Hello and a Couple Questions

[Tire Guy]

This my first post and I have a couple questions.

On my 57 truck what is the thread size of the outside mirror mount. I need to drill them out for the mirrors to fit properly.

Also, I need to remove the inside door panel to access the door latch. Two screws will not budge. All the others came out fine. Any suggestions short of drilling them out?

Thanks for your advice. I will contribute any tire help I can to this board. I have been in the tire business for 30 years. Just don't ask to buy.

[Katrina/10]

If you heat the screw heads up with a torch, they will usually come right out. Of course, you will have to do some painting.

[Tire Guy]

Originally Posted by Katrina/10

If you heat the screw heads up with a torch, they will usually come right out. Of course, you will have to do some painting.

That's kinda the problem. Doors are nicely painted including the screw heads. I have already buggered up enough I will have to replace them all with new unpainted screws to make it look right or find some close touchup paint or finger nail polish.

[Katrina/10]

In that case, try a hand held impact driver. It has a strong philips bit in one end, and you hit the other end with a hammer. It bites into the screw head and twists it out. Then, replace all the screws with new ones.

[Tire Guy]

Originally Posted by Katrina/10

In that case, try a hand held impact driver. It has a strong philips bit in one end, and you hit the other end with a hammer. It bites into the screw head and twists it out. Then, replace all the screws with new ones.

Worth a shot. On the plus side I will get to buy a new tool.

[2tractors]

Hey tire guy, I noticed your in Ma con ga or that's what my golfing buddy calls it. I'm in hawkinsville or hooterville as some call it. Mine is a 57 big window 3100 and am currently prepping for C4 install with flat out cross member and rear brackets. Would love to hear more about your truck.The wife an I are going to HF in macon this afternoon for a soda blaster to clean the c4 components. Nice truck you got there!

[OrrieG]

Originally Posted by Katrina/10

In that case, try a hand held impact driver. It has a strong philips bit in one end, and you hit the other end with a hammer. It bites into the screw head and twists it out. Then, replace all the screws with new ones.

Used for old motorcycle side cases, I had the same issue with my Ducati Phillip Screws.

[Tire Guy]

Originally Posted by 2tractors

Hey tire guy, I noticed your in Ma con ga or that's what my golfing buddy calls it. I'm in hawkinsville or hooterville as some call it. Mine is a 57 big window 3100 and am currently prepping for C4 install with flat out cross member and rear brackets. Would love to hear more about your truck.The wife an I are going to HF in macon this afternoon for a soda blaster to clean the c4 components. Nice truck you got there!

Hey 2tractors, my truck is new to me. Has small block 350 and a 69 Nova front end and a tranny that leaks like red rain. Soon as I get the brake lights working its off to the shop for a trans service and a few things I won't do in the garage.

[mr48chev]

An impact screw driver is one of the handiest things you can have in your tool box. I got mine off the Mac truck 40 years ago and It usually gets used for things like door panel scews that get cranky.

[Russell Ashley]

Originally Posted by mr48chev

An impact screw driver is one of the handiest things you can have in your tool box. I got mine off the Mac truck 40 years ago and It usually gets used for things like door panel scews that get cranky.

Agreed: I have a Craftsman set that is also about that age and it has come in handy many times.

Tire Guy: You probably know to do this, but take a scribe and scrape out all of the paint in the screw heads so the bit can grab better. Good luck.

[Tire Guy]

UPDATE:

Went to Sears and bought the impact for 40% off! Cost me $14 and it worked perfectly. I replaced the control arm for the inside door lever and lubed everything inside the door. Now I just need to replace the 2 screws that are messed up and find the right shade of nail polish.

Thanks for the ideas.

[2tractors]

The right tool and a BFH works every time.

[Katrina/10]

Great! Glad it worked for you. And got a good deal on the tool, too.

[OrrieG]

Originally Posted by Tire Guy

UPDATE:

find the right shade of nail polish.

Thanks for the ideas.

Glad it worked. Nail polish?? Sounds like an old dorm student trick, like using toothpaste to hide nail holes. SEM and duplicolor make touch up paint to match just about every factory color.

[Tire Guy]

Originally Posted by OrrieG

Glad it worked. Nail polish?? Sounds like an old dorm student trick, like using toothpaste to hide nail holes. SEM and duplicolor make touch up paint to match just about every factory color.

I don't know the color for this truck. I'll try to find the right touch up but it is just two screw heads on the inside door panel. If I can't find something close in color I may make them the two in the door jam where they won't be seen much.