1971 Interior Panels
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 120
Likes: 1
From: CT
1971 Interior Panels
I've been re-doing the interior on my 71. Complete removal, refurb and re-installation. I was puzzled to find that there were no screws in the holes on the kick panels just forward of the ventilation dampers. Even more puzzled to find that there are no holes/penetrations in the area to fasten a screw to. Is this common?? I suppose I can simply locate and drill a hole where it looks to be correct with the panel as a template but would certainly feel better if I knew why there was none and if this were common.
Any ideas or pictures of where the hole should be?
I expect just forward of the damper enclosure.
Howard
Any ideas or pictures of where the hole should be?
I expect just forward of the damper enclosure.
Howard
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 31,338
Likes: 4,458
From: Westminster Maryland
Hi Howard,
The kick panels each had 2 holes preformed along their forward edge.
The screw was in the hole near the center of vent.
The hole in the cowls is tucked just behind the fiberglass flange on the plenum and difficult to locate.
Regards,
Alan
Left side panel
Right side plenum
The kick panels each had 2 holes preformed along their forward edge.
The screw was in the hole near the center of vent.
The hole in the cowls is tucked just behind the fiberglass flange on the plenum and difficult to locate.
Regards,
Alan
Left side panel
Right side plenum
Last edited by Alan 71; Apr 3, 2017 at 06:47 PM.
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 19,294
Likes: 2,754
From: Charlotte NC
You can do as you wish...but if there are no holes I would not loose any sleep over it. The reason being...when the kick plate is slid over the edge at the door jamb and positioned...and then the door sill is installed ...that will hold the kick plate from EVER falling out. Now...if the back area of the kick where the screws are installed usually lays flat and you can not tell the screw is not there...and I have yet to have any of my customers Corvettes that do not have these screws allow the kick plate to make noise when being driven.
Now I will install these screws if asked...but if they have not been there..and the customer does not know and they are not having any issues...then I leave well enough alone due to more than likely I will have to remove it for a repair in the future. The passenger side is not that bad...but the driver side can be a pain in the backside.
I do not want to come across as not repairing things correctly...but I have been doing this for a long time and I cannot count the number of Corvettes that do not have these screws and you could not tell visually at all. But do as you see fit.
DUB
Now I will install these screws if asked...but if they have not been there..and the customer does not know and they are not having any issues...then I leave well enough alone due to more than likely I will have to remove it for a repair in the future. The passenger side is not that bad...but the driver side can be a pain in the backside.
I do not want to come across as not repairing things correctly...but I have been doing this for a long time and I cannot count the number of Corvettes that do not have these screws and you could not tell visually at all. But do as you see fit.
DUB
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 120
Likes: 1
From: CT
DUB, Alan,
Thanks for the feedback. I was right on with where I was looking for the holes based on the pictures but they just aren't there. I find that odd. I get the point that the panels are secured pretty well with the sill and I think the dash panel may even help secure them as well. Just being thorough. I'll decide what to do as I move forward.
Appreciate the sage advice from folks who have done it before.
Thanks again guys!!!!
Thanks for the feedback. I was right on with where I was looking for the holes based on the pictures but they just aren't there. I find that odd. I get the point that the panels are secured pretty well with the sill and I think the dash panel may even help secure them as well. Just being thorough. I'll decide what to do as I move forward.
Appreciate the sage advice from folks who have done it before.
Thanks again guys!!!!
Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 5,255
Likes: 771
From: Waterford WI
I've seen several 70-72 cars that had no evidence of any holes from the factory. I'm guessing that workers on the line could get away with not installing that, because it really wasn't necessary, as already mentioned, and what inspector would look for that?
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 31,338
Likes: 4,458
From: Westminster Maryland
Hi Howard,
I find that because of the pressure from the thickness of the carpet at the bottom of the kick panel vent plenum the screw in the kick panel is required to hold the panel tight against the plenum face.
Do the kick panels have the hole for the screws? I'm under the impression they were molded into the part.
I would add the screws as part of an interior restoration. Once you locate the hole, (it's right behind the lip), it's no trouble to put the screw in place.
Regards,
Alan
It's easily hidden by the lip and by the edge of the insulation mat.
I find that because of the pressure from the thickness of the carpet at the bottom of the kick panel vent plenum the screw in the kick panel is required to hold the panel tight against the plenum face.
Do the kick panels have the hole for the screws? I'm under the impression they were molded into the part.
I would add the screws as part of an interior restoration. Once you locate the hole, (it's right behind the lip), it's no trouble to put the screw in place.
Regards,
Alan
It's easily hidden by the lip and by the edge of the insulation mat.
Last edited by Alan 71; Apr 4, 2017 at 07:37 AM.
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 19,294
Likes: 2,754
From: Charlotte NC
I have used my drift pin to locate the hole... if there was one there ( becasue I did not want to write that because soemmemebrs feel i am full of car anyway)..and IF the customer want them in place... I do it...but I have done more than I can count (which means nothing at all) and never had a customer complain that the kick plate was out to far....and that is even on the cars that I install the Dynamat products for heat and noise.
This is a scenario...'to each his/her own'.
DUB
This is a scenario...'to each his/her own'.
DUB
