my 69 had the mirror relocated on the DS door with three sets of holes, all in the backing plate. You might even want to find the spot that favors your seat location before drilling.
From the looks of the backing plate shown, one could be easily made from a scrap piece of 1/8 inch plate. Glue it to the inner door skin and mount the mirror after a drill and tap. I realize mounting the backing plate is no easy matter because of limited space. That is most likely why well nuts are used in C-3 kits. I've never done it, but the glass might need to be removed to make room to mount a backing plate. Can't anything ever be easy on these cars? Good Luck Paul! And please post your results?
From the looks of the backing plate shown, one could be easily made from a scrap piece of 1/8 inch plate. Glue it to the inner door skin and mount the mirror after a drill and tap. I realize mounting the backing plate is no easy matter because of limited space. That is most likely why well nuts are used in C-3 kits. I've never done it, but the glass might need to be removed to make room to mount a backing plate. Can't anything ever be easy on these cars? Good Luck Paul! And please post your results?
Thread Starter
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 30,995
Likes: 98
From: Ontario
My computer re-sizing skills are failing me. So please send by snail mail. But as Red has said you basically can just put it where you want to get maximum visibility.
I assume those rather large 3/8" holes are for well nuts?
Thread Starter
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 30,995
Likes: 98
From: Ontario
Thanks! I couldn't find that in the 1974 AIM. It looks like well nuts will do the job! I hope they come in the kit. Well, they better!!!
I thank everyone for their help today! I probably won't see the mirror from Willcox for 7-10 days but I will report back on my success ... or misery.
Last edited by Paul L; Jul 19, 2008 at 08:49 PM.
Racer
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 282
Likes: 20
From: Angleton, Tx
The well nuts will work fine if you drill the hole slightly smaller than they indicate in the instructions. You will also need to trim the plastic gasket holes larger to go around the well nuts or the mounting bracket will wobble.
I've had PS mirror installed for 10years w/no problems.
I've had PS mirror installed for 10years w/no problems.
Racer
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 397
Likes: 1
From: Tucson Arizona
I have a '74 with no passenger side mirror and would like to add one in the future. Can one of you guys email me the template?
polo1134@comcast.net
I would like to mount the mirror where they did back in the day. Don't want to mount the mirror and find that it was not really the best location!
polo1134@comcast.net
I would like to mount the mirror where they did back in the day. Don't want to mount the mirror and find that it was not really the best location!
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 2,577
Likes: 2
From: Long Island New York
When I got my 77 it had no p/s sport mirror on it so I picked one up on ebay used. I had no template to go by for mounting it so I took off my drivers side mirror, got a piece of tracing paper, lined it up with top edge of the door, taped it to the door, marked the holes and trimmed the paper to the shape of the front edge of door with a single edged razor blade. I then popped it off the door, flipped it over, lined it up and taped it to the passenger side door. I measured the diameter of the holes in the drivers side door by sticking drill bits in the hole until I found the correct size and then drilled the holes in the passenger side door right through the tracing paper and it came out perfect.
Racer
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 397
Likes: 1
From: Tucson Arizona
When I got my 77 it had no p/s sport mirror on it so I picked one up on ebay used. I had no template to go by for mounting it so I took off my drivers side mirror, got a piece of tracing paper, lined it up with top edge of the door, taped it to the door, marked the holes and trimmed the paper to the shape of the front edge of door with a single edged razor blade. I then popped it off the door, flipped it over, lined it up and taped it to the passenger side door. I measured the diameter of the holes in the drivers side door by sticking drill bits in the hole until I found the correct size and then drilled the holes in the passenger side door right through the tracing paper and it came out perfect.
Thanks for the good advice.