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53 Cavalier wrote:
The plot thickens! Don commented that 51-54 did not have a bracket and the mirror bolted on through both the belt molding and the door, so the bolt head would be inside the door. (Longer bolt for 51-54 than 55-56)

Now why the change to how the mirror was mounted? It would mean you could change the side mirror on 55-56 without taking the door apart. Maybe the mirror is more secure with the bracket, although that doesn't seem likely.

Hmmmm....

Pgh Ultramatic wrote:
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BDeB wrote:
Quote:

53 Cavalier wrote:
The plot thickens! Don commented that 51-54 did not have a bracket and the mirror bolted on through both the belt molding and the door, so the bolt head would be inside the door. (Longer bolt for 51-54 than 55-56)

Now why the change to how the mirror was mounted? It would mean you could change the side mirror on 55-56 without taking the door apart. Maybe the mirror is more secure with the bracket, although that doesn't seem likely.

Hmmmm....

There is a written instruction in the next column of the service manual that describes how to mount the mirror by drilling a 15/32" hole through the moulding and outer door panel and "jiggling" with the mounting screw and washer loosely installed and then tightening the screw.
Perhaps the washer used has an oblong shape rather than round to allow it to go through the hole in the outer door panel as shown in Section A-A of the illustration.

BDeB wrote:
Yes, 4-9/16" back from the lower end at the front of the belt moulding to the centre of the mounting hole, then a further 3-1/4" back to the centre of the hole for the stud. Drill 7/32" holes first then back to the front one for the 15/32" hole.

From an original service manual.

53 Cavalier wrote:
Quote:

BDeB wrote:
Yes, 4-9/16" back from the lower end at the front of the belt moulding to the centre of the mounting hole, then a further 3-1/4" back to the centre of the hole for the stud. Drill 7/32" holes first then back to the front one for the 15/32" hole.

From an original service manual.

I'd sure like to see a picture of the washer. I can imagine it being oval like you said, but also having the same profile as the molding, and maybe a little shoulder to keep it centered. I think I better stop by Pete's and look for a car that has holes in the belt molding from where a side mirror was removed and see if I can find a screw and washer.

BDeB wrote:
Quote:

53 Cavalier wrote:
Quote:

BDeB wrote:
Yes, 4-9/16" back from the lower end at the front of the belt moulding to the centre of the mounting hole, then a further 3-1/4" back to the centre of the hole for the stud. Drill 7/32" holes first then back to the front one for the 15/32" hole.

From an original service manual.

I'd sure like to see a picture of the washer. I can imagine it being oval like you said, but also having the same profile as the molding, and maybe a little shoulder to keep it centered. I think I better stop by Pete's and look for a car that has holes in the belt molding from where a side mirror was removed and see if I can find a screw and washer.

The service manual illustration shows the washer under the head of the bolt on the inside of the door panel, so it would have to be flat.

Edit: Here is a photo of the illustration in the service manual

HH56 wrote:
Instead of having the special head nut with an Allen socket on the shaft end, wonder if you could kind of duplicate the original style by using an ordinary set screw long enough to reach inside the door with enough extra to glue or weld a nut on the end opposite the socket. Might need to grind and round the nut to mimic the original head diameter but that should be fairly easy.

Now why the change to how the mirror was mounted? It would mean you could change the side mirror on 55-56 without taking the door apart. Maybe the mirror is more secure with the bracket, although that doesn't seem likely.