Re: Side Mirror Glass Replacement

Posted by BH On 2012/2/20 13:03:41

Kev -

After second look at the pic (Mirror5) in your previous post, it seems that the cast boss for the fastener also extends below the bottom of the mirror's base for 51-54. (They must have machined that flush, as well, for the 55-56 version.)

That projection must be just under 15/32" I.D., to fit through the larger hole made in the molding, and apparently acts as a spacer to prevent collapsing the belt moulding. Perhaps the door panel gets cinched between the washer and the cast boss, as well.

I can't take credit for the idea of welding a washer to the end of an Allen set screw to replicate the original fastener. I'm just passing along the approach that American Arrow took. Since I never saw an NOS mirror, I can't say what Packard did.

Measure carefully for the length of the set screw. As the shop manual instructions note, you want the screw to engage the threads by a couple of turn, so that washer just reaches past the door panel, but not so long that the head of the screw projects above the surface of the mirror base.

Also, be patient with the intricate level of fixturing and welding needed to fabricate this little detail. IIRC, the washer from the American Arrow repro was only tacked on in one place; while a full weld is not needed (or practical), I'd wanna apply at least a second tack.

Though intended for the 51-54 car with the stem in a horizontal orientation, left or right mounting, this mirror looks equally at home on the 55-56 cars, in a more vertical plane. As I said before, it's an elegantly simple design.

Let us know how it works out for you.