1969 Firewall/Under body Pans and insulation

[Joseph A.]

I am restoring a 23K 427 Corvette and I have noticed several discrepancies between the JM and what my car has. First, starting at the firewall. The 2 white plastic shields were held at the top with large Zinc/Cad plated washers with 1/4" holes and nuts that are the same as those used to hold the battery cable clips to the body (with ext tooth washer, the teeth marks were in the washers). As a note, the passenger side shield was the early one which had the radius cut in it (car built Jan '69). Moving under the car the rear 2 screws for the metal shields and the front ones that attached the metal and plastic shields to the body were screwed directly into the brackets there were no u-nuts as stated in the AIM. Any thoughts.

[Joe L.]

Re: 1969 Firewall/Under body Pans and insulation

I am restoring a 23K 427 Corvette and I have noticed several discrepancies between the JM and what my car has. First, starting at the firewall. The 2 white plastic shields were held at the top with large Zinc/Cad plated washers with 1/4" holes and nuts that are the same as those used to hold the battery cable clips to the body (with ext tooth washer, the teeth marks were in the washers). As a note, the passenger side shield was the early one which had the radius cut in it (car built Jan '69). Moving under the car the rear 2 screws for the metal shields and the front ones that attached the metal and plastic shields to the body were screwed directly into the brackets there were no u-nuts as stated in the AIM. Any thoughts.

Joseph-------

On my original owner September, 1969 convertible, the screws you mention were originally self tapping sheet metal screws threaded directly into the brackets without the panel nuts shown in the AIM. I did this not for the sake of conformance with the AIM (these cannot be seen once installed) but for the sake of a more secure attachment.