Clam Shell Tightening?

[jkflathead]

1939 Ford. Body is currently off the frame. There is not enough room to get a wrench or socket on to the 11/16 nut at the bottom of each side of the lower half of the clam shell. I am about to make a tool. Was there a special, thin wrench? Thanks. JK

[DavidG]

The original nuts used for that purpose were not 11/16 in width, but rather 5/8". Even then it can be a tight fit with a socket depending on how much wall thickness your sockets have. My experience is that a 3/8" six-point socket rather than a 1/2" twelve-point socket works best for this purpose.

Finding 7/16" nuts that are only 5/8" wide can be a bit of challenge.

[Bolts]

If I understand the problem, the solution is to use a long extension and get it by going in straight through the cross in the frame. Hope I described it well enough for you to understand. Find a straight line and go in with a LONG extension about 18 inches or so.

[19Fordy]

You can also use open open end wrenches aftering "customizing" them
on a grinding wheel.

[RalphM]

I used a socket, but had to grind the wall thickness down quite a bit. Even then, as said, it's a pain.

[jkflathead]

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Thanks for the tips. I can't get a socket in there because there is not enough room between the nut and the clam shell. I guess that I will chisel down an 11/16 open end wrench on the grinder. Looked for thin walled nuts but without luck. I wonder if KR Wilson made something back in the day. Thanks for your help. JK

[DavidG]

I believe that Roy Nacewicz has 5/8" wide 7/16-20 nuts.

[jkflathead]

I just spoke with Roy. He is out of them and is not planning to make any more.

[DavidG]

Ouch!

[svm99]

Originally Posted by jkflathead

I just spoke with Roy. He is out of them and is not planning to make any more.

Yes, the last 7/16"-20 hex nuts I bought from Roy were 11/16" hex, he's not selling the 5/8" hex size anymore so we'll all be on the hunt.
Paul

[qmdv]

Why not use 12 point nuts like these http://www.jegs.com/i/ARP/070/301-83...MaAsUzEALw_wcB

Not stock but either are hex nuts 11/16 across the face

Tim

[swanwaco32]

Aircraft castle nuts. Try Aircraft Spruce for a supplier.

[edhd58]

What's the lengt I may have extra

[TagMan]

If you have access to a lathe, get a piece of 5/8" hex stock and make your own. Pretty easy to do.

[qmdv]

Originally Posted by TagMan

If you have access to a lathe, get a piece of 5/8" hex stock and make your own. Pretty easy to do.

And if you h ave a mill you can machine down 11/16 to 5/8

[jkflathead]

I don't have a lathe or a milling machine. I am going to turn down a 12 point socket and see if I can get it to fit. The Jegs nuts would work. I might try to find them locally. The size of the nuts are 17-20 with a 5/8" wrench size. Thanks

[JSeery]

Think I would try the 12-point ARP nuts.

[jkflathead]

A friend from the Early Ford V-8 Foundation Museum had four original nuts that he passed on to me. Thanks for all of your help. I'll be back!
Gotta get this '35 finished.

John

[JM 35 Sedan]

Originally Posted by jkflathead

A friend from the Early Ford V-8 Foundation Museum had four original nuts that he passed on to me. Thanks for all of your help. I'll be back!
Gotta get this '35 finished.

John

John, you said you were working on a '39 in post #1. Did you change projects on us?

[Pete F]

ARP has washernuts with 12 point heads that fit a 1/2 socket


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