C2, 65 side exhaust, rocker panel installation

[Dave Schenk]

I am installing a side exhaust top rocker panel(small) to the side exhaust cover on my big block 1965, original side exhaust car. This rocker panel covers the 5-6 screws that hold the exhaust cover to the car. The rocker panel is held on with only 2 screws. My problem is after installing the two screws (front/rear), I open the door and look down, there is a 1/4" gap from the side of the rocker panel and the side of the car. It seems there should be a retainer strip, as used in the non-side exhaust large rocker panels? I could fabricate some type of clips but I would like this car to be a factory stock restoration. Also, if you have a interest in exchanging ideas on 65's, 396/425
rodsters, e-mail me, Dave, dschenk@hpproducts.net.

[John H.]

Re: C2, 65 side exhaust, rocker panel installation

Dave -

Sidepipe cars use exactly the same rocker molding retainer strip as standard cars; the top edge of the (narrow) rocker molding hooks over the top of the retainer strip (which snugs it up against the body) just like the regular production molding. Most of the resto parts houses have the retainer strips for about $10.

[Wayne K.]

Re: C2, 65 side exhaust, rocker panel installation

Dave,

There is a steel piece ( rocker panel molding retainer ) that runs the lenghth of the rocker panel and I don't remember if it mounts before or after the shield but the molding you're talking about hooks over it and that is what keeps it tight against the body so you don't have a gap. You should be able to get them from any of the suppliers that offer side exhaust mounting kits. I also remember I had to leave the mounting screws loose to get the molding on easier and not damage the car and made a tool to go up from the backside and turn the screws tight from the screw end rather than the head end. I then put a dab of undercoat on the end of each screw ( high temp ATV would work too ) that when hard keeps the screws tight as I found out that they like to back themselves out from vibration. I've been running them for six years, no problems. Hope this helps.

[Norris W.]

Re: C2, 65 side exhaust, rocker panel installation

Ironically, I just put the side exhaust back on one of my 67's today that's been apart since 1994. I thought I'd be smart and get the assy. manual out and it doesn't show the strip as being used. Anyhow, the strip goes on first using the next to front and next to rear screws. The sidepipe cover has notches in these two positions so that the cover goes on OVER these two screws. I tightend all the screws before installing the moulding and didn't have any trouble bumping them on.

[John H.]

Re: C2, 65 side exhaust, rocker panel installation

The '67 A.I.M. shows the rocker molding retainer in UPC N14, Sheet A2 ("prod. retainer", center of illustration), and on Sheet A3, second illustration from the top, right side of page, "prod. retainer", in the section that shows how the retainer, cover, and molding are layered.

[Norris W.]

Re: C2, 65 side exhaust, rocker panel installation

John, I don't have mine at home, but in the options section, where I was looking it showed the clips in the side of the car, the screws with arrows lining up into the clips and the sidepipe cover going straight to them with no strip. I'll have to look tomorrow and see if there's another page I missed, but this drawing seems misleading at the very least.