Bullet Mirrors vs Sport Mirrors

[RustBucket]

Anybody replaced the bullet mirrors with the sport mirrors? (81elky) I pulled some off a Caprice but after looking inside my door it looks like there's a plaque that's not gonna allow the length of the mirror studs to clear. Right where the sport mirror is supposed to be mounted (closer to front of door) there is a molding that comes out a bit and I know the mirror studs wont reach past that. any suggestions?

 

[Ribbedroof]

Had to do it on a Camino once, use a hole saw to cut access holes for the socket to tighten them.

Way I did it was to lay out location, use the gasket as a guide, drill mount holes with a long bit. Then used the mount stud holes as pilot holes for the hole saw

The later Caminos (86/87) had a notch out of the inner reinforcement to allow access to the mounting studs/nuts...earlier ones have the notch further back for the traditional (sport or chrome) mirrors.

Be forewarned, tough to get a stiffener in there to prevent doorskin cracking, as I recall. OE installations have a backing plate/stiffener on the inside

Personally don't care for those big clunky mirrors, but everybody has their likes/dislikes.

 

[Zspoiler]

If all else fails find a way to make the stud longer

 

[Ribbedroof]

If all else fails find a way to make the stud longer

That'll just suck the doorskin into a crater when the nuts are tightened

 

[RustBucket]

OK thanks guys I think the holesaw is my best bet. Yes those are the exact mirrors I'm looking to put in. Aeros.

 

[79 USA 1]

There should be a recessed area further up the door where the mirror will mount. I changed a pair of 78 Malibu doors to use on my 86 El Camino years ago. Keep in mind the mirror moves up to the top body line and requires the proper base plate gasket. While I no longer have the doors I do have a picture of where they should mount.

When I started to rework the doors to accept these mirrors on my 79 Monte Carlo I made a backing spacer out of sheet steel and two 5/16 nuts that served to keep the door from being sucked in when the mirror was tightened. It took some time but worked really well.

Hope this helps!
Bob S.

 

[RustBucket]

Anybody have a pic of doorskin cracking due to lack of backplate? I'm not sure how I'm gonna fit a holesaw to the inside of the door.

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