The Ford Barn

oldandtired · 08-02-2019, 05:06 AM

Tinker...I am not familiar with what the 38/9 pickup beds used. What length bolts are you seeking and how many do you need?

32Bee · 08-02-2019, 05:18 AM

What a person can't find at any local hardware store are thick head bolts or odd lengths
such as 7/16", 5/8" or 1 1/8",or 1 3/4" long. Can't tell you how many trips I've made to
the local Ace Hardware looking for something like that or a screw or screws with slotted
not Phillips heads.

marko39 · 08-02-2019, 05:20 AM

Along with the fine thread are the special thick head bolts Ford used . Mark

rockfla · 08-02-2019, 07:24 AM

As a "Specialty Fastener house/supplier" (been in business since 1950).....A lot of the wholesale suppliers, obviously, do not have the "demand" for "some" of the screw and bolt sizes/lengths that Ford used back in the day (and there is still a big difference between Automotive & Industrial fasteners in form, even though the threads match). There are still a fairly good selection of "said" needs through "some" suppliers like me BUT they still need "modifications" to be "more" authentic i.e most commonly grade marks and/or mill stamps (and why I have a lathe to face the marks off the heads of bolts). "Thick Head" bolts are non existent in the "industrial/commercial" market, even through a few of my more "specialty" suppliers. Even today, for suppliers like me, #12 diameter both in tapping screws and in machine screw threads are a "very" limited selection from a supply stand point!!! As a long time supplier. I was amazed that Roy Nacewicz was able to provide the selection he did, given the relative "demand" in the V8 world. More fuel to the "Big loss" fire when Roy passed!!!!

Tim Ayers · 08-02-2019, 09:01 AM

This is an interesting discussion. Every time I take apart something old Ford that I'm parting out, I save the bolts or look in $1.00 piles at swaps for Ford bolts. I throw them into a 5 gallon bucket. Once it gets full, I take it to an industrial plating near me. The clean them and "replate" in black zinc. Cost around $75-$100 for them to do it.

I have storage boxes with all of the cleaned & refreshed Ford bolts ready to go.

DavidG · 08-02-2019, 09:59 AM

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

51 MERC-CT,

The #12 screws shown in your post may serve your purposes, but for some of us the head configuration (quasi-slotted/Phillips) is unacceptable as such a configuration did not exist at the time our cars were produced. I am also reasonably confident that no chain hardware store carries #12 binding head or pan head screws, let alone some with nickel or cadmium plating. And as Peter points out, there's the issue of length as Ford used lots of 5/16, 7/16, 9/16, 5/8, 11/16, 13/16, 7/8, and 15/16 inch screws and bolts.

I do recognize that I have OCD tendencies when it comes to details such as the fasteners, but I am not alone in that regard in this hobby.

Bob C · 08-02-2019, 10:19 AM

Caterpillar bolts are thick head and come in almost any length.
https://parts.cat.com/en/catcorp/bol...tId:undefined&

rockfla · 08-02-2019, 12:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bob C

Caterpillar bolts are thick head and come in almost any length.
https://parts.cat.com/en/catcorp/bol...tId:undefined&

And Caterpillar charges "thick head" prices on their bolts, to in some cases "criminal" prices...believe me I know as several of my customers have told and shown us!!!!

Kube · 08-02-2019, 01:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DavidG

51 MERC-CT,

The #12 screws shown in your post may serve your purposes, but for some of us the head configuration (quasi-slotted/Phillips) is unacceptable as such a configuration did not exist at the time our cars were produced. I am also reasonably confident that no chain hardware store carries #12 binding head or pan head screws, let alone some with nickel or cadmium plating. And as Peter points out, there's the issue of length as Ford used lots of 5/16, 7/16, 9/16, 5/8, 11/16, 13/16, 7/8, and 15/16 inch screws and bolts.

I do recognize that I have OCD tendencies when it comes to details such as the fasteners, but I am not alone in that regard in this hobby.

OCD? You?
Not alone? Well, there's you and there's me. That's two...

frnkeore · 08-02-2019, 02:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rockfla

And Caterpillar charges "thick head" prices on their bolts, to in some cases "criminal" prices...believe me I know as several of my customers have told and shown us!!!!

I worked at Peterson Machinery, the Cat dealer, in my area, for 2 years and yes the prices are "not economical" but, you also get the Cat logo on many of them

I collect tractors and (6 out of 10 are Fords) and they used the large headed bolts, too (1/2", 7/8 hex, 5/8", 1 1/16 hex). I've looked all over for them, too and can't find them. So, I've just gone to using modern, grade 8 bolts, with SAE washers, for everything. The tractors don't seem to mind

Frank

estout81 · 08-02-2019, 02:55 PM

Blessings be to those with OCD. Without them the rest of us have nothing to strive for. I mean that in a good way.

tubman · 08-02-2019, 02:58 PM

It's a common disease; all members of the "NCRS" have it worse than you guys (or do you judge wheel weights and valve stem caps too?)

V8COOPMAN · 08-02-2019, 06:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kube

OCD? You?
Not alone? Well, there's you and there's me. That's two...

...and ME makes three! DD

V8COOPMAN · 08-02-2019, 06:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tubman

It's a common disease; all members of the "NCRS" have it worse than you guys (or do you judge wheel weights and valve stem caps too?)

