Does anyone have any advice on the removal of the chrome stars on a 1957 Pathfinder? Not sure how exactly they are attached - I am starting to strip the trim and don't want to push when I should be pulling etc . I know you can buy reproductions but would like to preserve the originals as they are in good shape.
Thanks - Looks like there is some sort of metal bushing around the pins (2) on the Star. I need to remove 2 Stars from the rear door so should be able to get a better look at them at that point as well.
From what i remember of my own 57, the pins are pushed into those little metal insert grabbers. There are no nuts, the pins just push and lock. The only way to remove the stars, is to very slowly pry them off with out damaging the push pins or inserts. Use a small thin metal scraper and take your time. Try to save all of those small metal grabber inserts. Good luck.
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1957 Pontiac Pathfinder Deluxe sedan restored 261 six
1974 Chevrolet Caprice Estate wagon low mileage original 400 V-8
The metal grabber inserts are called barrel clips.
If you're lucky, the barrel clips will remain in the panel when the emblem is removed. However the barrel clip may come out with the emblem. That's ok, as you can likely then use penetrating oil on the barrel clip to remove it from the emblem, and push them back in the hole.
Worst case scenario is the pin breaks off the emblem and remains in the barrel clip in the panel.
Having just removed the stars from my '57 Star Chief, I can confirm that they just pry off, and in my case all came out attached to the star. I had noticed for some time prior to their removal for paint and panel, that some stars came off just by catching them on the pocket of my shorts, which was obviously not a good situation.
In my case, I replaced the stars with repro ones as the originals were badly corroded. To ensure the stars stayed where they should and weren't removed by prying fingers at shows, I threaded the pins, and secured with nuts from the inside.
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cheers Russell
My 1957 Pontiac StarChief powered by a 5.3 LS with a 4L60E transmission, on 18" US Mags Big Slots.
Webmaster for the American Classic Car Club Auckland
The metal grabber inserts are called barrel clips.
If you're lucky, the barrel clips will remain in the panel when the emblem is removed. However the barrel clip may come out with the emblem. That's ok, as you can likely then use penetrating oil on the barrel clip to remove it from the emblem, and push them back in the hole.
Worst case scenario is the pin breaks off the emblem and remains in the barrel clip in the panel.
Clint, i appreciate knowing the proper terminology for those special clips.
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1957 Pontiac Pathfinder Deluxe sedan restored 261 six
1974 Chevrolet Caprice Estate wagon low mileage original 400 V-8
The metal grabber inserts are called barrel clips.
If you're lucky, the barrel clips will remain in the panel when the emblem is removed. However the barrel clip may come out with the emblem. That's ok, as you can likely then use penetrating oil on the barrel clip to remove it from the emblem, and push them back in the hole.
Worst case scenario is the pin breaks off the emblem and remains in the barrel clip in the panel.
Clint, i appreciate knowing the proper terminology for those special clips.
At least I'm pretty sure that's what they're called. They're used to hold the "Calgary Motor Products" emblem on to my 2+2 hdtp. Someone at the dealership would have had a template to drill holes into the trunk lid, push in the barrel clips, then mount the dealer emblem into them.
Update - managed to get the stars off by working from behind them - I either tapped on the pins until they popped off (Barrel clips generally stayed in place around the pins) or put a center punch on the back of the pin and popped them off that way. Most came off after a few firm taps. Have a couple pictures that I am attaching. Thanks all for your input. Will post updates as things progress.
. I know you can buy reproductions but would like to preserve the originals as they are in good shape.
