fastener part numbers

[Robert S.]

Re: fastener part numbers

My goal at this point is to address any pieces that are obviously incorrect. Also, as I remove and then replace components on the car I would like to re-assemble with the "most correct" fasteners.

Maybe some day in the future if I do a body-off I'll become just as anal as everyone else.

[Chuck S.]

Re: fastener part numbers

My goal at this point is to address any pieces that are obviously incorrect. Also, as I remove and then replace components on the car I would like to re-assemble with the "most correct" fasteners.

Maybe some day in the future if I do a body-off I'll become just as anal as everyone else.

My opinion is your concern about large numbers of non-original fasteners is misplaced.

As I tried to say in my first post, there should not be large numbers of non-original fasteners on an original car without a history of past "restoration", or a lot of maintenance or performance modifications. Non-original fasteners on such unmolested cars will be the exception rather than the rule.

If your car has not been restored or modified, observe and catalog the existing headmarks with confidence. I believe you will that find a consensus of period headmarks will soon develop for you.

Investigate any headmarks that are "outlayers", i.e headstamps that occur in single instances or infrequently. Assume they are original until experienced restorers and judges tell you otherwise.

Any zinc plated fasteners with a three letter format like AJE or BLD in the center of the head, with no other markings or three radial lines, will be suspect. The A** or B** is the home store pricing code for type, size and length. These codes were once ink-stamped on the head (definitely a tip-off), but now they are forged into the head and appear very much like original manufacturer headstamps.

[Robert S.]

Re: fastener part numbers

I don't think my concern is misplaced. Although mostly original and not highly modified, the car does have some replaced components. The A.I.R. pump is missing and I need to replace the headers with the factory manifolds. All of this could affect bolts, washers, etc. that are used. I'm sure I'll find other areas of the car that have been tinkered with as I look in more detail.

So, when I install the correct parts I would like to use the "correct" fasteners at that time.

[Chuck S.]

Re: fastener part numbers

I don't think my concern is misplaced. Although mostly original and not highly modified, the car does have some replaced components. The A.I.R. pump is missing and I need to replace the headers with the factory manifolds. All of this could affect bolts, washers, etc. that are used. I'm sure I'll find other areas of the car that have been tinkered with as I look in more detail.

So, when I install the correct parts I would like to use the "correct" fasteners at that time.

OK, that's a couple dozen or so...the other couple thousand should probably be just fine.

You are certainly the best judge of what your car requires. I meant to suggest you should first understand what an original fastener IS, THEN make a complete assessment before you jump to any conclusions about the car's overall fastener originality. Don't worry...there will be plenty of real challenges on the way to restoring originality

Of course, your original thread objective was to learn if there were references that described original fasteners, but as you know by now, there are no books or catalogs that allow you to simply look up any fastener you see on your car. All of us have to learn fasteners the hard way.

All I'm saying is what others here have said before...trust the originality of the car until you discover otherwise.

[Robert S.]

Re: fastener part numbers

I have often wondered how many fasteners there actually are in total. I have nothing but respect for those that have done a complete body-off. Patience has never been my strong point.

The main reason for my original post:
Is there a straightforward way of determining what the "correct" fastener should be (i.e, looking up the part number stated in the AIM)?

Since that's not the case, it will just take a little more effort. Your comment makes sense: Don't assume a fastener is automatically incorrect.

[John H.]

Re: fastener part numbers

Joe Tripoli's Chassis Restoration book has about eight pages of gory detail on most fasteners, including size, length, thread, headmarks, and applications. It's available from the NCRS on-line store (button at the top of the page.

[Robert S.]

Re: fastener part numbers

John, thanks for the suggestion. Looks like a good reference.

[Randy R.]

Re: fastener part numbers

Paragon used to have a description of the fasteners they have for sale in the back of their catalog. I think they charge for it now. The " Corvette Chassis Restoration Guide" by Tripoli has a list of chassis fasteners.

Randy

[Roberto L.]

