C3 chrome mirror question
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 1999
Posts: 3,078
Likes: 1
C3 chrome mirror question
Any of you guys with early C3's have problems with your chrome mirrors being deflected by the wind at highway (or higher) speeds? This has been a real problem for me. To the point that I've been tempted to get a late-C3 type "sport mirror" that is more aerodynamic and immune from being flattened by the wind.
But before I go unoriginal and make the logical choice, has anybody installed brand new chrome mirrors on their C3's? And if so, how do they hold up to the slipstream at speed?
But before I go unoriginal and make the logical choice, has anybody installed brand new chrome mirrors on their C3's? And if so, how do they hold up to the slipstream at speed?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 5,635
Likes: 4
From: Orlando Floriduh
Re: C3 chrome mirror question (MoMo)
Just keep your cruising speed under 120mph...no problem. :lol: :lol:
I put a few drops of HIGH QUAILTY super glue from a hobby shop or industrial supply house in the ball socket and it will still adjust but take more effort. Works for me.
I put a few drops of HIGH QUAILTY super glue from a hobby shop or industrial supply house in the ball socket and it will still adjust but take more effort. Works for me.
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 117
Likes: 0
From: winnipeg manitoba
Re: C3 chrome mirror question (MoMo)
A brand new mirror will do the same thing i replaced mine back in 1986 and it would droop with the car just idling due to the rough idle of the cam . :crazy: some superglue will do the trick.
Ken :cheers:
Ken :cheers:
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 3,472
Likes: 1
From: Godspeed Mikey Hogsmak Invitational Spring Skyline Drive Corvette Cruise
Cruise-In I Veteran
Cruise-In II Veteran
Re: C3 chrome mirror question (MoMo)
I just bought a new right and left replacement from Paragon, I only had the left on my 69 and it was doing the same thing the new ones which I hadn't installed yet but the are very firm to adjust, I also heard of the superglue trick but never tried it. :cheers:
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 2,310
Likes: 1
Re: C3 chrome mirror question (MoMo)
My original is still fine (no unwanted movements due to vibration or wind) and the passenger mirror (from ZIP) I installed a little over a year ago ( http://users.erols.com/jerryp58/corv...ightmirror.htm ) is doing great (wood :smash: ).
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 2,107
Likes: 14
From: Lancaster PA
Re: C3 chrome mirror question (Chuck Harmon)
I used on of those spring loaded center punches and punched some dimples on the ball of the mirror. That has tightened it up considerably. I also had a new one that didn't stay tight for very long. With the dimple method it can still be adjusted. Craig :chevy
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 235
Likes: 2
From: York pa
Re: C3 chrome mirror question (MoMo)
I actually repaired mine from a tip I found on the forum a few years ago. Soak the mirror in Lacquer thinner or mineral spirits for sometime. This will loosen the adhesive that hold the mirror to the swivel head. Remove the mirror to expose the rivets. The rivets loosen over time. Just take a small punch and punch some dimples into the rivets. Reglue the mirror to the head using any automotive adhesive. I have doen a number of times :thumbs:
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 1999
Posts: 3,078
Likes: 1
Re: C3 chrome mirror question (GDaina)
Chuck, the big block is wild. I'm still tuning it, which is really difficult in the winter. It's frustrating because I have to wait for the occaisional nice day to take it out. I could go out and tune it now but there's a very cold wind blowing and it's nice and warm in here.
The Corvette is very loud with it's 4 inch exhaust. It sounds like a funny car cruising down the street. It's a lot of fun to drive. Goes sideways with just a blip of the throttle, without ever getting into the secondaries.
I'm already seriously planning to swap out the stock trailing arms for offset trailing arms to allow use of 275/50R-15 drag radials.
The Corvette is very loud with it's 4 inch exhaust. It sounds like a funny car cruising down the street. It's a lot of fun to drive. Goes sideways with just a blip of the throttle, without ever getting into the secondaries.
