No Threads on 1971 Marker Lights

[Samuel B.]

Hello, I recently bought a 1971 Corvette. It's not perfect, but it's mine. In order to make it a little better, I'm trying to replace the driver's side marker light, as it is missing a lens. I ended up buying the entire assembly, however, there's no threads on the assembly for the nuts of the old one to fasten to. Is this a defective assembly, or do I have to make my own threads?

Picture of the new part, no threads at all:
noThreads.jpg

[Leif A.]

Re: No Threads on 1971 Marker Lights

Samuel,
Welcome to the TDB and congratulations on the purchase of your '71 Corvette. The nuts that are used on the lens studs are callled "thread cutting nuts" and look similar to the picture below. It's best to thread the nuts on the studs prior to installing the lens so that you can pre-cut threads on the stud. It will make it easier to install the nuts when you install the lens.

[Samuel B.]

Re: No Threads on 1971 Marker Lights

Thanks for the info, I'll try to find some of those.


Edit: Found a set and ordered. Any tips on removing the existing assembly? Do I turn on the headlights to get them to move out of the way and work from the bottom?

[Russ S.]

Re: No Threads on 1971 Marker Lights

When you tighten down these nuts do not torque them at all. Just seat them. This style nut strips the studs very easily.

[Bob K.]

Re: No Threads on 1971 Marker Lights

I had issues with the tail lights on my 66, same type studs with speed nuts. Speed nuts would not tighten as I could not get proper angle on them to get speed nuts to seat. I wound up using s die to put threads on the pot metal studs and then used a regular nut and lock washer

[Bill B.]

Re: No Threads on 1971 Marker Lights

Sam,

Also beware of the size (inner diameter) of the speed nut you will be using ... I used the speed nuts packaged with a Trim Parts emblem and ended up breaking off the studs of the emblem before the speed nut got positioned all the way down to clamp against the fiberglass ... Ended up getting another emblem but used a push nut washer (a one-way captive washer) instead with success.

Lief's and Bob's suggestions above may prevent damage to the replacement assembly. Just be careful. Those studs are fragile!

[Don L.]

Re: No Threads on 1971 Marker Lights

[QUOTE=Bill Bertelli (62632);921918]

[Samuel B.]

Re: No Threads on 1971 Marker Lights

Thanks for all the responses. Installed with no problems by taking the front grill off.
newMarkerLight.jpg