cocktail shaker restoration

[snips]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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

[JohnZ]

(They are technically called Ballasts..

Actually, they're called "Dampener Assy".

[L78 steve]

What are their purpose?

[JohnZ]

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]

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

[JohnZ]

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.