Removing installed Side Exhaust

[Jonathan S.]

All,

Looking for a little guidance here. The previous owner of my '65 installed side exhaust pipes, for which he bent the rocker panel mount brackets back and cut a radius in the front right and left fender tips. Using a set of old rocker panel moldings I have successfully managed to bend the rocker panel mount brackets back into a somewhat correct placement, but because the radius was cut in the fender tips I cannot install the rocker front brackets that are supposed to be riveted to the fender tips.

What all is involved in replacing the fiberglass fender tips, such that I can attach the rocker front brackets?

[Bob R.]

Re: Removing installed Side Exhaust

The tips are missing on my 63 and the rocker covers still fit and cover the area. The rockers are held in place at the top by a small metal clip the runs the entire legnth of the rocker panel and on the bottom by the brackets that were bent when installing the side pipes. Long Island Corvette does sell a fiberglass repair piece for this area.

[Jonathan S.]

Re: Removing installed Side Exhaust

That is what I thought. The installation of the fiberglass repair piece is what I need to know what I am getting myself into before embarking on it.

[Ronald L.]

Re: Removing installed Side Exhaust

I have seen these little pieces, should be able to bond it in from the back side and make it look near original with a little finesse work.

Suggestion is to make a fixture from something like wood, wax paper it then clamp the joint, it will be much stronger.

[George C.]

Re: Removing installed Side Exhaust

Jonathan,
I have also removed the side pipes from my 65, and installed the regular rocker mouldings. As Rob stated in a response above, the fiberglass tips are not required to hold the rocker trim plates in place. If you are not having the car judged it may not matter to you.
In my case bubba also cut off all of the moulding clips, which means that I was able to install the mouldings using the retainer plate, and the one screw on either end of the moulding.
George