I created a new tool to help with this task. Over the years I've dreaded installing these little buggers.
So I fired up the lathe and came up with this...." Method and Apparatus ".
P8130015.jpg
The tool is a cylindrical hollowed ended "Puller". This version will cover the C1 and C2 generations. I'm getting samples of the C3 fasteners and may need another version for those as I think they're a different tip diameter.
The original way to install these is to "Push" a blunt ended tool into the fastener, through the insulation, then through the firewall hole. Then with a helper pulling the tip with pliers or with a string tied to the tip, getting it to seat and lock in place. I work alone mostly, so it's a pain for me to use that method. Plus very often I end up punching through the tip with that tool.
My method is the opposite. I dip the rubber tip in a soapy water solution, push the fastener into the tool using a blunt tool, insert my tool into the insulation and firewall hole. Myself, or a helper, hooks a handle or a hook tool on the end of the tool and give it a good yank.
P8130020.jpg P8130023.jpg
The rubber stretches by pulling it out of the tool about a inch and a half, then you hear a "POP" as it releases and latches to the hole. DONE!
P8130028.jpg
I'm going to be driving up to Carlisle for the Corvette fun late tonight arriving Thursday morning early. I'll be hanging around with my good friends in their swap space (G 90 something), so stop by for a demo.
I'll have my one prototype tool with me, but I'm having more made professionally at a local machine shop.
Rich
So I fired up the lathe and came up with this...." Method and Apparatus ".
P8130015.jpg
The tool is a cylindrical hollowed ended "Puller". This version will cover the C1 and C2 generations. I'm getting samples of the C3 fasteners and may need another version for those as I think they're a different tip diameter.
The original way to install these is to "Push" a blunt ended tool into the fastener, through the insulation, then through the firewall hole. Then with a helper pulling the tip with pliers or with a string tied to the tip, getting it to seat and lock in place. I work alone mostly, so it's a pain for me to use that method. Plus very often I end up punching through the tip with that tool.
My method is the opposite. I dip the rubber tip in a soapy water solution, push the fastener into the tool using a blunt tool, insert my tool into the insulation and firewall hole. Myself, or a helper, hooks a handle or a hook tool on the end of the tool and give it a good yank.
P8130020.jpg P8130023.jpg
The rubber stretches by pulling it out of the tool about a inch and a half, then you hear a "POP" as it releases and latches to the hole. DONE!
P8130028.jpg
I'm going to be driving up to Carlisle for the Corvette fun late tonight arriving Thursday morning early. I'll be hanging around with my good friends in their swap space (G 90 something), so stop by for a demo.
I'll have my one prototype tool with me, but I'm having more made professionally at a local machine shop.Rich
While I was in the bay I noticed one of his insulation fasteners was missing. It's the one right above the gas pedal area, where the insulation is doubled up and overlapped. The head was on the inside but the tip was missing in the bay. It was dry and broken up when I got it out. The tool worked good there, as the back of the cylinder head was up tight against the firewall.
For the 1956 to 1962 C1's, the tool works great with the small diameter fasteners made for them. The 1963 to 1967 fastener has a slightly larger diameter. Could some of you with midyears please measure some of the holes in your firewalls? I had a few midyears that I measured and the holes were larger than the C1's. But also some that were nearly the same size as the C1's. Also, this tool appears it can be used for the C3 cars as their fastener diameter is similar to the C1 fastener. Why the C2 diameter got bigger is a unknown. They're harder to install.
Comment