Radius Rod Ball Cap Bolts

[California Charlie]

Is there a difference in the Radius Rod Ball Cap Bolts? The new bolt set that I have allows the bolts to sink too deep into the bottom of the Bell Housing. The cross shaft that keeps the bolts from turning isn't captured by the groove in the head of the bolt. The bolts are too low.


Do I have an older generation Bell Housing or is my problem with the new bolts that don't appear to fit? Is there a remedy for this?

[Tom Wesenberg]

The pockets for the bolts often get worn, which lets the bolts drop down too far. I make small diameter spacers as needed to lift the bolts to the correct height.

[J Franklin]

How do the old and new compare side by side? Most often the housing wears deeper over the years. You can take up wear by adding washers under the bolt heads. Find washers with a small OD or modify so they fit in the recess.

Tom you beat me!!

[Bob C]

See the link for a repair procedure. https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/showthread.php?t=224538


Bob

[TerryO]

I bought a small coil spring at Ace and cut round washers from it. Works very well and not my idea, I think it was in one of the Model A magazines.

TerryO

[Marshall V. Daut]

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Which radius rod ball mounting kit did you buy - the original style or the vastly inferior one with the rubber ball? No need in going through AGAIN why the rubber ball mounting is a bad idea for Model A's (if I've replaced one of those, I've replaced 50 of them!), but if that is the kit you bought, then yes - those bolts are then too long in MOST cases where this design surfaces. They have to be a little longer than the stock design because the two cast iron halves are thicker to compensate for the rubber ball inside. I have seen this many times with this rubber ball design, but surprising sometimes not. There must have been more than one aftermarket manufacturer of this mounting design, each with its own length bolts. If you try to install the correct original design retaining the bolts from the rubber ball design, the bolts will be too long in most cases (once again depending upon manufacturer).
The guys are right about the holes being allowed deeper from looseness over the years. A very common problem with our Model A's. That may or may not be the problem here. If you are installing the original design WITHOUT that %#%^&* soon-to-be-oiled-soaked rubber ball and the new bolts are too long, then the holes are too deep and must be shimmed up beneath the bolt heads, as the previous posters have recommended. Believe it or not, those bolts CAN be changed with the bellhousing still in the car! It's tricky and you need long, thin fingers, but it can be done, especially if you run very thin fish line or sewing thread through the cotter pin holes in the bolts as safety measure in case the bolts drop inside the bellhousing. They can be retrieved by pulling the string. Same thing when installing the new bolts. Long needle nose pliers bent at the tips and also be used to good effect.
Marshall

[BILL WILLIAMSON]

It's sorta' like OUR BODIES, they go in to fix something & find something else WORN OUT!!
I sport a 14" pin in my lower leg & 2 LOOONG Stainless SCREWS!
Bill Patchedup