Nuts & Bolts

[Joe S.]

During the restoration of my very late build (July) 1967 Roadster I noticed that many of the odd bolts have a Dormain stamping on the head with additional numbers. I first assumed these were replacement bolts that were used over the years. But what struck me was that many of these odd ball bolts in obscure places had the same markings, many of these bolts were for specific applications and I do not think were available as aftermarket items. A friend told me he thought Dormain was a supplier to GM and may have utilized these bolts in the production line. I thought their may be some validity to the story as the car was a very late build and also has 1968 heads on the engine. I verified that GM ran out of 67 heads late in production and did replace them with 68 castings.

Can anyone shed some light on this before I continue to find correct bolts if the story is true and what I have are correct.

[Mike E.]

Re: Nuts & Bolts

Joe--
Dormain, or Dorman? Dorman is an aftermarket bolt company--I've never seen an original Dorman bolt on an original Corvette, but I've seen a number of Dorman bolts that replaced original bolts. My knowledge base is essentially only 54-72, however.

[Terry M.]

Re: Nuts & Bolts

I have seen a number of otherwise original 1970-and 1971 454s with rocker arm cover fasteners with a large D for a head mark. I don't know if these are Dorman or not, and I must admit that first ones I saw caused me to be skeptical. After seeing about a dozen I have become a believer, but as I said I am not sure that is a symbol for Dorman.

[Gene M.]

Re: Nuts & Bolts

Terry,
The "D" valve cover bolts in 1972 are very common. In out area they are more common than not on what are noted as original owner cars.

[John H.]

Re: Nuts & Bolts

During the restoration of my very late build (July) 1967 Roadster I noticed that many of the odd bolts have a Dormain stamping on the head with additional numbers.

Joe -

What do those headmarks look like? Got a photo you can post?

[Patrick T.]

Re: Nuts & Bolts

Joe, you mentioned that you have a very late July, '67 car. Can I ask what the build date is for it? My late '67 has a July 6th build date and VIN is #22526. Just curious, as I haven't seen many July '67 cars here besides my own. PT

[Joe L.]

Re: Nuts & Bolts

During the restoration of my very late build (July) 1967 Roadster I noticed that many of the odd bolts have a Dormain stamping on the head with additional numbers. I first assumed these were replacement bolts that were used over the years. But what struck me was that many of these odd ball bolts in obscure places had the same markings, many of these bolts were for specific applications and I do not think were available as aftermarket items. A friend told me he thought Dormain was a supplier to GM and may have utilized these bolts in the production line. I thought their may be some validity to the story as the car was a very late build and also has 1968 heads on the engine. I verified that GM ran out of 67 heads late in production and did replace them with 68 castings.

Can anyone shed some light on this before I continue to find correct bolts if the story is true and what I have are correct.

Joe-----


If what you are referring to is Dorman and if the headmarking you believe associated with Dorman is a "D", then I agree with all the other responders. I do not know that "D" ever represented Dorman. I do know that it did represent Decker Nut Company (which also made fasteners other than nuts), but it MAY also have represented Dorman.

As others have mentioned, bolts with a "D" headmarking were commonly used for STEEL valve cover bolts beginning in, at least, 1969. My original owner 1969 300-350 was equipped with these bolts. However, I don't know that these bolts were used earlier than 1969. Also, I have never found any other fastener on any Corvette that had a "D" headmarking or any other headmarking that led me to believe that Dorman was the manufacturer.