Nomad final prep and paint

[chevynut]

Maybe I missed something, but I thought you wanted a grommet that fits a 1.25 dia.hole with a 1" ID. I'll look for a 2" version.

Yes, I said this above where I posted the pics of the Nomad baffle and the Wagon baffle:

"The stock hole that the grommet goes into is 2" in diameter on a Nomad. Looks like it's smaller on a wagon for some reason, per Robert's pics. So getting one from a wagon (if that's even possible) probably doesn't help."

Thanks for looking I'm sure lots of other guys need these too, they just don't know it.

[Bitchin'57]

These are interesting. Certainly big enough for what you want to do. Would need to be screwed or riveted on. Not stock appearing, but then again, your 'Mad is far from stock. https://greatlakesskipper.com/lund-o...l-grommet-pair

[chevynut]

I just bought these....I'll slice them for the cables:

[BamaNomad]

Wow bamanomad, that looks like one SOLID Nomad body. No rust in that area? Amazing.

I think that was a rather poor design on Chevy's part. Seems like they could have somehow designed it so the clevis didn't have to go through the grommet every time the gate was lowered. Putting the baffle further aft might have solved the problem assuming the cable was long enough. They could have put the retractor further forward and used a longer cable too.

Yes, it is, but there was some metal replaced before I purchased the car (the floor in particular, and perhaps some more), but the work appears to have been in an outstanding fashion. This car is an LA car that was transplanted to Texas in the late 70's or early 80's, and then to Nashville, TN in the late 2000's..

I agree... having the clevis pass thru that slitted grommet doesn't appear to be a very apt design, but remembering that the Nomad (in '55) was a 'late addition' to the model lineup and didn't appear until after Jan 1955.. it could be that the design was 'borrowed from the '55 wagon, with the only change being to go to the larger 2" diameter hole with the clevis passing thru it? I wonder if on the reg wagon, does the clevis have to pass thru the grommet??

CN: Those look to be a perfect material for modification to achieve the purpose IF they are for a 2" dia hole??

[chevynut]

CN: Those look to be a perfect material for modification to achieve the purpose IF they are for a 2" dia hole??

50mm.....1.97" ID is 38mm or 1.50". The only minor issue I see is the panel thickness is .118". I will probably make a washer to take up the gap.

I'll let you know if they work.

[chevynut]

Talked to my painter yesterday and he says he's really busy but will find time to slip my car in when it's ready. Now I have to keep moving so it's not another 2 years later.

[Bitchin'57]

Yes, I said this above where I posted the pics of the Nomad baffle and the Wagon baffle:

"The stock hole that the grommet goes into is 2" in diameter on a Nomad. Looks like it's smaller on a wagon for some reason, per Robert's pics. So getting one from a wagon (if that's even possible) probably doesn't help."

Thanks for looking I'm sure lots of other guys need these too, they just don't know it.

You cut a 1.25" hole in those new plates, and that's the size I was looking for. If you wanted a 2" hole, then you should have cut a 2" hole. No big deal, you found a solution, and that's what matters.

[chevynut]

You cut a 1.25" hole in those new plates, and that's the size I was looking for. If you wanted a 2" hole, then you should have cut a 2" hole.

I cut a 1.25" hole using the holesaw I had, with the intention of increasing them to whatever size I settled on. I planned to use a die grinder to take it out to the correct size which is what I originally said in my first post on these here:

"The holes on the stock part are 2" but I really don't know if they need to be that large. I may put a grommet and a slit rubber seal on them to help seal the area better and prevent rattles from the cables. I cut some 1 1/4" holes in the parts until I figure out the final size."

Anyhow, thanks for looking for a solution for the grommet, and getting me to look some more.

[BamaNomad]

Having my curiousity aroused, I went out and went thru the boxes I got with the car looking for the cover plates that were removed from the car by the person who did the metalwork restoration and paint, and in the box with the driver side parts (reel, cable, cover plates, etc) was another of the grommets. I suppose the fella totally disassembled the car for paint, but only installed back the reel/cable/parts for the passenger side (wtih the grommet). The grommet I found was nasty and was missing a 'quarter section' of the slitted center, but after cleaning I found PN's on it.. the following: D-3 55XP7548 and 4687027. I did a quick search in ebay and on google but didn't find anything for those numbers.

I suppose that's my bit of 'learning' for the day; that the Nomad tailgate cables went thru grommets in the body that are no longer available, OR reproduced... If I ever knew that these were installed at the factory, then it was so long ago (1974 or so), that I'd forgotten.. Maybe we should contact Steele Rubber parts and see if they want to repro them for resale...

[chevynut]

Yeah Bamanomad, I'm really surprised nobody has repopped these grommets. I didn't even know they existed, and I'll bet a lot of other guys don't either. Steele Rubber may be a good place to have them repopped. I still wonder if wagons had them, but since the hole is so small I doubt it. Strange stuff.