I'm already seriously planning to swap out the stock trailing arms for offset trailing arms to allow use of 275/50R-15 drag radials.
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 1999
Posts: 2,897
Likes: 0
From: Moon Township PA
Re: C3 chrome mirror question (MoMo)
There was a post about this quite a while ago. The gist of it is that the securing socket, under the mirror, is loose. If you want to keep your original mirror, here is what I did to secure the ball in its socket.
1. remove the mirror - requires removal of the door inner panel, of course
2. soak the mirror head overnight in lacquer thinner - it will NOT affect the mirroring - you will need a container big enough for the mirror and at least 3" deep to allow the thinner to reach the glue
3. this will soften the glue that holds the glass to the steel backing
4. gently pull the mirror out and you will probably find four blobs of old adhesive - scrape these out
5. play with the mirror head and see how it all works and how loose it is
6. lightly stake the hold down mechanism with a sharp center punch - remember you can always go back and hit the punch a tad bit heavier but you can't undo a too-heavy hit
7. once you get the mirror head to the desired level of tightness, reglue your mirror with some good, high quality adhesive. I used a silicone based adhesive
8. reattach the mirror and look at all of the cars that are behind you :cheers:
Gary
1. remove the mirror - requires removal of the door inner panel, of course
2. soak the mirror head overnight in lacquer thinner - it will NOT affect the mirroring - you will need a container big enough for the mirror and at least 3" deep to allow the thinner to reach the glue
3. this will soften the glue that holds the glass to the steel backing
4. gently pull the mirror out and you will probably find four blobs of old adhesive - scrape these out
5. play with the mirror head and see how it all works and how loose it is
6. lightly stake the hold down mechanism with a sharp center punch - remember you can always go back and hit the punch a tad bit heavier but you can't undo a too-heavy hit
7. once you get the mirror head to the desired level of tightness, reglue your mirror with some good, high quality adhesive. I used a silicone based adhesive
8. reattach the mirror and look at all of the cars that are behind you :cheers:
Gary
Safety Car
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 3,581
Likes: 28
From: Spring, Texas
Re: C3 chrome mirror question (GaryS)
There was a post about this quite a while ago. The gist of it is that the securing socket, under the mirror, is loose. If you want to keep your original mirror, here is what I did to secure the ball in its socket.
1. remove the mirror - requires removal of the door inner panel, of course
2. soak the mirror head overnight in lacquer thinner - it will NOT affect the mirroring - you will need a container big enough for the mirror and at least 3" deep to allow the thinner to reach the glue
3. this will soften the glue that holds the glass to the steel backing
4. gently pull the mirror out and you will probably find four blobs of old adhesive - scrape these out
5. play with the mirror head and see how it all works and how loose it is
6. lightly stake the hold down mechanism with a sharp center punch - remember you can always go back and hit the punch a tad bit heavier but you can't undo a too-heavy hit
7. once you get the mirror head to the desired level of tightness, reglue your mirror with some good, high quality adhesive. I used a silicone based adhesive
8. reattach the mirror and look at all of the cars that are behind you :cheers:
Gary
1. remove the mirror - requires removal of the door inner panel, of course
2. soak the mirror head overnight in lacquer thinner - it will NOT affect the mirroring - you will need a container big enough for the mirror and at least 3" deep to allow the thinner to reach the glue
3. this will soften the glue that holds the glass to the steel backing
4. gently pull the mirror out and you will probably find four blobs of old adhesive - scrape these out
5. play with the mirror head and see how it all works and how loose it is
6. lightly stake the hold down mechanism with a sharp center punch - remember you can always go back and hit the punch a tad bit heavier but you can't undo a too-heavy hit
7. once you get the mirror head to the desired level of tightness, reglue your mirror with some good, high quality adhesive. I used a silicone based adhesive
8. reattach the mirror and look at all of the cars that are behind you :cheers:
Gary