True scoop...I'm a former NCRS and Bloomington Gold type. DD

rotorwrench · 08-02-2019, 06:39 PM

I'm just glad my old Clausing 12" lathe will cut imperial thread sizes. There is lot of stuff that getting harder to source. With Roy gone now it may be even more difficult. Ford had odd ball head sizes with some bolts. They liked larger hex heads on some. At least most of there stuff was either national fine or national course. There used to be a national standard size that was in between. Harley Davidson loved that stuff on there old bikes before and just aft the war. That way you had to buy the stuff from them.

08-02-2019, 05:06 AM	#21
oldandtired Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Edgefield, SC Posts: 810	Re: Nut and bolt gauge for Early Ford Tinker...I am not familiar with what the 38/9 pickup beds used. What length bolts are you seeking and how many do you need?

08-02-2019, 05:18 AM	#22
32Bee Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Stratham, NH Posts: 233	Re: Nut and bolt gauge for Early Ford What a person can't find at any local hardware store are thick head bolts or odd lengths such as 7/16", 5/8" or 1 1/8",or 1 3/4" long. Can't tell you how many trips I've made to the local Ace Hardware looking for something like that or a screw or screws with slotted not Phillips heads.

08-02-2019, 05:20 AM	#23
marko39 Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2016 Location: harpursville ny Posts: 1,040	Re: Nut and bolt gauge for Early Ford Along with the fine thread are the special thick head bolts Ford used . Mark

08-02-2019, 07:24 AM	#24
rockfla Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: Jacksonville FL Posts: 3,946	Re: Nut and bolt gauge for Early Ford As a "Specialty Fastener house/supplier" (been in business since 1950).....A lot of the wholesale suppliers, obviously, do not have the "demand" for "some" of the screw and bolt sizes/lengths that Ford used back in the day (and there is still a big difference between Automotive & Industrial fasteners in form, even though the threads match). There are still a fairly good selection of "said" needs through "some" suppliers like me BUT they still need "modifications" to be "more" authentic i.e most commonly grade marks and/or mill stamps (and why I have a lathe to face the marks off the heads of bolts). "Thick Head" bolts are non existent in the "industrial/commercial" market, even through a few of my more "specialty" suppliers. Even today, for suppliers like me, #12 diameter both in tapping screws and in machine screw threads are a "very" limited selection from a supply stand point!!! As a long time supplier. I was amazed that Roy Nacewicz was able to provide the selection he did, given the relative "demand" in the V8 world. More fuel to the "Big loss" fire when Roy passed!!!!

08-02-2019, 09:01 AM	#25
Tim Ayers Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: NJ Posts: 6,177	Re: Nut and bolt gauge for Early Ford This is an interesting discussion. Every time I take apart something old Ford that I'm parting out, I save the bolts or look in $1.00 piles at swaps for Ford bolts. I throw them into a 5 gallon bucket. Once it gets full, I take it to an industrial plating near me. The clean them and "replate" in black zinc. Cost around $75-$100 for them to do it. I have storage boxes with all of the cleaned & refreshed Ford bolts ready to go.

08-02-2019, 09:59 AM	#26
DavidG Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: southeastern Michigan Posts: 10,094	Re: Nut and bolt gauge for Early Ford Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) 51 MERC-CT, The #12 screws shown in your post may serve your purposes, but for some of us the head configuration (quasi-slotted/Phillips) is unacceptable as such a configuration did not exist at the time our cars were produced. I am also reasonably confident that no chain hardware store carries #12 binding head or pan head screws, let alone some with nickel or cadmium plating. And as Peter points out, there's the issue of length as Ford used lots of 5/16, 7/16, 9/16, 5/8, 11/16, 13/16, 7/8, and 15/16 inch screws and bolts. I do recognize that I have OCD tendencies when it comes to details such as the fasteners, but I am not alone in that regard in this hobby.

08-02-2019, 10:19 AM	#27
Bob C Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: So Cal Posts: 8,741	Re: Nut and bolt gauge for Early Ford Caterpillar bolts are thick head and come in almost any length. https://parts.cat.com/en/catcorp/bol...tId:undefined&

08-02-2019, 02:55 PM	#31
estout81 BANNED Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Utica, Ohio Posts: 522	Re: Nut and bolt gauge for Early Ford Blessings be to those with OCD. Without them the rest of us have nothing to strive for. I mean that in a good way.

08-02-2019, 02:58 PM	#32
tubman Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: Minnesota, Florida Keys Posts: 10,303	Re: Nut and bolt gauge for Early Ford It's a common disease; all members of the "NCRS" have it worse than you guys (or do you judge wheel weights and valve stem caps too?)

08-02-2019, 06:39 PM	#35
rotorwrench Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: San Antonio, Texas Posts: 16,422	Re: Nut and bolt gauge for Early Ford I'm just glad my old Clausing 12" lathe will cut imperial thread sizes. There is lot of stuff that getting harder to source. With Roy gone now it may be even more difficult. Ford had odd ball head sizes with some bolts. They liked larger hex heads on some. At least most of there stuff was either national fine or national course. There used to be a national standard size that was in between. Harley Davidson loved that stuff on there old bikes before and just aft the war. That way you had to buy the stuff from them.