Ballast Resister - swinging

[Rob M.]

I would appreciate some suggestions on how best to secure the ballast resister to the firewall . . . again. The screw just spins and the entire unit is loose (been that way since I purchased the car). What would you suggest to best solve this issue?

Thanks

[Joel T.]

Re: Ballast Resister - swinging

You might replace the self tapping bolt with a nut/bolt combination and tighten the nut from under the dash.. Had the same problem with my '63... the hole in the fiberglass wears over time and repeated assemblies.

Joel

[Peter J.]

Re: Ballast Resister - swinging

I did a "temporary" Buba Fix with my 66 several years ago - I wrapped the screw with a few layers of masking tape and screwed it back in. It held tight for several years until I cleaned up and painted the firewall this year.
I used JB Weld to close the hole a bit and it is good to go.

[Ronald L.]

Re: Ballast Resister - swinging

Rob, I tried the epoxy route last summer, that did not work. Have to see where JB Weld can be purchased and try that.

[Peter J.]

Re: Ballast Resister - swinging

Ronald,
Lowe's, Home Depot or any local hardware store will have it. I always thought it was some kind of snake oil product until I tried it on striped headlight motor anchor bolt hole several years a go and after it dried I drilled and taped it and is still hold that bolt in place.
Pete

[Chuck G.]

Re: Ballast Resister - swinging

You might replace the self tapping bolt with a nut/bolt combination and tighten the nut from under the dash.. Had the same problem with my '63... the hole in the fiberglass wears over time and repeated assemblies.

Joel

Sorta similar solution...

I used the original self tapping screw, but backed it with a flat "pal nut" under the dash.

Chuck

[Duke W.]

Re: Ballast Resister - swinging

One of those plastic wall anchors might work, then just snug the screw. This is a common problem on C2s because the screw just threads into the fiberglass.

Duke

[Tracy C.]

Re: Ballast Resister - swinging

I would appreciate some suggestions on how best to secure the ballast resister to the firewall . . . again. The screw just spins and the entire unit is loose (been that way since I purchased the car). What would you suggest to best solve this issue?

Thanks

Cut a 1" dia piece of .060 alum sheet stock and bond it to the inside of the cowling where the screw is located. Use thick paste epoxy so it will hold the shim stock in location until it sets up. Next day, drill a hole through the cowling/shim stock the pilot diameter of the mounting screw and reattach the resistor.

This should last forever and will allow design intended installation as opposed to a nut and washer on the inside.

tc

[Gary N.]

Re: Ballast Resister - swinging

I bought one of those fiberglass repair kits at Walmart. I shredded up a small bit of the glass cloth and mixed the resin and saturated the glass and carefully put it into the enlarged hole and let it harden. I used a small stick to get it into the hole. I didn't close the hole up all the way and after it sets up you can sand it , if needed and put a little black paint on it and rethread the screw into the hole. I did it several years ago and it still holding just fine.

[Paul J.]

Re: Ballast Resister - swinging

I bought one of those fiberglass repair kits at Walmart. I shredded up a small bit of the glass cloth and mixed the resin and saturated the glass and carefully put it into the enlarged hole and let it harden. I used a small stick to get it into the hole. I didn't close the hole up all the way and after it sets up you can sand it , if needed and put a little black paint on it and rethread the screw into the hole. I did it several years ago and it still holding just fine.

Rob;

Stay away from Bubba! Fix it right and you'll only have to do it once. Gary's suggestion above is the quickest of the "correct" repairs, and it won't detract from the car should you ever sell it.

The only thing that I would do differently is I would completely fill the hole and redrill it.

Paul

[Stuart F.]

Re: Ballast Resister - swinging

I did similar fix on hole for tie strap holding hose on outside of hood strut. The hose turns at that point which puts a lot of strain on that strap.

Stu Fox

[Randy R.]

Re: Ballast Resister - swinging

Take a small piece of thin copper wire, less the insulation and place it in the hole with the screw.

Randy

[Jim T.]

Re: Ballast Resister - swinging

Ronald,
Lowe's, Home Depot or any local hardware store will have it. I always thought it was some kind of snake oil product until I tried it on striped headlight motor anchor bolt hole several years a go and after it dried I drilled and taped it and is still hold that bolt in place.
Pete

WAL-MART sells it in the automotive section.

[David C.]

Re: Ballast Resister - swinging

I went with the JB weld route on my '66. I completely filled the hole then redrilled the proper size. The color even looks good. 2 years and still holding (I drive the car)

[Rob M.]

Re: Ballast Resister - swinging

Thank you to all! Most of the ideas presented I have thought about trying (except the .060 metal route).