1964 J-nuts for gas cap

[Greg H.]

I know this is a small thing, and not visible from the outside, but I want to break bad habits and do a good job on this project. My 64 had two different j-nuts holding the gas cap ring and cover. Two smaller ones, (which look like those offered by LIC for the headlight bezel) then two larger ones at the hinge screws. I suspect the larger ones are incorrect. Can anyone confirm they are either different or the same for all 4?

The smaller one (sorry, upside down):



The larger one:

[Harry S.]

Re: 1964 J-nuts for gas cap

Initially in 1963 they were all the same size. My April car has four the same. My July 63 coupe has two large and two small. The two large are on the top or forward and the other two are lower of aft. Your choice of terminology. Somewhere between VIN 13XXX and 20XXX it changed. I believe it's closer to 20XXX.

Also, as expected, with the larger J-nut the head of the chrome philips head screw is larger.

[Don H.]

Re: 1964 J-nuts for gas cap

Greg
I have originals on my Jan 64 car. and they differ from both of yours. They most closely resemble your larger, but the two halves connect with a middle part, rather than two outer parts with an open middle. Don't know if that makes sense. LICS sells good copies.

[Greg H.]

Re: 1964 J-nuts for gas cap

Thanks, guys. Since these larger ones don't seem to fit right I will order some from LIC and try those.

[Alan D.]

Re: 1964 J-nuts for gas cap

The 63 & 64 AIM's only list 1 nut for these!
The 64 is pn 3846854 which is a U nut described as No 10-16, 13/32 - 1/8
The 13/32 is the distance from inside bend to center of nut hole, the 1/8 is opening of the U nut. I also checked my Mar64 car and all four are the same.
Also noticed a logo of "AR" on two of the nuts. All four screws are also the same pn 3839438 for Mar64. The quoted car is over 90% original, never been restored.

The 63 pn in the AIM is 3797428 which does not correspond to a nut of any kind, so may be an error in AIM however it shows that the four screws are all the same, pn 3826919.

Now exactly what was done in production, who knows?

[Harry S.]

Re: 1964 J-nuts for gas cap

Alan, at the last three regional's I attended I looked at 5 63's with a VIN over 20,000. All of them had two different screw types holing the gas lid bezel.

[Alan D.]

Re: 1964 J-nuts for gas cap

No claims being made here especially for 63's! Just reporting what is in the AIM and on my car. Been around these C2's tooo long to say anything definite.
As for Greg's 64 if he uses what is on mine and as the 64AIM shows he should be good to go (not saying that's how his car was delivered)

[Harry S.]

Re: 1964 J-nuts for gas cap

Alan, I was agreeing with you. I think the change intended for 64 worked it's way into the tail end of 63 production.

[Greg H.]

Re: 1964 J-nuts for gas cap

Thanks, Alan. I decided to order some fro MIC to see what they look like before mounting my cap. Their picture looks like yours. Mine do not look right.

[Tom D.]

Re: 1964 J-nuts for gas cap

Same part number, but with "P" stamped on them. U-nuts with P no - 2.jpg

[Michael S.]

Re: 1964 J-nuts for gas cap

greg, i was working on my 64 with 37k miles. i was thinking about your question. i took these pic's tonight. what i do not understand is the paint on the clip's. were they put on before paint? any one want to clarify? all clips are the same size. my vin is 106505. build date dec 6th gas tank lid clips 002.JPGgas tank lid clips 003.JPGgas tank lid clips 004.JPGof 63.

[Tom D.]

Re: 1964 J-nuts for gas cap

Michael - I assume the paint is original, as in from the factory (STL or Ionia Michigan's A O Smith location). If I had a car that original, and if I was asked to restore it, I would paint the car with the clips.

I don't think they are visible with the stainless "fuel door" trim ring attached, but could be peeked at with a small mirror. The '65 TIM&JG only mentions the screw heads as "oval head phillips". My 63-64 TIM&JG is on loan to an old friend, but I doubt it mentions the u-nuts.

Harry Sadlock talked about the two different chrome screw sizes (see above).

Did you remove four identical chrome plated trim screws?

[Michael S.]

Re: 1964 J-nuts for gas cap

tom, yes i did remove the screws and they are all the same. i just started the resto on my car. i am putting all the screws and bolts etc in plastic bags and marking them. if you would like a pic of the screws let me know. mike.