1960 Body mount questions

[David Z.]

Greetings from a slightly cooler Texas; it's only 96 this afternoon!

I am changing out the body mount bolts and possibly the shims as well on my '60.

A few questions come to mind.

First, the two inboard rear (cockpit) bolts had fiberglass discs (washers) (pic attached) on them. Are these supposed to be there? Should they be on all of the cockpit body-mount bolts? The bolt you see is a "temp".

Second, the floor pan appears to sit about 1/2 to 5/8" above the frame as shimmed at present. I only found one of the rubber cushions and the floor pan sits about 1/4" above that.

My gut says re-shim it as is and let well enough alone.

Any info you might have about those fiberglass "washers" and pitfalls I might hit on replacing the shims will be appreciated.

Thanks!

Dave Zuberer

[Terry D.]

Re: 1960 Body mount questions

David
No fiberglass washers, when I remounted my 62 I was told to take all the mounting bolts out and let the car sit for a day then reinstall new bolts and shims accordingly. New kit is about $70. The AIM shows this pretty well.
Terry

[David Z.]

Re: 1960 Body mount questions

Thanks Terry.

I have the mount kit on order. I agree, the AIM lays this out quite well. I'm just never quite certain whether certain things were "added on" later or they're previous owner modifications.

Sounds like a good idea about loosening the bolts and letting it "flex" for a while!

Thanks for getting back to me!

Dave Zuberer

[Edward L.]

Re: 1960 Body mount questions

Greetings from a slightly cooler Texas; it's only 96 this afternoon!

I am changing out the body mount bolts and possibly the shims as well on my '60.

A few questions come to mind.

First, the two inboard rear (cockpit) bolts had fiberglass discs (washers) (pic attached) on them. Are these supposed to be there? Should they be on all of the cockpit body-mount bolts? The bolt you see is a "temp".

Second, the floor pan appears to sit about 1/2 to 5/8" above the frame as shimmed at present. I only found one of the rubber cushions and the floor pan sits about 1/4" above that.

My gut says re-shim it as is and let well enough alone.

Any info you might have about those fiberglass "washers" and pitfalls I might hit on replacing the shims will be appreciated.

Thanks!

Dave Zuberer

Dave:

There should be fiberglass washers under all the cockpit body mount bolts. However, I have never seen washers as thick as those you have pictured.

[Roy B.]

Re: 1960 Body mount questions

Round or square

[Ian G.]

Re: 1960 Body mount questions

washers on mine (59) are fiberglass and round

[David Z.]

Re: 1960 Body mount questions

Thanks for the replies everyone.

So, since there are fiberglass washers, who sells them and what were they supposed to accomplish? Were they there to cushion the "connection" between the bolt/washer and the cockpit floor pan? I took a brief look through Noland Adams' Vol. 1 last night but did not come up with any info.

It looks like all the kits I have found just have steel washers with them.

I'm just curious about the matter.

Thanks again!

Dave Z

[Edward L.]

Re: 1960 Body mount questions

Thanks for the replies everyone.

So, since there are fiberglass washers, who sells them and what were they supposed to accomplish? Were they there to cushion the "connection" between the bolt/washer and the cockpit floor pan? I took a brief look through Noland Adams' Vol. 1 last night but did not come up with any info.

It looks like all the kits I have found just have steel washers with them.

I'm just curious about the matter.

Thanks again!

Dave Z

I don't think anyone sells them. I just made them from fiberglass scrap.

Ed

[Ian G.]

Re: 1960 Body mount questions

You could just fabricate them by laying 4 layers of fiberglass matting and cutting them out. I'm no expert, but I imagine they are there to strengthen the fiberglass for the bolt since there is a lot of stress there, and they get cranked down pretty good.

Mine were glued down with the same glue they used in other places for the fiberglass at the factory. One broke loose when I removed the body bolts.

At the factory they made a lot of strengthening discs for various spots out of fiberglass scrap like Ed was saying.

[Roy B.]

Re: 1960 Body mount questions

You could just fabricate them by laying 4 layers of fiberglass matting and cutting them out. I'm no expert, but I imagine they are there to strengthen the fiberglass for the bolt since there is a lot of stress there, and they get cranked down pretty good.

Mine were glued down with the same glue they used in other places for the fiberglass at the factory. One broke loose when I removed the body bolts.

At the factory they made a lot of strengthening discs for various pots out of fiberglass scrap like Ed was saying.

And they keep the bolt head from cutting the body like a steel washer

[Bob S.]

Re: 1960 Body mount questions

David, My 59 also has the fiberglass washers under the inboard rear bolts. No where else.
As I am just about to bolt my body back down after a full restoration and paint the question I have is should there be some sort of sealant between the floor pan and washers? I know this is not how they were assembled originally but has anyone had problems with moisture coming through under the carpet? This is definately the time to address it.
Thoughts and advice appreciatied.
Sully

[David Z.]

Re: 1960 Body mount questions

Thanks for all the replies and the education.

Sully, I don't have any experience as this is the 1st 60 I've ever "pulled apart" but your point is well taken. I don't suppose it would hurt to stick a little 3M strip caulk under the washers above the floor pan. Interesting that your car only had them in the same location.

Anyone care to comment on whether "washers" cut from 1/8th inch thick Lexan (polycarbonate) might work OK instead of fiberglass?

Will these work?

http://www.smallparts.com/Fiberglass-ANSI-Flat-Washer-Thick/dp/B001DDAP80?ie=UTF8&qid=1252013996&pf_rd_r=1GGG5AM9CYWT48WKYND5&pf_rd_p=467590031&pf_rd_i=0&sr=1-13&pf_rd_s=center-3&pf_rd_m=AIUBT5HP6PMAF&pf_rd_t=301

Thanks again everyone!
Dave Z