C2 Repro Rear Taillight Assembly

[Dave K.]

I purchased a repro. rear tailight set at Carlisle for my 66 and one of the four tail light assembly studs, over which a speed nut is installed to fasten the assembly to the tailight panel, was not properly masked when it was chrome plated. Consequently one of the two studs was chrome plated and is too hard for the speed nut to dig in to make threads. I don't know how deep the chrome plating is but I'm thinking of using a grinder to carefully grind away the plating to get to soft pot metal over which the speed nut can be installed. Any comments?

Regards,
Dave Kitch
33108

[Jerry Clark]

Re: C2 Repro Rear Taillight Assembly

David;
The chrome should not prove a problem, many of the reproduction housingsand emblems studs are chromed , speed nuts generally will cut the chrome with out a problem especially the stouter black GM originals which appear to be stamped of a better quality metal.
If yours will not start try some emery paper wrapped around the stud at the tip to chamfer it a bit more
best of luck
jerry

[Craig S.]

Re: C2 Repro Rear Taillight Assembly

Jer - Trim Parts uses the thick foam seals that hold the lights away from the body panels and don't allow them to draw up properly...where do you get seals that work with the trim parts housings?..thx, Craig

[Mike M.]

Re: C2 Repro Rear Taillight Assembly

i "start" threads with a die. mike

[Dave K.]

Re: C2 Repro Rear Taillight Assembly

Craig,

I had to grind down the gaskets to get them to fit. Too thick and little compression from seals.

Dave K.

[Jerry Clark]

Re: C2 Repro Rear Taillight Assembly

Craig
I have encountered the same problem
I often reproduce my own from thin rubber depending on fit, sometimes doubling them up.
Hope you are well
jer

[Craig S.]

Re: C2 Repro Rear Taillight Assembly

Thx Jer and Dave - good advice and doing fine.....take care!....Craig

[Dave K.]

Re: C2 Repro Rear Taillight Assembly

I used a Dremmel grinder and lightly ground the chrome plating. Speed nut went on OK.

Dave Kitch

[John H.]

Re: C2 Repro Rear Taillight Assembly

Same here - I put a new set of Trim Parts taillights on my '67 a couple of months ago; one stud on one lamp had pretty hard chrome on it, couldn't get the nut to cut threads. Out came the Dremel, off came the chrome, end of problem. They fit just fine with the supplied gaskets, drew up with no problem. Nice parts