Screws, Nuts and Bolts...Size Matters ?

[F14JetJock]

I've been changing out some of the screws and other fasteners on my car ( the fellow that owned the car before me, thought that if the hole was filled, it was good enough and even if the hole wasn't filled, that was OK too.). I've found metric hex head screws, screws holding the side pipe covers on that were just screwed through fiberglass and about 2 inches too long, bolts where screws should be and duct tape to hold parts together. Basically, anything and everything....except chewing gum and bailing wire.
Right now it is trial and error trying to swap out the fasteners with the correct screw / bolt. I have a copy of the "Corvette Assembly Manual" and it identifies the part as a "screw" or "bolt" along with it's part number.
Is there a source to decode the part number, referenced in the Assembly Manual, into the size the screw or bolt should be? ........ Sure would make the job easier than using Kentucky Windage.
Thanks

 

[craig32]

Check the exhaust system, that's where you'll find the bailing wire. Some companies make 'interior screw kits' I don't know if they make them for other areas or not. Makes you wonder, doesn't it? I got the window sticker for my car - $19,000 in 1981 - (by contrast my 2002 Monte Carlo was $21,000) how did something that cost so much get in such sorry condition? She has a good home now, and is getting the new parts to make it nice again. Hopefully. Good luck with your project.
Craig

 

[F14JetJock]

I got so frustrated trying to get the correct fasteners, I bought the interior screw set. I thought it might be more rational (and a lot less expensive) to be able to have a list or table that translated GM part #s into screw and bolt sizes.

 

[JohnZ]

The only such reference is the GM Standard Parts Book, but it's strictly an internal document and has never been published outside of GM; the best reference is known-original cars, and suppliers like Paragon.

 

[George Black]

JohnZ is correct--as ususal. (1) I get the bolt or screw part number from the AIM, (2) then go to the GM parts book (e bay purchase) and get the specs for that specific part number, i.e. exact size of the bolt or screw, (3) then I go to Lowes and purchase it.

Yes, some complete bolt and screw kits are available from vendors. Examples are the interior screw kits, rear bumper bolt kits, etc.

 

[jdcrvt77]

Hi guys. I was able to locate an entire microfiche of Corvette parts covering years 63-82 on the Corvette Forum FAQ. From that I was able to printout the appropriate pages. I think that the microfiche is available on CD. You might try a Google search. JD

 

[F14JetJock]

I'm just a little bit confused...OK, more than a little bit.

In my original post, I was looking for cross reference sizes for known screw / bolt part numbers, as contained in the Corvette Assembly Manual.

JohnZ said " The only such reference is the GM Standard Parts Book, but it's strictly an internal document and has never been published outside of GM".

George Black posted "(1) I get the bolt or screw part number from the AIM, (2) then go to the GM parts book (e bay purchase) and get the specs for that specific part number, i.e. exact size of the bolt or screw, (3) then I go to Lowes and purchase it."

George is doing what I had hoped to do...get the part number and then get the specs for that specific part number....

(1) What is the AIM ? Does it have the same part number designations, as contained in the "Corvette Assembly Manual? It seems to me that a part # is a part#, no matter what GM document it is referenced in.
(2) What is the GM parts book? Is it similar to the "GM Standard Parts Book" referenced by JohnZ? According to George Black, it will give you specs for the parts.....
(3) What is the meaning of life? .... Sorry, in my confused state, I'll hold off on this question for another post.

Thanks all ! :confused
Bill

 

[George Black]

Bill: Hope my e mail to you cleared everthing up!--George

 

[like2drive]

I sold OEM fasteners for a number of years to textile/furniture/electronic industries. It is the most overlooked & underrated part in any factory (except Japan) that I know of. I noticed at Carlisle last September many small vendors with packaged fasteners for specific applications, but none were "big-time" like Vips, Ecklers, Corvette Central, etc. As far as transposing GM data, good luck. What about getting to know someone with a similar Vette but with correct fasteners? Measure, catelogue, & go purchase. Use Grade 8 for strength, Stainless for looks(a weak alloy), zinc plated grade 2's for maintainence items such as door interiors, some engine compartment. You have the option to do BETTER than original with stronger grades, phillips, torx, 12 point, Allen, better washers such as internal or external stars, "hardened" (usually thicker) flat washers (at motor mount for instance), grade 8 over grade 5, grade 5 over grade 2 hex heads. Good Luck, Bill
Incidentially, you wanna know a major reason the Honda cycles were so acceptable in the '60s? They used better, readily available fasteners! Anyone who's ever owned a Harley in that time frame knows that for every 100 miles riding, you had to spend 30 minutes tightening up everything!

 

[red70vette]

I was able to obtain a laminated sheet from Paragon that has a picture and description of most if not all the bolts used on 68-82 Corvettes. I picked this up at Carlisle as they where giving them away. You may want to call them at 800-882-4688 and see if it is still available.

It is a great tool as it lists the type of bolt, grade, size, color etc and shows the head marks. Good luck!