bolt size for 50 convertible front fenders
 

Hello,

Just bought a 49/50/51 hodge-podge of parts that supposedly can be assembled into a convertible minus a drivetrain. The entire front clip is off the car, and I've decided to start assembling that to see what I've got and what I need. Unfortunately the boxes of parts included very few fasteners and no indication of which goes where.

So my first question for this forum, is what size bolts and clip nuts (aka extruded U-nuts) do I need to attach the top of the front fenders to the inner fender liners. Just looking at the 3/8"ish holes I'd think a 1/4-20 or perhaps 5/16-18. However, It seems as though the typical U-nuts for bolts that large have the center of the hole pretty far from the clip, like in the 3/4" range. If the bolt were up against the side of the hole furthest from the edge of the panel, the clip would still only be about 9/16 from the edge. So I'd think I'd need a smaller clip. Perhaps a #14 or #12. But at those sizes, I'm not sure the connection would be strong enough.

I apologize if this has been answered elsewhere, but I could not find anything about it.

Have a good one,
Bill

Re: bolt size for 50 convertible front fenders
 

If you buy the Original Ford 49-51 parts manual it has all the part#s pictures and bolt sizes,

Re: bolt size for 50 convertible front fenders
 

In 1959, I took the right front fender off of my '51 Fordor just to see if I could. As I remember, all of the bolts were 5/16" fine thread.

Re: bolt size for 50 convertible front fenders
 

My Parts Catalog doesn't show those screws and J clips. I bought mine from Third Gen Automotive, https://thirdgenauto.com/ford-bolts/ Open the link for the Late Ford V-8 Hardware offerings and on Page 5 see # J-94-13. Picture is attached.

Re: bolt size for 50 convertible front fenders
 

Re: bolt size for 50 convertible front fenders
 

Wow. You guys are awesome.

I had looked in the body section of the 49-51 shop manual (pages 204-266) and didn't find it. I didn't realize there is a separate parts manual available. That sounds like a very handy thing to have.

I will definitely check out the thirdgenauto.com website.

Thank you!

Re: bolt size for 50 convertible front fenders
 

Many years ago i bought a book titled 1953 FORD passenger car chassis parts and accessories catalog. It also covers 1949,50,51,52 cars. It shows diagrams of how parts are put together and also part numbers, sizes of fasteners . It has helped me a lot in working on my 49 car. I found this book at a swap meet and have not seen it listed anywhere else. You might find one on E-bay.