Go Back   The Ford Barn > General Discussion > Model A (1928-31)

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
Old 04-12-2020, 01:43 PM   #1
Twocollies
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Jul 2017
Posts: 25
Question Tread chaser or thread size

I'm looking for a thread chaser for the cam shaft end, or can some one tell me what the tread size is. The end was clinched when the original camshaft nut was peened with a chisel. I don't want to force the new cam nut over the damaged threads.
Twocollies is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-12-2020, 02:42 PM   #2
1crosscut
Senior Member
 
1crosscut's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: Lincoln, Nebraska
Posts: 1,905
Default Re: Tread chaser or thread size

If it is just the threads at the end get a small triangle shaped file and chase the thread from just below the damaged area and work your way out towards the end.
__________________
Dave / Lincoln Nebraska
1crosscut is offline   Reply With Quote
Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)
Old 04-12-2020, 07:49 PM   #3
abachman3
Senior Member
 
abachman3's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: Western Springs, IL
Posts: 323
Default Re: Tread chaser or thread size

Re-threader files are available and come with numerous thread counts and pitches. This could be a place where you could use one.
abachman3 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-12-2020, 07:52 PM   #4
Y-Blockhead
Senior Member
 
Y-Blockhead's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: Redondo Beach, CA
Posts: 5,817
Default Re: Tread chaser or thread size

Or you could use an actual thread file. https://www.amazon.com/General-Tools...738955&sr=8-10

Sorry I don't know what the cam thread pitch is.
Y-Blockhead is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-12-2020, 08:03 PM   #5
Y-Blockhead
Senior Member
 
Y-Blockhead's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: Redondo Beach, CA
Posts: 5,817
Default Re: Tread chaser or thread size

abachman3 has faster fingers...
Y-Blockhead is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-13-2020, 11:18 AM   #6
Jim Brierley
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: Temecula, CA
Posts: 4,066
Default Re: Tread chaser or thread size

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)
You can make a chaser by making 3 or 4 cuts in the threads of an old nut with a hacksaw. All cams and/or nuts aren't exactly the same. I use 1 nut as a starting chaser and a different nut for the final, if needed. Find the ones needed by trial and error.
Jim Brierley is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-13-2020, 11:30 AM   #7
The Master Cylinder
Senior Member
 
The Master Cylinder's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2012
Posts: 875
Default Re: Tread chaser or thread size

Quote:
Originally Posted by Jim Brierley View Post
You can make a chaser by making 3 or 4 cuts in the threads of an old nut with a hacksaw. All cams and/or nuts aren't exactly the same. I use 1 nut as a starting chaser and a different nut for the final, if needed. Find the ones needed by trial and error.
Haha, Easy for you to say. Not everyone has a box full of cam nuts.
__________________
The Master Cylinder

Enjoying life at the beach in SoCal...
The Master Cylinder is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-13-2020, 04:50 PM   #8
Joe K
Senior Member
 
Joe K's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: Cow Hampshire
Posts: 4,175
Default Re: Tread chaser or thread size

Quote:
Originally Posted by The Master Cylinder View Post
Haha, Easy for you to say. Not everyone has a box full of cam nuts.
But everyone who is replacing the cam nut has at least one.

Interesting anomaly. You buy the new nut AND you buy the wrench from one of the mainline suppliers. Both from one house.

The wrench doesn't fit the nut.

I took the nut as being made to a Ford drawing, and modified the wrench with a file.

This something I could see happening. The wrench is TOTALLY aftermarket. Somebody has a wrench design, makes them for fun and profit, and may have a manufacturing issue develop unbeknownst. Rinse & repeat. It happens all the time in business, especially when quality is not formally controlled.

BUT - You would think that someone would be curious enough to at least TRY the two components together - lest there be some issue that gets returned?

Most buyers probably don't have a drawer full of files, and may not have the skill to use them properly.

Joe K
__________________
Shudda kept the horse.
Joe K is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-13-2020, 05:38 PM   #9
The Master Cylinder
Senior Member
 
The Master Cylinder's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2012
Posts: 875
Default Re: Tread chaser or thread size

Quote:
Originally Posted by Joe K View Post
But everyone who is replacing the cam nut has at least one.

Interesting anomaly. You buy the new nut AND you buy the wrench from one of the mainline suppliers. Both from one house.

The wrench doesn't fit the nut.

I took the nut as being made to a Ford drawing, and modified the wrench with a file.

This something I could see happening. The wrench is TOTALLY aftermarket. Somebody has a wrench design, makes them for fun and profit, and may have a manufacturing issue develop unbeknownst. Rinse & repeat. It happens all the time in business, especially when quality is not formally controlled.

BUT - You would think that someone would be curious enough to at least TRY the two components together - lest there be some issue that gets returned?

Most buyers probably don't have a drawer full of files, and may not have the skill to use them properly.

Joe K
I'm thinking you need more than one for a "trial and error" fit, no?

