Radiator cover bolts

[Brian]

Need the 3 special bolts that hold the radiator cover to the core support.  Working on my 66 and the holes were stripped out years ago, so put some larger hood hinge bolts in to hold it.  Ready to fix it correctly with nutserts in the core support, but the correct bolts are long gone. 

[gs spoken here]

Brian, what is the correct bolt, 1/2 inch head with regular threads or the screw type threads?

[schlepcar]

For some reason everybody torques them down to 63 ft lbs. I think I can find some if you PM me an address  will send them. I just tacked some weld around the holes and drilled them with a 9/32 drill so the factory pointed bolt would snug down again.

[Brian]

The correct bolts are about 3/4" long and standard 5/16-18 thread.  Head of the bolt is 1/2" and has a large, free-spinning, captured flat washer under the head.  The end of the bolts should be squared off, not pointed like some other similar bolts used elsewhere on the body.  I think the first couple threads on them taper down to the end to facilitate them being self-threading into the extruded holes in the top rail of the core support. 
   Schlepcar, are the bolts you have like the ones I described? 

[schlepcar]

Brian,
I have seen two styles. My parts car had the shoulder style bolts that were coarse thread and pointed. I also have seen the 5/16 -18 with the built in washer. I believe the ones you are describing are correct for GS but not necessarily skylarks supports. I can send you a set,but they are probably not real nice because they were from a Michigan rust bucket. Dan

[Brian]

My 66 originally had the 5/16 thread style with the captive washer on them, so that is what I am looking for.  I think they are the ones I dug out of my bolt bin last year and put in my 65 when I fixed it properly, so now I need them to fix the 66 now that I am working on it. 
  If the ones you have are badly pitted, then they won't work for what I am doing, but if they will clean up in a beadblaster, I can use them.

[Brian]

Oh, and just in case anyone thought these are unique to 66--they are the same on 65 (with crossflow radiator), 66 and 67

[cwmcobra]

Brian,

Have you checked the AMK catalog?  I've attached the section below that contains hex screws in the size you need.  Some have captured washers and are available in different finishes.  For example, S2 is Phosphate & Oil finish that I suspect you need.  B-11909 (top of page 108) is 5/16-18 x 3/4" with a 0.81 diameter captured conical washer in S2 finish.  Not sure what diameter washer you need, but there are others available.  Now, if you need the OEM markings, you'll have to compare with the pictures.

Good luck!

Chuck

[Brian]

Thanks for the info Chuck!  The correct one is at the top of page 102 in the link you posted.  Part number B-10792.   Looks like have to buy a box of 50 though?

[WkillGS]

You can try East Coast Bolts. They are a reseller of AMK products. I saw them at Carlisle years ago. They are located in Virginia. (edit)
http://www.eastcoastbolts.com/Ford-Gm-Chrysler-body-bolts.aspx
AMK did have a minimum order requirement. Unsure if they still do.

My '66 Assembly manual shows it's pn 1371927. Also used on the finger guard, latch and latch support, inner fender, etc. Those were the screw threads.
I have seen various bolts used for the rad cover. Thought they are all bolt threads, not screw threads. I'll check my cars.
B-11709 on the top of page 103 looks like what I'm remembering.

[Brian]

The bolt used may have varied depending on which plant the car was built at.  Walt, the 11709 you mentioned has the conical washer under it, so don't think that is correct, but it is close.  I found some in my stash last night that were close enough for me to use.  They are the ones that hold the trunk lid to the hinges.  They had little nibs on the bottom perimeter of the washer to make it grab, so I filed them off so the washer is smooth and flat on the bottom and they worked perfectly.  Washer is not quite as big in diameter as the original, but they will work for now.  It is not like they are hard to get to or change out later! 

[schlepcar]

I blasted a set,but they are rusty on the washer edges. Weird that we can't even find a clean set...I have a lot of the coarse thread,but not the right ones. The trunk bolts are very close to exact though.

[Brian]

Thanks for checking out the bolts you have!  The modified trunk lid bolts I used will work fine for now until I either buy some of the repro bolts mentioned above or find some used ones elsewhere.  Trying to get the car all ready for the BCA show in PA at the end of the month.   Latest challenge is finding choke tube insulation long enough to work on a 300 engine.  The corvette guys sell it, but only 18" long, which is too short for a 300.

[cwmcobra]

Latest challenge is finding choke tube insulation long enough to work on a 300 engine.  The corvette guys sell it, but only 18" long, which is too short for a 300.

That's not long enough for a 401 either....is it?

Chuck

[Brian]

Heads are really narrow on a 401/425 and the exhaust manifold is higher relative to the top of the valve cover, so the 18" is just perfect for the GS engine.