What type of screws for rocker gills??

[FJ5_440]

I would like to attach my rocker gills with the right fastener, but have no idea what the original fastener was.  I have seen them held on with everything from drywall screws to silicone sealer, but would like to know the size and type of fastener originally used.

[Chryco Psycho]

it should be a stainless countersunk head screw 3/4 " long probably a #8

[Winston]

I see this is a very old thread, but I wanted to get a clarification - I am under the assumption that these '70 rocker gills are held on only by screwing these gills straight to the car, meaning I have to drill holes in the rocker and use self-tapping stainless screws and using no fasteners or clips.  Is this correct?  Thanks for any replies!

I have a '67 Firebird I am also toying with, and these actually have thin metal strips with a lip on the top that screw into the rocker; then the top of the rocker molding hangs on that top lip.  Then you have to drill more holes to mount the bottom of the molding.

I just want to make sure I'm not missing anything.  I'm nervous about drilling holes into the car already, and I want to make sure I am doing it correctly.  Thanks. 

['Cuda Hunter]

Yep, they are held on with 3 screws I believe.  Several screws less than what the pontiacs take.
I will try to get a pic of a molding.  Do you have the gilled molding already.  That should have a few holes in it.   

[CudaEd]

Screws should be Phillips oval head stainless steel sheet metal screws. The rockers need to be drilled and the screws go right into the metal.

http://www.boltdepot.com/sheet-metal-screws.aspx

Good luck!

[Winston]

Hey Josh, hope all has been well with you!  Yeah, I have remanuafactured rocker gills that I have had for a long time.  They are made of fiberglass I think, but they look pretty original from the outside.  The only thing is - I think there are screw holes every 8" or 10".  Not sure exactly, but it is definitely more than 3 screws per piece.  I may have to take a look at the original sets to see how many they have.  Thanks for the information!

[Winston]

Thanks for the comments and link, Ed!

[FJ5_440]

I believe that there are nine per side.  I don't have my car handy to count them though.

['Cuda Hunter]

I realized that I am thinking of my gran coupe rockers.  They are aluminum and run horizontal. 
I believe that they have 4 holes for screws.  my bad. 
 

[CudaEd]

I counted nine screwoles on each gill. Here's a pic.

[Winston]

Hey Ed,

Thanks very much for posting this picture.  It helps a lot!  I saw in another thread to use a similar silver as the rally wheel body, so I am hoping mine turn out like yours.  Very nice!

Thanks again!

[CudaEd]

Another hint. Mine are the original gills which were in very good condition, except for a few places where the paint had faded. After testing on a hidden spot, I finally used a product called ground coat, by Dupli-Color, which is intended as a base for a system to simulate metallic paint. It turned out to be pretty much exactly the original color, so that's what I used. Use an adhesion promoter.