2 63 Fastener Questions

[Chuck G.]

#1. Spare tire tub: Where it bolts to the frame, I have 4 shoulder washer fine thread bolts, 1/4 x 28 or 5/16 x 24, I can't remember and don't have them close by, but they're definitely fine thread. Seems odd to have fine threads "tapped" into the frame. Correct? What should the correct bolt be?

#2. Interior kick panels. I have 7 or 8 of those chrome washer head trim screws. There is one of these screws at every mounting position...both sides. They're old and crusty...look original. The AIM shows only 4 of these shoulder washer chrome screws used, and 3 or 4 plain trim screws without the washer head. What's correct, washer head everywhere or just like in the AIM? TIA. Chuck

[Joe R.]

Re: 2 63 Fastener Questions

Chuck,

The washer head screws are only used on the metal strip that holds the binding on the kicks. The other screws are just philips head chrome screws that go into eyelets in the kick panel.

Regards,

JR

[Bob R.]

Re: 2 63 Fastener Questions

I just installed the spare tire tub on my 63 2 weeks ago. The 4 bolts that hold the tub up to the car are fine thread into sheetmetal. The 2 front bolts on my car did not grab well, as the sheetmetal must have been worn from repeated install and removal. I used a little thread lock on the bolts. The 2 rear bolts held fine. Once the lower tray is installed there is very little force on the tub bolts. They should hold on fine.

[James W.]

Re: 2 63 Fastener Questions

Chuck,

The correct bolts that hold the spare tire tub to the frame crossmember and the fuel tank crossmember are four (4), 5/16"-24 x 1/2" fine thread bolts with flat washers. These bolts have a black phosphate finish. I recently had to install thread inserts or Helicoils into the frame cross member to get the bolts to tighten up correctly. I used some red Loc-tite on the thread inserts to keep them in place when installing the bolts. I also welded on two small 1/8" x 1-1/2" x 2" backing plates to the fuel tank crossmember then drilled and tapped them to accept the 5/16"-24 x 1/2" bolts. One these small backing plates are installed they are not visible when the crossmember is installed on the car. The helicoil kit can be purchased at NAPA. Be prepared to spend around $45 for the kit. It will include the proper size drill bit, tap insert installation tool and several 5/16"-24 helicoils.

Best Regards,

James West
Omaha, NE.
NCRS Member #18379
1964 Corvette convertible
NCRS Nebraska Chapter Co-Chairman/Judging Chairman

[John H.]

Re: 2 63 Fastener Questions

The original tub screws are fine-thread self-tappers; if they strip out in the thin sheet metal, aluminum Riv-nuts are a great repair (don't get steel ones or you'll need a special tool to install them). I use 5/16-18 aluminum Riv-nuts (nobody can count the thread pitch by looking at a bolt head), and use an allen-head bolt and AN washer, well-oiled, to install them; one shot with an impact and a hex bit and they clinch instantly. This is a permanent repair, doesn't require anything to be disassembled, and will survive repetitive disassembly.

The 5/16"-18 aluminum Riv-nut is their #A31-125 (Rivnut Engineered Products, 219-347-9383); also available from McMaster-Carr, Grainger, etc.