C2 Which fasteners? Retain the early two bolt clutch boot to the firewall?

[Richard G.]

Anyone have any information on the correct fasteners for the early two bolt clutch boot to the firewall?
This is for an early 1963. They go through a small steel retainer. Unsure if they have J nuts or just screw into the Fiberglas.
Thanks
Rick

[Edward J.]

Re: C2 Which fasteners? Retain the early two bolt clutch boot to the firewall?

Rich, They are a self tapping 1/4" recessed hex head. zinc plating. I have not looked behind the dash to see what holds them but I think it must be a plate?? if you need a pic. let me know.

[Jack H.]

Re: C2 Which fasteners? Retain the early two bolt clutch boot to the firewall?

I never saw anything in the AIM regarding the early clutch boot fasteners anchoring into anything other than the fiberglass firewall. But, for concours correctness, don't forget the 'dum dum' that the factory applied around the outside edges of the boot. A lot of guys forget to add this finishing touch...

[Richard G.]

Re: C2 Which fasteners? Retain the early two bolt clutch boot to the firewall?

Thanks
i noticed the gooey stuff but wasn't sure what it was.
I have some black I was using it behind the wheel well and door access plates.
Would that be correct or should it be the lighter colored stuff?

Here are some pictures;
Notice the difference in the end of the boot where the rod goes through.


I am assuming the bulge in the boot and the nipple on the metal surround should be matched up?
The boot has a lean to it and I cant figure out what else it might be for.
Shown lined up in the picture below;
You can also see the left over dum dum on the old boot in this same picture.

Below is a macro photo of the screw that I believe goes in the boot retainer.
Without magnification it is impossible to see the head markings.


Overview of the screw.


I am no proof positive this is the correct screw, a likely candidate is what I am calling it now.

[Edward J.]

Re: C2 Which fasteners? Retain the early two bolt clutch boot to the firewall?

Rich, it appears that those screws are correct, the head marking from my screws look like the letter (I) with the letter (M) through the middle of the I. Also I have found the repro boots are not great they tend to rip easy its the thickness, your original has a reinforcement ridge that will make it a bit stronger on the end, that is the weak link on the repro's. and the 3M strip chalk will also aid in helping the boot stay in place.

[Richard G.]

Re: C2 Which fasteners? Retain the early two bolt clutch boot to the firewall?

Thanks so much for the confirmation on the screws. I only have one. I will see what I can use for the other till I am able to located another correct screw. The pictures were taken at 7X magnification. Really difficult to see the head markings. Frankly, I was surprised there were any.
I have some 3M strip chalk, I purchased online. It's black, soft, non-hardening caulking material. I may have been confusing it with seam seal.
I will use the sticky black stuff on the area where the boot meets the dash. Color of the calking will matche the black out.
Thanks again as you confirmed my suspicions, as I was wondering about the boot quality. The original lasted 15 years and about 90K of driving.

Rick

[Richard G.]

Re: C2 Which fasteners? Retain the early two bolt clutch boot to the firewall?

Jack Humphrey;
Through others I was able to confirm there is a steel backing plate for the clutch boot retainer.

[Jim D.]

Re: C2 Which fasteners? Retain the early two bolt clutch boot to the firewall?

Here's a pic. of the backing plate installed.