The Ford Barn

Ford_Freddie · 02-23-2016, 02:39 PM

When there is no clamp for the distributor pop out cable on #8 head bolt, I have to add a spacer of the same thickness. That's what Tom Endy describes in his fantastic article "Henry's Way". My car has no clamp and no spacer. Could someone please tell me the right thickness. Is it recommendable to unbolt all head bolts and install a spacer? Thank you in advance.

Farrell In Vancouver · 02-23-2016, 02:52 PM

A couple washers might do it, you just need enough to ensure the stud nut is not going to bottom out on the threads available. If you have plenty of threads showing, just run the nut down and torque it to match the rest.

Bob-A · 02-23-2016, 03:02 PM

How far down do the threads on the stud go? The spacer only has to be a couple of threads above where the threads end. I measured the clamp on my '29 roadster which is running a restored original pop-out switch. It is 7/16ths of an inch, approx. 11.11 mm. I beleive it is the thickest clamp used on "A's". Not knowing what exactly your head and head nuts/studs
are. I would say you do "not" need to do any of the other head nuts. I hope this helps.

Bob-A

Tom Endy · 02-23-2016, 04:26 PM

I had a fellow club member with a lathe make me several spacers. I asked him to make them 1\4" thick, which is about the nominal thickness of the two legs of the clamp that was removed. They worked well.

Another approach is to replace the #8 stud with a standard length stud as used in the other positions.

Tom Endy

James Rogers · 02-23-2016, 05:37 PM

I don't see where this stud could pose a problem. I have sent probably over a hundred motors out without anything under the #8 nut. I never use anything but the studs that come in the sets and even with the long stud, have never had a problem getting the correct torque on that stud. I have had customers ask why that stud is longer since many don't even know what it is for. Many think the stud is just not run down enough and worry the threads are not clean.

As said before "much to do about nothing".

Mitch//pa · 02-23-2016, 06:04 PM

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Agree with James. You can torque the nut without a spacer as there are enough threads

Fred K-OR · 02-23-2016, 08:29 PM

If you take the nut off for any reason to put something under it, make sure you drain you coolant before you take the nut loose. Don't ask me how I know this!

Mitch//pa · 02-23-2016, 08:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fred K-OR

If you take the nut off for any reason to put something under it, make sure you drain you coolant before you take the nut loose. Don't ask me how I know this!

Don't ask me either

Ford_Freddie · 02-24-2016, 02:15 AM

Thank you very much for all the answers.

James Rogers · 02-24-2016, 06:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fred K-OR

If you take the nut off for any reason to put something under it, make sure you drain you coolant before you take the nut loose. Don't ask me how I know this!

Been there, done that.

Bob-A · 02-24-2016, 07:38 AM

I've done it twice without a coolant leak.

I've got my fingers crossed for the up coming third time....

Bob-A

02-23-2016, 02:39 PM	#1
Ford_Freddie Member Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: Rosenheim/Germany Posts: 39	Thickness of the spacer under #8 head bolt When there is no clamp for the distributor pop out cable on #8 head bolt, I have to add a spacer of the same thickness. That's what Tom Endy describes in his fantastic article "Henry's Way". My car has no clamp and no spacer. Could someone please tell me the right thickness. Is it recommendable to unbolt all head bolts and install a spacer? Thank you in advance.

02-23-2016, 02:52 PM	#2
Farrell In Vancouver Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Pitt Meadows BC Posts: 1,003	Re: Thickness of the spacer under #8 head bolt A couple washers might do it, you just need enough to ensure the stud nut is not going to bottom out on the threads available. If you have plenty of threads showing, just run the nut down and torque it to match the rest.

02-23-2016, 03:02 PM	#3
Bob-A Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Central FL, USA Posts: 1,138	Re: Thickness of the spacer under #8 head bolt How far down do the threads on the stud go? The spacer only has to be a couple of threads above where the threads end. I measured the clamp on my '29 roadster which is running a restored original pop-out switch. It is 7/16ths of an inch, approx. 11.11 mm. I beleive it is the thickest clamp used on "A's". Not knowing what exactly your head and head nuts/studs are. I would say you do "not" need to do any of the other head nuts. I hope this helps. Bob-A

02-23-2016, 04:26 PM	#4
Tom Endy Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Southern California Posts: 3,131	Re: Thickness of the spacer under #8 head bolt I had a fellow club member with a lathe make me several spacers. I asked him to make them 1\4" thick, which is about the nominal thickness of the two legs of the clamp that was removed. They worked well. Another approach is to replace the #8 stud with a standard length stud as used in the other positions. Tom Endy

02-23-2016, 05:37 PM	#5
James Rogers Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Asheville,NC Posts: 3,104	Re: Thickness of the spacer under #8 head bolt I don't see where this stud could pose a problem. I have sent probably over a hundred motors out without anything under the #8 nut. I never use anything but the studs that come in the sets and even with the long stud, have never had a problem getting the correct torque on that stud. I have had customers ask why that stud is longer since many don't even know what it is for. Many think the stud is just not run down enough and worry the threads are not clean. As said before "much to do about nothing". __________________ http://www.model-a-ford-4bangers.com/

02-23-2016, 06:04 PM	#6
Mitch//pa BANNED Join Date: May 2010 Location: Bucks County, PA Posts: 11,454	Re: Thickness of the spacer under #8 head bolt Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) Agree with James. You can torque the nut without a spacer as there are enough threads

02-23-2016, 08:29 PM	#7
Fred K-OR Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Stayton, Oregon Posts: 3,806	Re: Thickness of the spacer under #8 head bolt If you take the nut off for any reason to put something under it, make sure you drain you coolant before you take the nut loose. Don't ask me how I know this! __________________ Fred Kroon 1929 Std Coupe 1929 Huckster

02-24-2016, 02:15 AM	#9
Ford_Freddie Member Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: Rosenheim/Germany Posts: 39	Re: Thickness of the spacer under #8 head bolt Thank you very much for all the answers.

02-24-2016, 07:38 AM	#11
Bob-A Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Central FL, USA Posts: 1,138	Re: Thickness of the spacer under #8 head bolt I've done it twice without a coolant leak. I've got my fingers crossed for the up coming third time.... Bob-A