exterior mirror's mounting screws welded shut

[awitate]

So I wanted to install the original looking mirrors on my 63. Guess what? I found where the screws are suppose to go (under 1/4 inch of bondo) but the kicker is the screws are permanently welded onto the plate. The method they used was basically to hammer the screws deeper into the door, then weld, then bondo. Since it was a big mess(can't see the screw heads) I drilled in to see if i was in the right spot which i was but what do I do now? can I try to drill the screws out? the heads won't come off will they? That first hole is not centered and I probably won't be able to center the remaining 5 so is re-tapping out of the question?

[Alan's Classic]

You might get some help in the paint and body. Moved ya.

[awitate]

Thanks!
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[Alan's Classic]

Do you have a pic?

[awitate]

so I'm guessing that brassy metal is not the original sheet metal

[nachodog2]

You can always set the mirror a 1/2 inch forward or back of the original locatio, or if you're wanting them in the stock location, you would have to drill throigh and re-tap the holes. Hopefully while drilling and stepping up in bit size the weld will break loose and spin the bolt out. Or hope they welded good and retap. If you go for option one you might want to add a lock washer and nut from the inside. Good luck.
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[awitate]

Think I'm just going to retapp even if it isn't dead center. I guess bolts and washers too.

[MARTYZ]

I use a sheet metal hole cutter to cut the weld around the screw, mig a nut on the screw and hopefully it will turn out of the inner plate

[awitate]

Already tapped it. Those screws were rusted together on that plate. I'm scared to see what horrors lie beneath the passenger side.
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