[OSCARS66MALIBU]

Hey everyone. I'm in the middle of an engine swap and figured while the engine was out I'd ask them to fix up my engine compartment.

I figured that would mean a little metal work, a little bondo and some paint. It turned out that they really got down and smoothed everything out.

In the process they REMOVED and filled in the rivet holes of my tag ...

It's my fault for not telling them to leave it alone but I never figured they'd go that far. Oh well the damage is done. I have it on hand and actually cleaned it up pretty nicely.

Here's where I need your help:

Can you guys please provide me with some pictures of your firewalls? Also how many inches from the top and the right side of the compartment walls are your vin tags placed? I'm going to try my best to re rivet it back into the original spot.

thanks everyone.

 

[davis95]

These figures are from my 66. 1/2 inch down from the top of the firewall (just below the cowl seal rubber) and 11 1/2 inches in from the inner lip of the driver's side fender.

 

[Herb]

Since you are doing that much work and change to the firewall, why mount it at all. Just keep it with the title or in the glove box with the registration in case you ever need it to show you have it. Just a thought. That's where I and several other friends of mine who have done extensive resto work to their car keep ours.

 

[OSCARS66MALIBU]

Thank you Davis, I appreciate you getting the specs for me.

Herb, do you have any pics of your set up? I might just have to go that route since so much was already done to the firewall. I'd like to see what you have though if possible.

thanks!

 

[floyd66]

Can you see the original holes from the inside?

 

[Hot66ss]

That's actually the cowl tag not the vin tag, legally it doesn't need to be on the vehicle. if the rest of the firewall is smooth i would just keep it with the car. If you are going to put it back on be sure to use the correct special rivets

 

[OSCARS66MALIBU]

Cowl tag...yup. I'm used to calling the vin even though I know it's wrong. Now I'm on the fence. I'm still hoping to see some pictures of both with and without so I can make a final decision.

Now to add to everything, if I could see an up close so I can print it out and tell the shop to use the same style rivets (if I go that route) that would be helpful also.

thanks!

 

[rothjm]

My firewall is smoothed. I have not decided if I will put the tag back on or not. Probably will.
Here is a pic but it is a bit dark:

 

[DaleM]

That's actually the cowl tag not the vin tag, legally it doesn't need to be on the vehicle. if the rest of the firewall is smooth i would just keep it with the car. If you are going to put it back on be sure to use the correct special rivets

Actually it is against the law in Oklahoma to remove/alter/swap/counterfeit a trim tag on 1953 to 1977 vehicles. See http://www.oscn.net/applications/oscn/deliverdocument.asp?id=450125. Something to keep in mind when buying a car from or selling a car to someone from the state.

Here's where I need your help:

Can you guys please provide me with some pictures of your firewalls? Also how many inches from the top and the right side of the compartment walls are your vin tags placed? I'm going to try my best to re rivet it back into the original spot.

thanks everyone.

I don't know if this photo will help but with the previous measurements, it may give you some perspective on the location. Trimtags.com has the correct rivets (at what I'd consider a $12 rip off price for the pair) and will either sell you a $17 tool to actually rivet them back on or they suggest using epoxy to reattach the tag as well as the new rivets. See http://trimtags.com/rivinstall.html for more on their procedures. You may also want to check the many examples at http://www.chevellestuff.com/1966/tags.htm to compare how different plants treated the rivets - some were left very clean while others were filled with 'slag'.

As Herb noted though, with the smoothed firewall why reattach it? If all the dimples have been filled and smoothed, it may detract from the appearance. I'd definately keep the tag in a safe place - just in case.

 

[davewho1]

Here you go:

 

[OSCARS66MALIBU]

Thank you very much guys. Man those are some nice engine compartments both the original and the fixed up.

I'm going to leave the tag off until I get to drive the car around and look at in under different light.

I'll keep my tag with me since I'm planning on being buried in the car. Besides, it's not like I'm trying to pass it off as a 138, right?

thanks guys!