C3 Tech/Performance V8 Technical Info, Internal Engine, External Engine, Basic Tech and Maintenance for the C3 Corvette
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

Headlight bezel screws

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Jan 24, 2015 | 09:59 PM
  #1  
LannyL81's Avatar
LannyL81
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
20 Year Member
Conversation Starter
 
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 3,322
Likes: 141
From: Green Valley Arizona
Default Headlight bezel screws

Anyone have a good "fix" for the two screws that go through the bezel and into the under side of the headlight covers or lids? Hopefully I am using the correct terms here. The holes are all stripped-out.

Is there an insert or something that can be put into the lids for these two screws?

Thanks.

Last edited by LannyL81; Jan 25, 2015 at 09:02 AM.
Reply
Old Jan 24, 2015 | 10:01 PM
  #2  
Willcox Corvette's Avatar
0Willcox Corvette
Former Vendor
 
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 76,656
Likes: 1,850
From: Jeffersonville Indiana 812-288-7103
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15
Default

I'm going to assume the holes are stripped out.. if they are you could coat the screw with mold release.. then fill the hole with epoxy... Insert the screw and then turn it 360 degrees. Allow the epoxy to dry and remove the screw.. you'll have a newly threaded hole.

IMHO,
Willcox
Reply
Old Jan 25, 2015 | 09:03 AM
  #3  
LannyL81's Avatar
LannyL81
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
20 Year Member
Conversation Starter
 
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 3,322
Likes: 141
From: Green Valley Arizona
Default

Mold release???...what can I use or where can I find a very small amount of mold release?

Thanks Willcox.
Reply
Old Jan 25, 2015 | 10:15 AM
  #4  
Mooser's Avatar
Mooser
Race Director
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 11,183
Likes: 3,333
From: North of Toronto - Ontario
Default

Check around for Loctite Form-A-Thread Stripped Thread Repair Kit
Autoparts places etc
M
Reply
Old Jan 25, 2015 | 10:38 AM
  #5  
LT-1 kid's Avatar
LT-1 kid
Melting Slicks
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 2,145
Likes: 283
From: cary Il
Default

x 2 on what the heck is mold release, is that an oil.
Reply
Old Jan 25, 2015 | 05:29 PM
  #6  
Willcox Corvette's Avatar
0Willcox Corvette
Former Vendor
 
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 76,656
Likes: 1,850
From: Jeffersonville Indiana 812-288-7103
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15
Default

Mold release is a compound we use in fabrication of fiberglass parts.. You could also use Pam cooking spray or something equivalent.

Or you could epoxy the holes drill and tap.

Willcox
Reply
Old Jan 26, 2015 | 08:47 AM
  #7  
VETTE N ME's Avatar
VETTE N ME
Racer
 
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 402
Likes: 1
From: Euclid Ohio 44132
Default Gorilla glue

I've used Gorilla glue in instances like this. I coat the screw with the glue and then screw it in the hole and let dry. When you have to take the screw out next time there will be new threads. A quick fix. I did this for the hole on a wheel for the centercap. Never had a problem with it again.
Reply
Old Jan 26, 2015 | 08:58 AM
  #8  
4SPDL81's Avatar
4SPDL81
Racer
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
 
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 337
Likes: 6
St. Jude Donor '16
Default

A 6/32 ( or is it 8/32 ? ) bottoming tap might restore the hole...Good Luck!
Reply
Corvette Stories

The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts

story-0

Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!

 Michael S. Palmer
story-1

10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know

 Joe Kucinski
story-2

5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2

 Michael S. Palmer
story-3

2027 Corvette vs The World: Every C8 vs Its Closest Competitor

 Joe Kucinski
story-4

10 Most Common Corvette Problems of the Last 20 Years!

 Joe Kucinski
story-5

5 MOST and 5 LEAST Popular Corvette Model Years in History!

 Joe Kucinski
story-6

2027 Corvette Buyer's Guide: Everything You Need to Know!

 Joe Kucinski
story-7

10 Things C8 Corvette Owners Hate (But Won't Tell You)

 Joe Kucinski
story-8

10 Best Corvettes Coming to Barrett-Jackson Palm Beach 2026!

 Brett Foote
story-9

Every Corvette Grand Sport Explained! (C2, C4, C6, C7, & C8)

 Joe Kucinski
Old Jan 26, 2015 | 12:08 PM
  #9  
Willcox Corvette's Avatar
0Willcox Corvette
Former Vendor
 
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 76,656
Likes: 1,850
From: Jeffersonville Indiana 812-288-7103
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15
Default

Originally Posted by VETTE N ME
I've used Gorilla glue in instances like this. I coat the screw with the glue and then screw it in the hole and let dry. When you have to take the screw out next time there will be new threads. A quick fix. I did this for the hole on a wheel for the centercap. Never had a problem with it again.


