66 side pipe cover front u-nut

[Edward S.]

Last year I got a point deduction at a show because I was told I had the wrong nuts on my front side pipe cover u-nuts which attach to the bottom splash shield. Are the nuts on the u-nut clips suppose to square (4-sided) or Hex (6-sided) ? Thanks for any replys. Ed

[John H.]

Re: 66 side pipe cover front u-nut

Last year I got a point deduction at a show because I was told I had the wrong nuts on my front side pipe cover u-nuts which attach to the bottom splash shield. Are the nuts on the u-nut clips suppose to square (4-sided) or Hex (6-sided) ? Thanks for any replys. Ed

Ed -

The original 3880494 U-nuts had square (4-sided) nuts.

[Edward S.]

Re: 66 side pipe cover front u-nut

Thank You John! Ed.

[Ronald M.]

Re: 66 side pipe cover front u-nut

Does anyone know of a current source for the 3880494 u-nuts?

[Brian T.]

Re: 66 side pipe cover front u-nut

Part number 3880494 u-nut. Well we discussed these nuts last year. Had a thread going, and it was pulled. We have them now. Just like the originals with the "M" marking. Also decided to produce the 3831394 u-nut with 1/4" threads. These were used for grille attachment on 63-64, center grille on 65, 66 and 67, glove box frame to dash pad and dash cluster to dash pad. At least the cluster and glove box will be much easier to install as they cannot be seen. The grille u-nuts are visible. I remember the cloth bag that came with the 63-64 grilles when they were available! You received a set of these nuts and the Phillips screws with attached washer. That was a bonus! I have heard from another member and he sent pics of the u-nut attachment at the splash pan. They show a u-nut that had a thinner opening, which would make sense since the splash pan is thinner than the fiberglass. Assembly manuals for N14 option show the same nut at the splash pan that is specified for the side exhaust cover attachment points. Maybe this was one of those pieces of hardware scavenged from one of the other St. Louis plants and used in production even though it was not specified in the drawings? Anybody have some of these on original cars?

[Joe L.]

Re: 66 side pipe cover front u-nut

Original u-nuts of the period almost always used an attached square nut. U-nuts with an attached hex nut came along later. In some cases the part number may have remained the same since there was absolutely no change in functionality. Why did they use square nuts? My guess is because it provided more surface for attachment to the stamped steel "U".

[Richard M.]

Re: 66 side pipe cover front u-nut

Brian, This is good. Can you post a few detail photos of the part?

Rich

[Brian T.]

Re: 66 side pipe cover front u-nut

Richard,


I have attached 2 pictures. One showing the 3880494 and the other showing the 3831394.

Brian

[Brian T.]

Re: 66 side pipe cover front u-nut

One more showing both nuts.