C1 Door Panels

[Christopher R.]

Another Winter project are the door panels on my '62. I have the usual problem that the mounting screw holes are enlarged to the point where even an oversize screw won't hold. Time to rebuild the holes. I know about reglassing the holes, which I don't want to do. I know about using those plastic inserts used to hold screws in drywall or masonry. May do that in some places.

Also know that Corvete Central sells a kit for this purpose. The kit consists of metal squares and pop rivets. You install the square over the hole with pop rivets. Then drill a new hole into the metal square.

Anybody have any comments on this technique?

Any other ideas on ways to fix this problem?

[David Lyon]

Re: C1 Door Panels

Chris,

In 1982, I used the same method as the new metal/rivet kits on my '58. No kits at that time so I had the metal cut and I drilled for the rivets and door panel holes. Never had a problem for 20 years. Plan to install my new interior in the spring and will use the same plates. May have to re-drill holes, but I'm not there yet so we'll see. By the way, my car is a driver, so I don't know what the impact would be if you plan to have NCRS judging done. Definitely not the way it was delivered to the dealer.

David

[Mike M.]

Re: C1 Door Panels

chris and Dave: common problem with c-1's. thirty some years ago, i cut 11/2" squares out of 20 gauge metal but i installed them on the backside of the inner door walls so judges couldn't detect them(detection might be a problem if you mount the metal plates between new door panel and the inner wall of the door. ) its a bigger pain in the butt installing then on the outboard side of the inner door wall but no judge will see them there. simply drill two holes alongside the enlarged factory hole in the door for your rivets, place metal plate on back side and mark the plates with magic marker thru the holes you drilled in the fiberglass. that way you can remove the plates , drill the marked holes in them , then rivet them in place.good luck, mike

[Mike M.]

Re: C1 Door Panels

PS-- getting caught by certain judges akin to swallowing a quadruple dose of exlax whereas "fooling" them akin swllowing a brewski. mike

[David Lyon]

Re: C1 Door Panels

Mike,

You're absolutely correct. They should go on the inner part of the door. I do have a slight gap between panels and door. This time I plan to place the plates on the inner side to correct this minor defect. However, it's a driver and will not be judged to NCRS, etc. standards while I am the proud owner.

David

[Ed Jennings]

Re: C1 Door Panels

I would use the metal plates from CC, or simply make your own. The constant stress on the door panel screws from closing the door will eventually loosen any other method you try. Inertia makes the door panel try to pop the screws out every time you close the door. As suggested, they are probably better on the inside of the door, especially the ones at the front/top that might be visable.