60 Door Reveal Molding Reinforcement

[Bob Malone #35242]

I cannot find anywhere in the AIM where it calls out door reveal molding retainer strips which are available from several sources. This is a piece of metal that follows the contours of the fiberglass on the outside upper door.
My car can certainly use some strengthening in this area due to years of flexing and extra holes being drilled.
I have two questions. First, were these installed at the factory? Mine did not have them but there were several parts mine didn't have. Secondly, are they designed to go on top of the fiberglass or inside the door cavity. I would think inside, under the fiberglass.
Thanks,

[John M.]

Re: 60 Door Reveal Molding Reinforcement

Bob, On 60 cars the strip you are refering to was not used. In 60 the reveal moulding was held in place by spring loaded T clips which had threaded studs and were secured by nuts on the inside of the door. The strips were used on earlier cars and were attached to the outside of the door and the reveal was attached to the strip with screws from the glass side of the reveal. I have made custom reinforcement plates for the inside of the door at each stud to help spread the load out. It is quite common for the inside edge of the slots to be broke out and the little homemade plates work quite well. It is a real bitch getting the front nut started on the stud,and having arms like an ape,with skinny fingers is a real plus!!

[Ed Jennings]

Re: 60 Door Reveal Molding Reinforcement

A flex shaft nutdriver will work wonders, as will a 3/8" combination wrench that's about 3" long.

[Bob Malone #35242]

Re: 60 Door Reveal Molding Reinforcement

Thanks John,
Having toyed with the strips AND needing some extra strength on the top of the doors, I'm going to try to mount the reinforcement under the fiberglass. It looks like a perfect fit. When I tried to fit the reveal molding over the strip, it would not fit completely inside the reveal molding which left a small gap at the door.
Who knows, I may have accidently discovered a "better idea". Oops, sorry, that's Ford isn't it. If I wasn't forty plus years too late, I would let the engineers know about it. Maybe I would win a suggestion contest at GM.