1968 What screws to use on tail light panel?

[azbeneman]

So overall, the re-assembly of my car is going smoothly. I was working on the fiberglass tail light panel and the tail lights today and cannot find the 8 screws that fasten the tail lights to the fiberglass panel (on the inside of the panel).

Does anyone have a photo of what these screws look like? It doesn't have to be concours correct, but if I am going to have to buy new ones, they might as well be correct.

Craig

 

[BroadwayBlue]

Are you looking for the screws that attach the panel to the "trunk" or the screws that attach the actual light covers?

Here is a thread on the panel screws
http://californiaspecial.com/forums/showthread.php?t=10502&highlight=taillight+screws

A quick search on the forum for "taillight panel screws" brings up a number of threads.

I don't believe mine are original but can take a picture for you.

 

[azbeneman]

Thanks Rich. I am looking for the screws that attach the light assembly to the fiberglass panel.

When I took my car apart, I removed the screws but the light assembly would not come out of the fiberglass. I took it to the paint shop with the car and they removed the light assembly without damaging the fiberglass panel.

I bag and tag everything, so the only thing I can think of is that I taped the bag to the fiberglass panel and they got lost at the paint shop. If I knew what they looked like, I could order replacements. I plan on stopping by the paint shop next week to see if they have replacements or something that would work.

Craig

 

[azbeneman]

I did a search of the site and the only photo I can find of the back of the fiberglass panel with the lights mounted looks like pan head screws were used. They look like the same style as the valance. I think I have some extras from a 66 I restored a few years back. I will give those a try.

 

[somethingspecial]

The screws shown below are the screw which fasten the bucket to the fiberglass. To the best of my knowledge, it is not reproduced and is an odd size. Possibly 12x14 fillister head screw. I have checked Thunderbird shops as well as NPD and can not find any. I would try to find your screws if I were you. You also use one of these screws to connect the ground wire on the harness to complete a ground to the tail light bucket.

The screws which hold the tail light lens and chrome bezel to the buckets are available from National Parts Depot (NPD). Here is the link https://www.npdlink.com/store/products/mounting_kit_tail_light_lens-178507-1.html
You will need two sets, as each light takes 8 screws.

Hope this helps. Mike

 

[azbeneman]

Thanks Mike. Odd ball screws for sure. After 3 trips to Lowes/Homedepot last night I ended up using #12 3/4" sheet metal screws with a couple of washers.

After getting everything back together today, I found these......

 

[azbeneman]

When I say everything was all put back together, I got to here today. Definitely the point of no return on using the original screws. Fortunately, you can't see those once the panel is installed.

Thanks again for finding a picture of what those screws look like.

 

[somethingspecial]

Glad you found them, Label them and put them in your tool box. Valuble screws for sure.