Railroadman

Any suggestions on repair or work-around on broken tabs on the headlight bucket? One bucket has the side tab broken, the other has one down under. I suppose if 3 out of 4 screws are in and tight it would be OK for a driver, but I'd feel a bit better if I had all 4. And at $230 or so each, I really don't want to get new ones!

Perhaps a piece of steel about the same size as the tab, epoxied to the tab itself? But then the J-nut will be too far from the bezel. A shim in between maybe?

I think we're going to Tennessee for a couple weeks to avoid the storm, so by the time we get back early February, I'll be ready to get going on it.

65 Pro Vette

Railroadman

Perhaps cut the broken part off flush with the bucket itself?

58n65

I have a couple broken tabs and this is what I'm planning to do or mount a piece of metal along the inside of the tab that would stick up high enough to get a regular j-nut on it. Probably my next thing to do when this carpet is finished.

Thanks,
Dex.

Railroadman

OK, now I get what 65 Provette was getting at. I read the words but my brain pictured something else. At least using his method the J-nut would be the same distance inboard as original, The way I was thinking, like 58n65, you might need a longer screw at the least.

pchalpin

Pardon my ignorance. What is a long tab J nut?

Factoid

Railroadman

One with a long enough "tall part of the "J" to allow it to be fastened to the broken tab and yet still stick up far enough to be useful.

This isn't exactly it, but should hive you a general idea:


EDIR: On consideration, the long part is where the threaded hole is, so you would have to have something a bit different from this

pop23235

I would not recommend removal of the remaining tab as this locates the hole in the correct position for the J nut.

Railroadman

Why didn't I think of that? Thanks!

65GGvert

I laid a piece of metal along the existing tab bent it toward the side and then back flush so that when you tighten the screw on the bezel it doesn't pull against the tab at an angle.. (Used J-B weld.)

Ron Miller

I have fixed a similar broken tab by building up the old tab with fiberglass. You can shape it up with a file after it has set up to a degree, and shape it very similar to the missing piece. Won't hurt anything if the longer piece extends somewhat along the remaining tab, just don't leave it too thick at the hole so the u nut or j nut will fit. Been a long while back, but worked for me.

Fiberglass will give a good bond, fixes a lot of things with a little imagination!

Best Regards!

Railroadman

Thanks guys! One good thing is it's not a high-stress application - it holds the bezel on but there's no force other than vibration and gravity working against it.

Might even take it south for the vacation and tinker with it down there.

58n65

I finally got around to fitting a longer J-nut on my broken tab. At the position, in the picture below, the headlight cover will line up perfect. Not sure it'll hold without JB Weld, but we'll see.



Thanks,
Dex

Railroadman

What was your source for the J-nut?

58n65

Believe it or not, I found it laying in my workshop. Not even sure where it came from, but it seems like it'll work. I still plan on using JB Weld to help hold it in place. BTW, I was going to go by Lowes to see if they carried them in the Specialty parts bins, but never did.

Thanks,
Dex.

Railroadman

Thanks Dex. I'm still catching up from 2 1/2 weeks out of town, but will be getting back into the project ASAP. I'm sure they are out there somewhere, just have to find the right size. (You have a nice state, I used to work in Kosciusko at one time)

58n65

Thank you sir! I've never been to Kosciusko before, but I love the south! I've never been to Rochester, but I've driven from Buffalo to New York City. Beautiful drive, plus a ton of dead deer on the interstate. Good luck in finding the J-nuts. Should be able to find them at the local hardware store.