Re: fastener part numbers

I remember some Paragon Catalog with last pages with fasteners, showing picture, head, size, etc.

Sorry I it was commented before

Best regards

[Rich P.]

Re: fastener part numbers

Not trying to complicate things here but you also have to keep in mind that there are period correct headmarking variations for the same bolt. IE: some WB's are correct for 60-67 then they started making another variation of the WB (several is more like it) This is true for TR , M and all the otheres.

Rich

[Scott S.]

Re: fastener part numbers

You might retry your post at some time in the future with a bit of a different bent. You might try to find someone (and there are a number of us around) who are anal-retentive enough to have logged in the size and headmarking of every bolt and fastener on their car. That generally is done when someone does a body-off, has all their hardware replated, and wants to keep records of what went where. There has to be someone with a 71 who has done that. That won't mean that every fastener on yours will be identical with theirs. but it will give you an outstanding baseline from which to begin.
I pretty much have that for 62 and for 67, but not for a 71. If you do find such results, I'd love to have a copy.

Almost all of my fasteners are in labeled bags, and I'm working on compiling a database before re-plating. If anyone has a fastener list they would share with me like the list Mike mentions above, particularly for a 1967 small-block coupe, please send me a PM. That would be a great help.

Scott

[Roberto L.]

Re: fastener part numbers

Looking at my 1971 AIM, I see that part numbers are given for the various bolts, nut, washers, etc. If I would like to know specifics for a particular fastener, for example, the size of a bolt, is there a document that I can access (old parts book?) that would have that information given the part number?

I'm a fairly new Chevy guy (for older Vettes).

I use the Corvette Parts and Illustration Catalog manual (I have 53-82 book). Many times the drawings show bolt/nut/screw sizes.

Best regards

[Doug L.]

Re: fastener part numbers

Within the last 2-3 months I disassembled my 64 roadster. I bagged and tagged all bolts. Then I realized it was necessary to record the information before I sent them to be re-plated. I assume the plating company would not take the time to plate a bolt then place it back in its baggie before plating the next bolt. As I removed each bolt from its baggie I recorded the diameter, length, style (recessed head, integgral with a flat washer, etc.) headmark and type of plating (cad vs. Black Phospate) in my AIM since that would be what I will use during reassembly.

As John mentioned the Tripolli book has a nice list of head marks that could be compared with what is removed from the frame or used as a guide. Just as important is a Judging Guide which in the case of the 1964 will tell head marks and the plating type that is expected during the judging process on many if not all of the bolts.

My car had not been previously restored, but it had been worked on. It seems that if a component was repaired or replaced, the mechanic did not bother to replace the original bolt. I found several instances of modern head marks that use radial tick-marks to identify grade 3, 5 and 8 bolts.

A surprising number of what appear to be original bolts had recessed heads.

I have ordered some sets of bolts from suppliers (Long Island Corvette to name one) to replace one of a set that I had to cut to remove. Those bolts had head marks identical to the cut bolt, so it is possible to use a supplier catalog to get correct replacement bolts. I would ask before placing the order.

What remains a mystery to me is situations where a part is attached with several bolts and I found 2 or more different head marks comprisiing the set. Perhaps the assembly line had bins of bolts that had different head marks in the same size bolt.

Doug Loeffler

[Randy C.]

Re: fastener part numbers

The AMK Products Inc has a cross-reference to some GM fasteners in the back of its catalog. If they have the fastener, they also provide specifics and picture(s) of that fastener in the catalog. I've been able to locate some of the missing or incorrect screws, u-nuts or j-nuts, and so forth, for my '71. You should be able to view their on-line catalog at www.amkproducts.com. I've found it to come in handy on several occasions, not only with the '71, but with our '68 4-4-2 as well.

Randy C.

[Alan S.]

Re: fastener part numbers

Hi Doug,
I've noticed the mixed head marking situation too.
I've read that boxes from suppliers were dumped together on the production line as they were needed.
On my 71 the bumper bracket to frame bolts have one head marking on the left side and another on the right... different supplier each side.
Regards,
Alan