C-3 Firewall/carpet grommets

[John D.]

Is there a trick to getting these grommets installed? A 1/4 inch bolt fits in the grommet hole, but when you try to push it in, it just pokes a hole thru the grommet. Even a liberal amount of silicone doesn't help. There must be a trick or a tool to do this???

Please help me out.

[Bob Simard]

C-3 Firewall/carpet grommets

It takes a fancy tool to install these grommets. This tool can be assembled with a straight 1/8 " pegboard peg (0r any 1/8th inch rod), a fender washer, a plastic tip to cushion the end of the peg, and a pair of vice-grips. Place the plastic tip on the 1/8th inch rod, slide the fender washer over the end and hold the peg/rod with the vice grips. The exposed end on the peg should extend about 1/4 inch longer than the length of the grommet. Place a drop of dish soap on the end of the grommet and use the tool to push the grommet thru the carpet and into the firewall. The fender washer prevents the peg from going thru the end of the grommet. The extra length allows the grommet to stretch and the soap is the best lubricant around for this job. Good luck.

[Jim T.]

Re: C-3 Firewall/carpet grommets

A article was written on this and published in the Corvette Restorer.

[John H.]

Re: C-3 Firewall/carpet grommets

In the plant, dash mat and carpet rubber retainers were a two-person job; once the guy on the inside with the tool got the point through the firewall, the other guy grabbed it with a pair of duckbill pliers and pulled on it while the guy on the inside pushed. Retainers were pre-heated under a sun lamp in a baking pan on the bench top, and dipped in a Joy soap/water solution just prior to installation. Original retainers were higher durometer (stiffer) than the currently available parts.