Replacing rocker molding mounting tabs
Unfortunately my non-sidepipe '65 had sidepipes installed when I got it. I've replaced them with correct undercar exhaust. The last step is to install the rocker moldings. Of course the previous owner cut off the 5 tabs on each side (wish he would have just bent them) and I'm faced with reattaching the tabs to secure the bottom of the molding. I've sourced tabs from another car that added sidepipes and cut off the tabs even with the bottom of the body. Has anyone reattached the cutoff tabs and if so can you give me some advice on how to do that? I know I can buy the complete tabs from Corvette Central and pull the body to install them, but would prefer not to do it that way. Advice and/or pictures would be appreciated.
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Re: Replacing rocker molding mounting tabs
Kent,
I don't think this will help you but here is my story. I have a similar problem but with only 2 tabs that were cut (the bottom half of each tab was cut off), one tab on each side of the car just in front of the rear wheel on my '66. Since I have only one "partially amputated" tab on each side of my car it is not a real problem. I did manage to get a few original tabs off 63-67 Corvettes back in the 1980's from a salvage yard in Leominster, MA, that actually had Corvettes, believe it or not. My plan has been just to cut the bottom half of 2 salvage yard tabs and have someone weld them on to the top half of the 2 "partially amputated" tabs on my car. I just have not got around to do it yet. As I usually say, "Some day I'll get to it". I'm sure my problem is nothing compared to your problem. About 20 or 25 years ago, I bought a bunch (8, 10, or 12, I forget) 63-67 Corvette tabs (reproduction, I believe) at a swap meet, probably Carlisle or maybe it was Corvette Carlisle. I'm not sure if I should replace the 2 "amputated" rear tabs with these new tabs or try to fix the old ones. As best as I can remember the tabs are just spot welded to the steel rocker panel plate which is connected to the fiberglass floor. My concern is will the heat from spot welding the 2 new tabs on have any effect on the fiberglass. I would appreciate some advice as well.
Dave -
Re: Replacing rocker molding mounting tabs
The only correct way to repair would be to lift the body and weld new tabs on, if there is enough of the old tabs remaining you could do what a friend of mine did and overlap the replacement tabs with the new tabs and fastened them together with self tapping sheet metal screws.Comment
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Re: Replacing rocker molding mounting tabs
Last year I reconverted a car from side pipes back to under car. I also found cutoff tabs and MIG welded them to the stubs after careful fitting. Then ground the welds flush and painted. You also have some fiberglass work to do as the forward and sometimes rear lower fender extensions are also removed for side pipes. I used those cut off another car, but I believe patch pieces are available from several suppliers.Comment
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