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Now I know why there was bondo

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drooartz

drooartz

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Got some measurements from Jack, and decided to tackle the mirror holes this evening. I could pretty much see where the bondo was, and with the verification of Jack's numbers and my mirror, I went to work with a small scratch awl.

Started on the left hole, picked the spot and pushed. It was soft! A little prodding around with the awl, and that hole cleaned up just fine. Rane a screw through it, and it seems to be functioning.

So I went at the right hole, thinking this was going to be simple. Well, there was a big divot covered in bondo, but it wasn't that deep. A little more investigation and I found the real cause. Some previous owner broke off a screw in the hole. Looks like they may have tried to drill it out, and missed the hole a bit. Can't really tell. So I tried to drill the old screw out a bit, figuring that I'll just need to buy a tap/die set and put some thread in there.

Of course, I broke off my drill bit in the hole. Some words were spoken. /bcforum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/mad.gif

So now I'm not quite sure how to proceed. I'm assuming I need to get a better drill bit and work a hole in the proper location, then cut some threads in. The old screw and nut are probably welded together nicely now.
 
I was wondering why somebody would eliminate the rear view mirror...still an odd reason.
 
Soak it with blaster for a few, does it stick out from the bottom?
 
Are we talking about a pair of holes just under the windscreen pillars? ncbugeye has (actually I should say it had) a mirror mounted there. Are those two holes standard? The mirror was attached with self-tapping screws, which I would assume were NOT original equipment, but I'm prepared to be wrong.

Jack, did Miss Agatha have a pair of holes there? If so you expertly filled them in so you could fit the way cool Harley mirror? Right? Actually I now have one of those on order at the local Harley dealer, he says he'll have it this week.

Other Bugeye owners, do you have a pair of holes on the left side under the windcreen pillars?
 
Yep Miss Agatha has a center mirror as well. And yes it was standard and did not have capture nuts. It is bolted on. It is in the center of the windshield. Can be seen in one of my pics I think.

There are two holes under the windscreen pillers for holding on the pillers. The front bolt has a capture nut and the rearward one has none and is accesable when the door is open. That's the one I used for the Harley mirrors.

Keep in mind you are going to have to bend the stems of those Harley mirrors a bit so they will miss the door/window and you will still be able to adjust the angle correctly. Till I get seats in I have tried not to think about how I am going to do that as I can not really tell which way or how much they need to move.

Ideas welcome, hehe.
 
Someone drilled 2 new holes for a mirror, but they're too close to the windscreen. With the limited access, there's really no way to try to remove the broken screw, and it's pretty well welded in there. I'm now thinking I'll pull the dash and get in there with a hack saw and cut off the captive nut. You can get in from the side well enough to get a regular nut in there.

Chris -- these are the 2 captive nuts used for the center mount rear-view mirror.
 
Drew
I would try to drill a BIG hole thru the underplate to allow access to the captive nut (1/2" or so). It is hidden by the dash and will allow you drill up from the bottom. None or this will be fun but it may be the best way.
Bill
 
I'm sorry, I misinterpreted. Yes, I have the centre-mounted mirror as well.

I don't want to hijack your post, but I was asking about these two holes... Ugly and probably almost as old as the car, but almost certainly not factory original.
 

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Those look like mounting holes for an outside mirror!! No doubt PO installed! I'm sure a lot of BEs have similar holes!!
/bcforum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/grin.gif
 
I've got single bolt holes in the doors for useless side mirrors. They'll get filled in when I get around to painting the car some day.

Those holes are definitely not factory original. Side mirrors were a dealer or owner option, and seem to have been mounted pretty much anywhere.
 
Get some nice new chrome bolts for the windsheld post and some nice big selftaping stainless or what ever for the others. That should hold it for awile.
 
Fill those holes full of brass or lead and mount your mirrors out on the fender {Tongue in cheek} like a real brittish sports car. heheheheheeh
Kerry
 
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