Might be best for the home repair, the epoxy we use (PC7) sticks to the screws so well you have to coat them or you'll never get them out.

Willcox
Reply
Old Jan 26, 2015 | 01:18 PM
  #10  
LannyL81's Avatar
LannyL81
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
20 Year Member
Conversation Starter
 
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 3,322
Likes: 141
From: Green Valley Arizona
Default

I put a small amount of JB Weld into the holes and sprayed each screw with silcon, inserted screws and let it set for a couple of hours, removed screws and let set overnight. Put screws in this morning and screws had some bite and held the bezels on just fine.

Job done.

Thanks once again Willcox.
Reply
Old Jan 26, 2015 | 04:48 PM
  #11  
7T1vette's Avatar
7T1vette
Team Owner
15 Year Member
Community Builder
Community Influencer
Top Answer: 5
 
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37,637
Likes: 3,113
From: Crossville TN
Default

Drill the old threads out with a 1/4" drill. Drill as deep as the old threads...but no farther. Fill the holes with JB Weld stick (2-part putty) epoxy and let dry overnight.

I believe that the original screws were #8 fine-thread machine screws. In any case, decide what screws you are going to use and drill and tap new holes in the epoxy for those screws. Just remember that you should only tighten them to "snug", as the original aluminum AND the new epoxy are rather soft. (That's why most of them strip out in the first place.) I've done this on a couple of those holes and haven't had any problem with them backing out.
Reply
Old Mar 1, 2021 | 12:01 AM
  #12  
Gale Banks 80''s Avatar
Gale Banks 80'
Safety Car
15 Year Member
Photogenic
Photoriffic
Top Answer: 1
 
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 3,709
Likes: 550
From: Seattle Washington
Default

I have mine torn completely apart and intend to use Heli Coils to repair. But what size ? 8-32 looks to be to fine and 8-24 doesn't want to screw in either. 6-32 is way to small. The general didn't get creative and make a thread of there own did they ?
Reply
Old Mar 1, 2021 | 05:00 PM
  #13  
Gale Banks 80''s Avatar
Gale Banks 80'
Safety Car
15 Year Member
Photogenic
Photoriffic
Top Answer: 1
 
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 3,709
Likes: 550
From: Seattle Washington
Default

Looks as though the aftermarket screws that are sold in a kit for the bezels are 8-32. So that's what they will be.
Reply
Old Mar 2, 2021 | 08:05 AM
  #14  
VERYSOON's Avatar
VERYSOON
Burning Brakes
20 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 916
Likes: 196
From: TX
Default

I had one strip and used a helicoil as Gale Banks suggested. Size is 8-32. 11/64 drill bit. Worked great and used original screw..

VS
Reply

Get notified of new replies

To Headlight bezel screws





All times are GMT -4. The time now is 04:46 AM.

story-0
Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!

Slideshow: the top 10 things Corvette owners want in the C9 Corvette

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-04-30 12:41:15


VIEW MORE
story-1
10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know

Slideshow: 10 Important Corvette 'firsts' that every fan should know.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-29 17:02:16


VIEW MORE
story-2
5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2

Slideshow: Should you buy a 2020-2026 Corvette or wait for 2027?

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-04-22 10:08:58


VIEW MORE
story-3
2027 Corvette vs The World: Every C8 vs Its Closest Competitor

Slideshow: 2027 Corvette lineup vs the world.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-24 16:12:42


VIEW MORE
story-4
10 Most Common Corvette Problems of the Last 20 Years!

Slideshow: 10 major Corvette problems from the last 20 years.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-14 16:37:05


VIEW MORE
story-5
5 MOST and 5 LEAST Popular Corvette Model Years in History!

Slideshow: 5 most and least popular Corvette model years.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-08 13:25:01


VIEW MORE
story-6
2027 Corvette Buyer's Guide: Everything You Need to Know!

Slideshow: 2027 Corvette buyer's guide

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-17 16:41:08


VIEW MORE
story-7
10 Things C8 Corvette Owners Hate (But Won't Tell You)

Slideshow: 10 things C8 Corvette owners hate, but won't tell you.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-01 18:36:07


VIEW MORE
story-8
10 Best Corvettes Coming to Barrett-Jackson Palm Beach 2026!

Slideshow: Should you add one of these incredible Corvettes to your garage?

By Brett Foote | 2026-04-01 18:14:05


VIEW MORE
story-9
Every Corvette Grand Sport Explained! (C2, C4, C6, C7, & C8)

Slideshow: Every Corvette Grand Sport explained

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-03-26 07:13:44


VIEW MORE