72 Rocker mldg. screws

[Edward J.]

Im ready to install my rocker mldgs, I brought a repro set of screws, they are black oxide, they are not like the flat black strip on the mouldings,should I paint these flat black or leave as they came?

Thanks for your responses Ed.

[Bill C.]

Re: 72 Rocker mldg. screws

Ed,


Paint them semi gloss black (95% sure).

Also be sure the head is not larger than the hole in the molding, they should fit inside the hole neatly.
The AM kits do not come with the correct screw for the front tab.

Also I just learned (after talking with Kevin Goodman in Kissimme) that the screws going through the rear hole should have a pointed end and use a J nut, not an insert. This may be true for the front one too - just can't remember.

Hope thus helps some.

[Kevin G.]

Re: 72 Rocker mldg. screws

One more thing to add is that the repo screws are not the same length as originals (they should be shorter). This can be seen or felt from the underside by the observant judge. The leading screws or front tab screws on the 72 only are not phillips as Bill stated not in the kit. I'm pretty sure without checking the JG that it is in the guide.

[Edward J.]

Re: 72 Rocker mldg. screws

Thanks for the responses guys, Kevin the JG does say the the two front and two rear screws are flat head phillips,and the lower ones front tabs are hex heads. should the ones that are threaded to the middle section of rockers be the ones that should not be to long, also on my 72 the front fenders and rear panels have rectangle cut outs that appears that a plastic insert fits into. I presently have two and am missing two., is this what is on the cars? Bill says j-nuts. Thanks Ed

[Kevin G.]

Re: 72 Rocker mldg. screws

Thanks for the responses guys, Kevin the JG does say the the two front and two rear screws are flat head phillips,and the lower ones front tabs are hex heads. should the ones that are threaded to the middle section of rockers be the ones that should not be to long, also on my 72 the front fenders and rear panels have rectangle cut outs that appears that a plastic insert fits into. I presently have two and am missing two., is this what is on the cars? Bill says j-nuts. Thanks Ed

Yes, it's the screws in the center should be shorter. I'm not recalling a "plastic insert"? I'll have to take another look. Maybe some one else can jump in?

[Chuck S.]

Re: 72 Rocker mldg. screws

Thanks for the responses guys, Kevin the JG does say the the two front and two rear screws are flat head phillips,and the lower ones front tabs are hex heads. should the ones that are threaded to the middle section of rockers be the ones that should not be to long, also on my 72 the front fenders and rear panels have rectangle cut outs that appears that a plastic insert fits into. I presently have two and am missing two., is this what is on the cars? Bill says j-nuts. Thanks Ed

For 70, the AIM (1F24) shows front two with J-nuts, and one rear with J-nut.

Edit: On closer inspection, only the front tab uses a J-nut; the front two screws and one rear screw are sheet metal screws and use a rectanular nut (PN 445109) that appears to be a type of flat metal speed nut (part number is likely pre plastic). Configuration may be different on 72s.

It makes sense that you have J-nuts (or speed nuts) where the molding is attached to the fiberglass panels; otherwise there is no meat for durable threads without a "bolting plate". The three center locations have threaded steel inserts in the birdcage rail and use machine screws as I recall.

I remember the screw heads in 70 all being countersinking crown head (kind of a flat head) with cross recess. Hex heads I haven't seen, but my experience is only on 70.

[Terry M.]

Re: 72 Rocker mldg. screws

The screw for the tab is hex head only in 1970 (and maybe only for part of the model year, but I am not sure of that). For 1971 & 1972 the tab screw is Phillips(r) (or to be generic: cross-recess). I believe it is a pan head screw, but you should check some real cars to be sure of the head shape.

[Kevin G.]

Re: 72 Rocker mldg. screws

The screw for the tab is hex head only in 1970 (and maybe only for part of the model year, but I am not sure of that). For 1971 & 1972 the tab screw is Phillips(r) (or to be generic: cross-recess). I believe it is a pan head screw, but you should check some real cars to be sure of the head shape.

