cocktail shaker restoration

snips · December 27, 2010, 09:17:42 PM

The front cocktail shakers that I have for my 69 are missing the lower mounting legs due to rust. Has anyone seen replacement mounts out there?

cadmanof50s · December 28, 2010, 12:47:36 PM

I have seen replacement units. I have never seen replacement parts...if such exists, they would have to be welded.
These shakers contain hydraulic fluid inside..and I am not sure what welding heat will do to the inside.
I would be concerned about heating up a closed unit ..especially to the temperatures that are needed for welding.
I would definitely open the top and drain them, and keep them open while welding.

(They are technically called Ballasts..I assume you have a convertible?)

Vic

snips · December 28, 2010, 08:21:47 PM

I saw a listing on e-bay the other day for two front units both had rotted legs, but he had metal templates that needed to be bent and welded that went with them. If I could locate a set of good ones I could template the legs and fabricate replacements. Its amazing how only the lower leg rotted off and the rest looks great. Thanks for the reply.

cadmanof50s · December 28, 2010, 08:30:53 PM

I'm redoing my car this winter and front and rear balasts are out of the car. What do you need exactly for a template?
Measurements, picture?
Let me know.

(BTW, mine is a '68..I am assuming they would be the same...

?)

Vic

KevinW · December 29, 2010, 09:47:05 AM

Sorry, 68s are different from 69s due to fender and qtr differences.

JohnZ · December 29, 2010, 01:12:43 PM

Quote from: vicbrincat on December 28, 2010, 12:47:36 PM(They are technically called Ballasts..

Actually, they're called "Dampener Assy".

L78 steve · January 20, 2011, 10:47:43 PM

What are their purpose?

JohnZ · January 21, 2011, 05:36:08 PM

Quote from: L78 steve on January 20, 2011, 10:47:43 PM
What are their purpose?

To dampen the torsional vibrations in the convertible body structure (commonly called "cowl shake") that result from lack of a roof structure. Corvair convertibles had them too.

L78 steve · January 23, 2011, 07:38:02 PM

I take it when the car hits a bump they become functional?

JohnZ · January 24, 2011, 11:22:08 AM

Quote from: L78 steve on January 23, 2011, 07:38:02 PM
I take it when the car hits a bump they become functional?

Yes. They contain a cast iron weight on a shaft with springs on both sides, and are filled with ATF; the spring rate and orifices in the iron weight are "tuned" to dampen specific vibration frequencies, depending on the model and damper location.

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cocktail shaker restoration