Chassie Bolt/hardware guide

[Rich P.]

Seen the question posed many times if anyone had a bolt guide. Here are some pictures of different chassis bolt kits for 63-74 chassis.
First one are pictures of mid 66 through 68 chassis.

As many of you may know each bolt washer lock washer and flat washer have a special purpose on the chassies. Not just regular hardware store pieces. After posting pictures I'll start to explain some of the unique differences between the different years. 63 has its own set, 64 has its own set, 65 through mid 66 has a different set, mid 66 through 68 has a different set. And 69 through 74 has a different set.

[Rich P.]

Re: Chassie Bolt/hardware guide

Here is a description of some of the bolts and their application.
1. RBW front sway bar bushing retainer 2 frame bolts + nuts.
2. Lower A-Arm 2 frame front WB mounting bolts + N stamped nut plates + lock washers..
3. Lower A-Arm 2 frame rear WB mounting bolts, lock nuts and serrated washers.
4. Lower A-ARM [] Bushing retainer bolts & lock washers.
5. Lower A-Arm F bumper mounting bolts + nuts.
6. Upper A-Arm RSC Bushing retainer bolts + lock washers.
7. Upper A-Arm 2 frame mounting studs. (These are unique to mid 66-68 Corvettes) and lock nuts.
8. RBW front shock Mounting bolts, over sized retainers + extra tall nuts.
9. RBW Steering box 2 frame carriage bolts, lock washers + nuts.
10. RSC Steering box cover bolts + lock washers.
11. RSC/RBW Idler arm mounting bolts + lock washers.
12. A Tie Rod end clamp bolts + lock nuts.
13. 5/8" Hex nuts.
14. Spindle 2 knuckle M bolts + lock nuts.
15. Upper spindle mounting bolts M.
16. P transmission mount to bracket bolts + RBW
17. Transmission mount bracket 2 frame bolts U, WB, TR, lock nuts + washer.
18. WB pinion snubber bracket front bolt, washers, lock washer + copper plated nut.
19. M + P pinion snubber bracket 2 rear bolts, washer, lock washer hex nut + castle nut.
20. WB center leaf spring mounting bolts +lock washers.
21. C outer leaf spring mounting bolts, flat washers + castle nuts.
22. WB rear crossmember to rear end housing mounting bolts + flat washers.
23. WB rear crossmember 2 frame mounting bolts + lock washers.
24. WB strut rod bracket 2 rear mounting bolts, lock washers + flat washers.
25. WB gas tank brace 2 frame mounting bolts, lock washers, flat washers + nuts.
26. O rear end cover to rear housing bolts + lock washers.
27. M camber adjusting bolts, eccentric washers, bushing caps, lock washers + nuts.
28. L5 rear upper shock Mounting bolts, lock washers + nuts.
29. Rear lower shock Mounting nuts \W/ + lock washers.

[Alan S.]

Re: Chassie Bolt/hardware guide

Hi Rich,
I think restorers will find what you're doing very helpful!
Especially those who find themselves working on cars which have had the original hardware replaced with screen door hardware as you mention.
Might you also include information on typical finishes for the fasteners?
Carry On! Please!
Regards,
Alan

[Gary B.]

Re: Chassie Bolt/hardware guide

Rich,

What about adding the bumper bolts, nuts, flat and lock washers to your list? I general lump those in with chassis items.

Gary

[Edward J.]

Re: Chassie Bolt/hardware guide

Rich, reading about the copper plated snubber nut I cannot say I have seen one of those before, interesting. Do you know the how long this nut was used and when it started?

[Rich P.]

Re: Chassie Bolt/hardware guide

Allen, sure I'll includes original finishes on these. Gary I always did bumper bolts and hardware separate I'll do another thread with those. Ed, yes the copper plated nut is very interesting I've seen it on many many original cars cann't say everyone but a lot of them

[Joe L.]

Re: Chassie Bolt/hardware guide

Rich, reading about the copper plated snubber nut I cannot say I have seen one of those before, interesting. Do you know the how long this nut was used and when it started?

Edward------


There were two nuts used for the "snubber" fastener system over the 1963-82 period. The first was GM #3765425. It was used from 1963 through 1966. I know nothing about this nut. It was never available in SERVICE.

The second nut used was GM #9424985 which was used from 1967 through 1982. This nut is a 7/16-14 thread size, 3/8" thickness, 5/8" across-the-flats, GM 301M material grade and COPPER PLATED. Was this nut used for every 1967-82 Corvette built? I don't know. But, it was definitely the nut that GM said was SUPPOSED to have been used. Now GM-discontinued without supercsession.

DSCN3201.jpgDSCN3202.jpgDSCN3203.jpg

[Mark E.]

Re: Chassie Bolt/hardware guide

Rich,

Thanks for taking on this project. This could be an extremely valuable thread for us.

And to keep you sane, I agree with limiting and carefully defining the scope. For example, this thread might cover suspension and steering hardware, while others might sponsor separate threads for bumpers, drive train, engine, remaining chassis hardware, exterior trim, interior, ...

[Richard M.]

Re: Chassie Bolt/hardware guide

Rich, this is great information.Thanks for taking the time to put this together. I'm sure a enormous amount too. I've saved the link to this thread for my future reference.

Quick question when you get a chance? I see the lock-nuts, like used for the idler arm Carriage bolt and hex bolts, are a interesting profile with (looks like 7) small dots raised around the perimeter. Like this one from a '67 I have here....

P6220050.jpgP6220052.jpgP6220053.jpgP6220054.jpgP6220055.jpgP6220056.jpg


Do you know if these are these available in reproduction? I'm missing one for the carriage bolt.

Thanks Again for this very informative work and reference thread.

Rich

[John H.]

Re: Chassie Bolt/hardware guide

Quick question when you get a chance? I see the lock-nuts, like used for the idler arm Carriage bolt and hex bolts, are a interesting profile with (looks like 7) small dots raised around the perimeter. Like this one from a '67 I have here....
Do you know if these are these available in reproduction? I'm missing one for the carriage bolt.

Rich -

Those prevailing-torque "Stover" nuts should be available from Richard Fortier.

[Richard M.]

Re: Chassie Bolt/hardware guide

Rich -

Those prevailing-torque "Stover" nuts should be available from Richard Fortier.

Thanks John. I'll check with him.

Rich