Convex replacement mirror upgrade for my 66' Tri Shield RH Side mirror.

I am not sure how many of you have this style mirror on your Buick but I thought I would share an upgrade I did for my passenger side mirror. I recently added this mirror to the passenger side. I can't see much out of this little mirror, but it is better than no mirror. I thought it would be nice to have a convex on that side to have a little wider view. After doing some searching around for a convex mirror that was 4 1/4" round I came across this Burco PN. 3027. The application is for a late 70s dodge Aspen or a Plymouth Omni. https://www.rockauto.com/en/moreinfo.php?pk=12658837... It is a pretty easy replacement. Just remove the snap ring retainer and swap in the new mirror. If you want the flat mirror to replace the driver side it is a Burco PN. 2101. I have not had the car out to see the improvement but it surely has some improved vision around that side of the car. I think they used these mirrors from 64' to 67' but maybe they are used other years. I just thought I would share and I hope the info helps others out.

 

Are there any tricks you can offer, as far as getting the snap ring back in place without breaking the mirror? My mirror is off at the chrome plater right now and is SUPPOSED to be done this week. I'm a little worried about what happens next when I do get the mirror back. The snap ring is not flat, it has a bit of a 'wave' to it.

Thanks,

 

The snap ring is meant to have a wave in it. It is super easy to put it back in. Just hook one end in and work your way around to the other pushing it into the groove it locks in. It is a Piece of cake.
Greg

 

Dear Greg, Mike, and V-8 Buick caregivers who think outside of the box,

Thanks Greg for this very clever mod! . I have a 1965 Special wagon so only 1 side view mirror and no Tri-Shield. When she was restored in 2011, I bought two of the OPGI reproductions like the one you have used. However, the one on the passenger side has a very limited field of view. Your mirror swap is just what I need to make that mirror more usable.

Thanks so much for sharing!

Cheers, Edouard

 

I put the passenger side mirror on my 65 also and vision isn’t great. Going to have to try this. Thank you

 

Dear V-8 Buick caregivers who want a clear vision of what's coming up behind them,

I did some quick price checking and I couldn't find the Burco mirror locally. Only Autozone seemed to also have it online, but they were more expensive. So after doing the "good consumer thing," I ended up just ordering it from Rockauto using the link that's in the first posting on this thread. That is probably the path of least resistance.

Cheers, Edouard

 

I am sure there are other options out there other than the Burco one but for me the Rockauto one was the easiest to deal with as I am in Canada and had to get it shipped to me. It was at my house in 2 days. The local auto parts clowns are useless and couldn't find any replacement but they couldn't find their own ass. I rarely buy anything from the local auto parts places any more. It is too expensive and they are too painful to deal with. One reason why I mentioned the applications for this mirror was to allow others to look for other options based on the application. This Burco 3027 fits these cars.

 

So I received my mirror back from the chrome plater, and yesterday I tried to install the Burco 3027 convex mirror using the snap ring. I had to work the snap ring a bit into the groove around the periphery of the inside of mirror but in the end, the ends of the snap ring still overlapped by at least 3/32in. However, I looked at the surface of the glass and noticed scratches. I thought what the h*ll, I hadn't touched the glass roughly enough to scratch it like that. I removed the snap ring and took the glass out and noticed that the reflective coating was applied to what would be the outside surface of the glass. That is, if you install the mirror so that the "objects in mirror are closer than they appear" script is readable, then the reflective coating of the mirror's glass is to the outside. My point to all this is to be careful installing the mirror glass else you'll scratch the reflective coating. Don't ask me how I know.....
I still don't understand why the ends of the snap ring overlap like they do once the snap ring was installed into its groove. I understand that the thickness of the new chrome plating reduced the inside diameter of the groove, but by that much? I made sure that the ring was seated into the groove and there's still this much overlap.

I reached out to Burco to find out about what side of the glass the reflective coating should have been applied to, and this was their answer:
"Thank you for your inquiry.
All auto mirrors are first surface chrome. We do not put chrome on the backside as this would not be transmittable and would not be accepted by FMVSS. (Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards)
The verbiage should be legible. The chrome is on the front surface of the glass mirror. The glass is 1/8th inch thick or less. I don’t think you will have issues with the elements outdoors unless you are tilting your mirror upwards, and it is hailing.
You may take a silicon and bead it around the mirror before you adhere it so the rain doesn’t get in between the two mirrors.
Hope this helps!
Have a great weekend!"

Thanks,

 

I ended up doing two mirrors. One on my 66' and one on my Wife's 67' the snap ring fit both mirrors no problem. I had no issues at all fitting the mirrors. I am very pleased with them. I have been driving my 66' around and am very pleased with the extra viewing area from that mirror on the right. It feels much safer having a view over on that side. My car only had the left mirror on it all these years so I only just added a second mirror recently and shortly after upgraded to the convex mirror. If you are having trouble with the snap ring you can always just silicone the mirror into place.
Greg

 

I ordered one off ebay as soon as I read the post. Thank you.
I had bought a 3" stick on convex mirror and stuck it on my White 67 Special. It was better than nothing but didn't look good at all.
As soon as the Burco arrived I installed it and jumped in the car to check it out. I have driven it several times since, it is nice to have a view on the right side,,,,,,,,,,,But I can not see the right side of my car at all, well if I lean to the right I can see it, but that isn't safe . I really need to see my car in the mirror for a point of reference.
It would be perfect, for me, if it was a bit more convex so I could see the side of the car.
If someone finds one let me (us) know.

 

I am surprised you can not see the side of your car with this mirror. I did this install on my 66' and my wife's 67' and can see the side of the quarter panel in the mirror of both cars no problem. I have been driving my 66' for a couple months like this now and I really find the new mirror glass helpful. I am very happy to have done this. Maybe your mirror needs to be adjusted more or moved slightly.
Greg