"High Hat" FI "S" Tube Screws

[Michael H.]

Re: "High Hat" FI "S" Tube Screws

Yes, that original 5/16" hex screw was/is very difficult to install, especially in a brand new core support without threads. Imagine the time required to install four on the line. It's amazing that the 5/16" hex screw lasted as long in production as it did before being replaced by the tall 1/4".

[Floyd #21606]

Re: "High Hat" FI "S" Tube Screws

Guys, I am also trying to find the High Hat" FI "S" Tube Screws for my 65 fuelie. There arn't any junk yards in my area that have any "old cars" to get any of those screws from. Anyone have any other suggestions as where to get some.

Thanks
Floyd
65 Fuelie

[Chuck G.]

Re: "High Hat" FI "S" Tube Screws

Thanks to all. Looks like I'll be using the so called "early" style after all. LOTS of things in the "new" JG that I question. BUT, to be honest, lots of things were "corrected" too from the previous edition. Chuck

[John H.]

Re: "High Hat" FI "S" Tube Screws

In the plants, that "top hat" 1/4" hex-head screw was the hands-down favorite of repairmen and every operator that could steal enough of them to simplify his job; even with the usual magnetic sockets, the regular 5/16" flat hex tapping screws fell out all day long. The guys who had the "top hat" screws spec'd on their operations ran out of them constantly when others "scarfed" their supply between shifts

[John H.]

Re: "High Hat" FI "S" Tube Screws

The "top hat" screws were ALMOST as popular as the chrome phillips-head trim screws that Fisher Body had with a drill point on the end (real self-drillers); Chevy wouldn't release them (cost), and we used to sneak over into the Fisher Hard Trim Shop between shifts and steal them by the pocketful. Or, we'd go over there when the line was running and swap our endless supply of magnetic bit-holders to Fisher foremen for a box of their self-drillers; Fisher foremen were on a "budget" for magnetic bit-holders (and never had enough of them), and we had all we needed, with no "budget" at the Chevrolet Tool Crib. Production guys will do anything to "simplify the job"

[Mike McKown]

Re: "High Hat" FI "S" Tube Screws

I gotta' laugh at this one. I went through the same thing in '73 when we cut a couple of jobs out by eliminating "b" post drilling operation to make holes for the "b" post trim panels. Used drill point screws instead. The problem was, my usage was about 1000 a day. The released usage for another process released by engineering called for only 90 a month! I think it was for Police Interceptor use. I stole screws after shift, during the shift, every day from the trim supervisor in the trim department and the standard parts crib for over a year to keep this operation going. Engineering would never release the drill point screw (cost) for this operation. As far as I know. this operation was still using non-released screws for this operation until balance out on the '78 model.

Engineering never released the drill point screw due to cost. Cost? The direct labor cost of drilling the holes came out of a different pocket at that time frame. Later, they got smart and held engineering accountable for the standard part AND the direct labor to install it.

[Clem Z.]

typical big business

step over dollars to save pennies.