70 rocker panel hardware

[Bill L.]

Does anyone have a picture of GM 445109 nuts? I looked on line and it seems like it is just a hex head nut yet in the AIM it is drawn as a rectangular type nut.

What are the specs for the screw GM 9419322 that attaches the rocker tab to the fiberglass? The archives indicated that in 70 it was a black oxide filister head phillips screw.

What is the difference between the three attaching screws GM 3966696 that are in the two locations in the front and the location on the rear of each rocker panel and the ones in the middle if any. My AIM only calls out the three 3966696 and not the ones n the middle.

What does the J nut GM 3846854 look like?

Thanks, Bill

[Terry M.]

Re: 70 rocker panel hardware

Does anyone have a picture of GM 445109 nuts? I looked on line and it seems like it is just a hex head nut yet in the AIM it is drawn as a rectangular type nut.

What are the specs for the screw GM 9419322 that attaches the rocker tab to the fiberglass? The archives indicated that in 70 it was a black oxide filister head phillips screw.

What is the difference between the three attaching screws GM 3966696 that are in the two locations in the front and the location on the rear of each rocker panel and the ones in the middle if any. My AIM only calls out the three 3966696 and not the ones n the middle.

What does the J nut GM 3846854 look like?

Thanks, Bill

Bill,

NEVER EVER rely on the image in the AIM for configuration of a part -- ANY part. The AIM drawings show how parts go together and most importantly their part numbers, but there was no intention on the part of GM Graphics (the original source of the AIM pages) to indicate the head shape or style of fasteners or hose clamps.

For the screw that fastens the tab, you have some work on your hands. Early 1970 used a hex head screw. Later 1970 production used the Phillips fillister head screw you reference.

I know your next question, and I don't know the answer. The research is all yours. I can start you out by telling you my January 29 1970 has the hex head screw. The rest is up to you. Of course if your 1970 is early or late production you will not have much work to do.

[Randy C.]

Re: 70 rocker panel hardware

Here's a shot at it. I have an AMK Products catalog that I use for reference because they have a GM part number cross-reference in the back of the catalog. Sometimes those old fasteners are in there.

Here's what I found on part number 445109. AMK calls it a spring nut, #8-18, measures .41" X .62"L, it's finish is phosphate and oil (gray-black). You will find it on page 65 of their 2009 catalog (www.amkproducts.com). I took a picture of it and will try to add it to the end of this message, even tho I haven't had luck in the past in attaching pictures to my responses (I blame it on my fingers; my mind is OK, according to me!).

Sometimes the AMK catalog doesn't jive with other manuals, such as our own TIM&JG publication. Your info on part number 9419322 is a good example. AMK says it is a tapping screw with a hex/washer head, not a filister head phillips screw as you mentioned. AMK says it is a 10-16 thread X 3/4" long, 5/16' head, .40" outside diameter washer, and comes in either phosphate & oil or a zinc (dark silver) finish.

I couldn't find any info on part numbers 3966696 (screw) or 3846854 (j-nut).

Hope this helps.

[Scott S.]

Re: 70 rocker panel hardware

Here's a shot at it. I have an AMK Products catalog that I use for reference because they have a GM part number cross-reference in the back of the catalog. Sometimes those old fasteners are in there.

Here's what I found on part number 445109. AMK calls it a spring nut, #8-18, measures .41" X .62"L, it's finish is phosphate and oil (gray-black).

That's it. It's the same spring-nut used with the rocker panels going back to at least 1963. My originals (1967) look like the picture Randal posted, so do the examples that came with the hardware bundled with my NOS rocker panels.

My original 445109 spring-nuts are stamped "T" (probably for Tinnerman). The P&A lists it under Group 8.921, says "No. 8-15" as opposed to AMK's 8-18.

[Bill L.]

Re: 70 rocker panel hardware

Thanks Randal,

I have an AMK catalog but I was concerned that neither p/n was correct when measured against the AIM.


Bill

[Bill L.]

Re: 70 rocker panel hardware

HI Terry,

Mine is an early June build serial number 11327. Hmmm.

Anyone have an original unmolested 70 with original hardware close in build date to mine?

Thanks,



Bill

[Michael F.]

Re: 70 rocker panel hardware

8xxx may car (not sure of exact number) and has phillips screws, owner history, not messed with to my knowledge.

[Bill L.]

Re: 70 rocker panel hardware

Thanks Michael.

Looks like phillips screw.

Does someone have a 71 or 72 AIM with a part number. My 70 AIM calls out the hex head screw.

Bill

[Randy C.]

Re: 70 rocker panel hardware

My '71 AIM calls for the same part number, 9419322. So, I took out the screws that are in that place on my '71 and measured them up against the AMK catalog. What I got was this: my screws in that position are identical to the phillips tapping pan head screw (not filister head) shown on page 88 of the AMK catalog. Here are the specs: 10-16 thread X 5/8" long, .44 flat (captured washer), black paint over phosphorous finish. They show a GM part number of 9437859. It's AMK part number B-12231.

Keep in mind I took my Corvette apart back in 2001 and reassembled it over the next two years. I was pretty anal about marking fasteners as to where they went so I'm 99% sure the same screws that came out of that spot went back in again, even to the side from which they came. It took a lot of effort to get those screws out intact, even more so with the screws that hold the rocker moldings to each side of the car, so I'm pretty sure they were original to the car.

And that's my two cents worth!

Randy C.

[Bill L.]

Re: 70 rocker panel hardware

That is great information Randal.

FYI-I am trying to confirm, but I am pretty sure the J clip is the same as used on the body to attach rear grills on deck to the body.

Does that jibe with what you have

How long are the screws holder the rockers to the body? I am pretty sure the head is .26". AMK has the right configuration but they are too long so I will want to cut them down.

Thank you, Bill

[Randy C.]

Re: 70 rocker panel hardware

I'm sure the j-clips for the rocker panel and the j-clips for the vent grills are not the same. The threads on the respective screws that go into those j-nuts are not the same. I noticed when I ordered a screw kit that included the vent grill screws through one of the Corvette suppliers, those screws did not fit in the original j-nuts. I cleaned my original screws and then re-black oxided them with a kit available through Eastwood. The screws came out pretty good but they rust real easy.

The screws I have that attach the rocker panel to the body are oval phillips head machine (about a 10-24 X 5/8" long) with a black paint over phosphate finish. I believe I used replacement screws here - it was awhile ago and I don't recall, except that it seems the screws I removed were pretty rough and the ones I have in there now look pretty nice. The heads on the rocker panel outside screws measure 5/16" (.3125") in diameter - bigger than the .26" you mention.

The screws I mention previously that attach the rocker tab to the body via the j-nut look original to me - I cleaned what I could and reused them and those screws are definitely reused.

One of the things I didn't like when I went through my '71 from 2001 to 2003 was that some of the exact fasteners I needed to replace old ones were no longer available and I had to settle, in most cases, for what was provided as replacement. I was almost driving myself crazy up to a point and then just decided I would have to take what was available now. Once I accepted that, it allowed me to "move on", so to speak! It's not a fun process!

Hope this helps.

Randy C.