If you take a look at Dr. Hulst pictures I think you will find the hex head on his 72?

[Edward J.]

Re: 72 Rocker mldg. screws

Terry the JG calls out for hex head in 72 on lower tabs and phillips on earlier cars.

Kevin, if you wouldn't mind looking at your 72 that would be great.

[Harmon C.]

Re: 72 Rocker mldg. screws

I think you should check more cars as I have only seen regular threads on all the screws that go on the front face of the rocker molding with nuts and washers on the front and rear locations and threaded holes in the rocker panel. The tab location has a J nut with a 5/16 head metal screw. Using a J nut on the front or rear acts like a washer in the square hole but I have not seen them installed like a J nut should be. Reproduction screws I have seen have a smaller head size than original screws. At the factory they was just putting cars out the door so any screw may have been used if needed if it looked ok on the front side.

Lyle

[Chuck S.]

Re: 72 Rocker mldg. screws

The screw for the tab is hex head only in 1970 (and maybe only for part of the model year, but I am not sure of that). For 1971 & 1972 the tab screw is Phillips(r) (or to be generic: cross-recess). I believe it is a pan head screw, but you should check some real cars to be sure of the head shape.

I forgot to address the tab screw itself, but it's possible that both hex and cross recess could be correct for late 70 through 72, depending on what part of the head you're describing.

The sheet in my late 70 AIM does seem to show a flanged head screw (PN 9419322) for the bottom tab; this type trim screw often has like a small hex head (1/4"-3/8") on top of the flange, with a cross recess in the center of the hex. Finish on the bottom of the molding would not be important, so they likely used a black screw there.

[Edward J.]

Re: 72 Rocker mldg. screws

Guys, the lower tabs do have j-nuts, but the screws at the 4 cornors are a real question on just how there are secured. the cut outs in the fenders and rear qtr.s are of not able to use a j-nut.

there ia presently a plastic insert( almost like a lic. plate insert) that can use a self taping screw or even a machine style screw. as is what was on the car when I removed the rockers for refinishing. I would say that it may have been a 72 or later car thing, but not sure.

[Dave S.]

Re: 72 Rocker mldg. screws

Guys, the lower tabs do have j-nuts, but the screws at the 4 cornors are a real question on just how there are secured. the cut outs in the fenders and rear qtr.s are of not able to use a j-nut.

there ia presently a plastic insert( almost like a lic. plate insert) that can use a self taping screw or even a machine style screw. as is what was on the car when I removed the rockers for refinishing. I would say that it may have been a 72 or later car thing, but not sure.

The front screws that use the J nut are cross recess in my late 1970 and hex head on both of my 71's. (one mid production and one very late).

[Kevin G.]

Re: 72 Rocker mldg. screws

Ed, Here's what I found not sure how helpful it will be however!

On my 72 the first and last screws are pointed phillips held in place by "half a j nut" sorry I don't know the name of the fastener. This fastener fits into the small rectangle (just a little bit larger) that you mentioned earlier. No plastic nut, but I do see how that could be a very good idea. As for the tab screws they are hex head maybe 5/16 or 1/4 (I can check)held in by a J nut.

On my 71 the first and last screws are pointed phillips only three are held in by the half J nut, the last one is held in by a small nut and washer. None of these fasteners look like they have ever been touched. As for the tab screws they are pan head phillips held in by a j nut.

Sorry to add to the confusion but I think it safe to say that you could go with any of the above without a point deduction, of course not the plastic nut.
Always best to follow the JG as your best defense.

I looked at your pictures, beautiful work!

[Edward J.]

Re: 72 Rocker mldg. screws

Kevin, thanks for your time taken to inspect your car, I beleive I have a Idea of what your explaining. thats the last thing that had me questioning just what secures the moulding to the fender, I think I may have something that will work at least to get by the judging.