I just buy the "modern" style cam nuts and use a 1½" socket on it and call it a day.
__________________
The Master Cylinder

Enjoying life at the beach in SoCal...
The Master Cylinder is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-13-2020, 05:48 PM   #10
noboD
Senior Member
 
Join Date: May 2010
Posts: 313
Default Re: Tread chaser or thread size

A set of thread files should be in ever tool box.
noboD is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-13-2020, 06:07 PM   #11
Dave in MD
Senior Member
 
Join Date: May 2010
Posts: 175
Default Re: Tread chaser or thread size

These threads are 16 threads per inch. Snap On makes a very nice thread chasing kit that has thread files for the various pitch of threads.
Dave
Dave in MD is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-14-2020, 10:08 AM   #12
rotorwrench
Senior Member
 
rotorwrench's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: San Antonio, Texas
Posts: 16,371
Default Re: Tread chaser or thread size

Most chasers have four pitch sets on each end for a total of eight different pitches. They are handy to have for both Unified and Metric. I have those and British Standard and Association. When you repair and restore things, you can never have too many tools.
rotorwrench is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-14-2020, 10:26 AM   #13
The Master Cylinder
Senior Member
 
The Master Cylinder's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2012
Posts: 875
Default Re: Tread chaser or thread size

Quote:
Originally Posted by rotorwrench View Post
When you repair and restore things, you can never have too many tools.
Isn't that one of the reasons for having a Model A? Another reason to buy more tools?
__________________
The Master Cylinder

Enjoying life at the beach in SoCal...
The Master Cylinder is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-14-2020, 04:50 PM   #14
supergnat
Senior Member
 
supergnat's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Palmyra, NJ
Posts: 475
Default Re: Tread chaser or thread size

Here is a good source for two piece thread chasers. They sell them individually or in sets. Great company to deal with. Supergnat
supergnat is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-15-2020, 05:46 AM   #15
Bruce of MN
Senior Member
 
Bruce of MN's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: VA
Posts: 1,395
Default Re: Tread chaser or thread size

Quote:
Originally Posted by supergnat View Post
Here is a good source for two piece thread chasers. They sell them individually or in sets. Great company to deal with. Supergnat
Can you give more details on this company? Googlizing doesn't work.
Bruce of MN is online now   Reply With Quote
Old 04-15-2020, 08:04 AM   #16
supergnat
Senior Member
 
supergnat's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Palmyra, NJ
Posts: 475
Default Re: Tread chaser or thread size

No sure why the link I sent disappeared. The company is JME Supply LLC located in Ohio. It is a small veteran (John) run business that specializes in rethreading dies It was recommended to me by someone at the Thread Tool Supply Company in Wisconsin since they did not have the size I needed (5/8-18). You should be able to Google either of them to get information.
supergnat is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-15-2020, 08:39 AM   #17
Bob Bidonde
Senior Member
 
Bob Bidonde's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Long Island, NY
Posts: 3,432
Default Re: Tread chaser or thread size

The thread on the camshaft is special for an interference fit of the nut. Commercial thread chasers will ruin it. Use Jim Brierly's suggestion of a thread file to fix it.


As for the availability of a camshaft nut, one should look at a parts catalog. Bratton's has the nut for less than $6. In addition, engine re-builders are a likely source for a used nut suitable to make the tool Jim suggests.
__________________
Bob Bidonde

Last edited by Bob Bidonde; 04-15-2020 at 08:55 AM.
Bob Bidonde is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-15-2020, 09:22 AM   #18
Y-Blockhead
Senior Member
 
Y-Blockhead's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: Redondo Beach, CA
Posts: 5,817
Default Re: Tread chaser or thread size

During this time of "stat at Home", I have been re-reading some of my Model "A" News and Restorer magazines before I start the day.

Low and behold, this morning while reading the Tech Q & A section of the Model "A" News there was a mention of the cam threads.(pg 7).

It states they are 1-16 U.S.F. Milled Thread. It also says that U.S.F. later became U.S.S. or fine threads today. This info from the Benson Ford Library.
Y-Blockhead is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-15-2020, 11:41 AM   #19
Jim Brierley
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: Temecula, CA
Posts: 4,066
Default Re: Tread chaser or thread size

I do happen to have a few extra nuts, I'll sell them cheaply, but you must order a dozen! -
Jim Brierley is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-15-2020, 06:18 PM   #20
rotorwrench
Senior Member
 
rotorwrench's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: San Antonio, Texas
Posts: 16,371
Default Re: Tread chaser or thread size

Screw threads have evolved a lot over the years. Unified National Course and Fine are pretty well know but there is also a Unified National Special or UNS thread pitch specification that has stumped more than a few old prewar Harley Davidson enthusiasts. The special pitches they used were half way between UNC and UNF threads. I guess they wanted the exclusive rights to the HD hardware. Finding the taps & dies for these is difficult but not impossible. I have the most common sizes. Another odd one was the British Standard Cycle thread. No matter how big the bolt shank is, they all had 26-TPI threads.
rotorwrench is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off

Forum Jump

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)


All times are GMT -5. The time now is 06:08 AM.