GM 103397, 103374, an 103386 Cotter Pin Sizes

[Bill L.]

Reassembling rear suspension and looking for the correct sized cotter pins.

Thank you,


Bill

[David B.]

Re: GM 103397, 103374, an 103386 Cotter Pin Sizes

103397 1-1/4" 5/32 plain
103374 1" 3/32 plain
103386 1-1/4" 1/8 plain

[Joe L.]

Re: GM 103397, 103374, an 103386 Cotter Pin Sizes

103397 1-1/4" 5/32 plain
103374 1" 3/32 plain
103386 1-1/4" 1/8 plain

Dave and Bill------


Yes, virtually all cotter pins originally used on Corvette were of "plain" finish. Of course, this finish rusts rapidly especially on the chassis where most cotter pins are used. Using stainless steel cotter pins (rather than far more common zinc plated type) best replicates the original finish without being susceptible to rust. Unfortunately, the "loop style" of most stainless steel cotter pins is usually different than the style used on most original GM cotter pins.

[Patrick H.]

Re: GM 103397, 103374, an 103386 Cotter Pin Sizes

Here you go:

http://www.parts123.com/corvettecentral/dyndetail.pta?catalog=0000050g&ukey=11603

[Bill L.]

Re: GM 103397, 103374, an 103386 Cotter Pin Sizes

Here you go:

http://www.parts123.com/corvettecent...50g&ukey=11603

Will these be stainless or plain steel?

I treat the plain still with RPM to prevent rust.

Thank you! Bill

[Patrick H.]

Re: GM 103397, 103374, an 103386 Cotter Pin Sizes

I assume steel, but I'm sure you could call CC and ask.

[Joe L.]

Re: GM 103397, 103374, an 103386 Cotter Pin Sizes

I assume steel, but I'm sure you could call CC and ask.

Bill and Patrick------


It says in the product description that they are zinc plated steel. Very few of the cotter pins used in PRODUCTION were zinc plated. Most were "plain" (i.e. unfinished) and rust fairly quickly.

[Terry M.]

Re: GM 103397, 103374, an 103386 Cotter Pin Sizes

Bill and Patrick------


It says in the product description that they are zinc plated steel. Very few of the cotter pins used in PRODUCTION were zinc plated. Most were "plain" (i.e. unfinished) and rust fairly quickly.

Back when we (Peter Lindahl & I) provided the cotter pin kits to CC we included instructions for removing the zinc plating. We have been out of that business for several years, so I don't know what information is included in their kits.

We provided them plated because plain cotters would begin to oxidize in storage, handling and packaging. Immersing the cotters in a mild acid, like lemon juice, overnight will remove the zinc plating if that is your desire.

[Joe L.]

Re: GM 103397, 103374, an 103386 Cotter Pin Sizes

Back when we (Peter Lindahl & I) provided the cotter pin kits to CC we included instructions for removing the zinc plating. We have been out of that business for several years, so I don't know what information is included in their kits.

We provided them plated because plain cotters would begin to oxidize in storage, handling and packaging. Immersing the cotters in a mild acid, like lemon juice, overnight will remove the zinc plating if that is your desire.

Terry-----


Actually, I do not recommend removing the zinc plating. I mention that most originals were not plated for the sake of accuracy but I wouldn't go so far as to use un-plated cotter pins. I'd use stainless steel or zinc plated. I hate rust.

[Gary B.]

Re: GM 103397, 103374, an 103386 Cotter Pin Sizes

In rust we trust.
Vinegar works good also getting zinc plating off. If your in a hurry, Muriatic acid for swimming pools works really well. CRC Sp350 (metal preservative) on them and they look good for a long time.
Gary

[Bill L.]

Re: GM 103397, 103374, an 103386 Cotter Pin Sizes

In rust we trust.
Vinegar works good also getting zinc plating off. If your in a hurry, Muriatic acid for swimming pools works really well. CRC Sp350 (metal preservative) on them and they look good for a long time.
Gary

Hi Gary,

I will remove the plating and apply RPM to the cotter pins. Used the RPM on my differential 3 or 4 years ago and not a spec of rust. Same is true of cotter pins already installed elsewhere.

Kind Regards,


Bill

[Terry M.]

Re: GM 103397, 103374, an 103386 Cotter Pin Sizes

In rust we trust.
Vinegar works good also getting zinc plating off. If your in a hurry, Muriatic acid for swimming pools works really well. CRC Sp350 (metal preservative) on them and they look good for a long time.
Gary

Be very careful with Muriatic Acid. The vapors from it will oxidize (rust) everything in your garage. I have no swimming pool maintenance experience, so I don't know what concentration of this product is used in them. Where are our chemically dependent members?

[Joe L.]

Re: GM 103397, 103374, an 103386 Cotter Pin Sizes

Be very careful with Muriatic Acid. The vapors from it will oxidize (rust) everything in your garage. I have no swimming pool maintenance experience, so I don't know what concentration of this product is used in them. Where are our chemically dependent members?

Terry------


Muriatic acid is a term often used in industry for hydrochloric acid. It's actually an obsolete term but it's still widely used. If I were going to use it for removing zinc plating from cotter pins, I would use an extremely dilute solution. Actually, I think using something like citric acid or acetic acid would be safer and better. Vinegar represents an easy source for acetic acid.