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Labor Day Putting down your wrenches or time for
MORE wrenching? 
Plenty of places to share. | | Click on image for the lowdown. 
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Mod | | | Forums66 Topics128,009 Posts1,055,293 Members48,419 | | Most Online14,466
Apr 26th, 2026 | | AD Chevy Trucks  Over 6,000 pictures Brad Allen has an awesome collection of Chevrolet factory pictures that he has set up from film strips. Check them out!
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| | | | Joined: Jan 2000 Posts: 206 Member | | Member Joined: Jan 2000 Posts: 206 | I need to know the fastener size of the "clutch head" screws used on the '51 AD bed to mount the fenders. Are any body washers used? My old bed has a combination of mismatched fasteners in this area. | | | | | Joined: Dec 2001 Posts: 1,745 Member | | Member Joined: Dec 2001 Posts: 1,745 | Chevy Duty sells the proper bolts for about 49c each. I believe you need 18, so 9 bucks for original looking bolts.
54 3100 with 235
62 flatbed dump C60 with 261
| | | | | Joined: Jan 2000 Posts: 206 Member | | Member Joined: Jan 2000 Posts: 206 | Thanks but I don't want to use the original clutch heads. I need to know the exact diameter and length of the original bolts, so I can replace them with button head stainless allen screws. | | | | | Joined: May 2000 Posts: 69 Wrench Fetcher | | Wrench Fetcher Joined: May 2000 Posts: 69 | 5/16" X 3/4", Stainless steel. No washers on the inside of the bed, Use fender washers on the fender side, then a lock washer and the nut. | | | | | Joined: Jan 2001 Posts: 46 Wrench Fetcher | | Wrench Fetcher Joined: Jan 2001 Posts: 46 | Silly question time: Why are these bolts called "clutch head"? They look like large Philips head bolts on my '51 and are a [censored] to remove. What's the trick? | | | | | | Anonymous Unregistered | | Anonymous Unregistered | Cluth head bolts were introduced when GM first upgraded to robotics on their assembly assembly line.
I call them them clutch heads because the only way to get most of them off now days is to clutch the head with vise grips & crank on the nut with a wrench. | | | | | Joined: Oct 2001 Posts: 3,458 Extreme Gabster | | Extreme Gabster Joined: Oct 2001 Posts: 3,458 | They are called clutch heads because they don't need downward pressure from the driver tip to screw them in- the driver doesn't jump when torque is applied, it "clutches" the screw. You need downward pressure to Phillips, slotted, and Filister. You don't for Torx, Robertson (square), hex/allen, and clutch. Clutch heads can stand a lot of torque without ripping out the slot.
Paint & Body Shop moderator
A lone amateur built the Ark. A large group of professionals built the Titanic. | | | | | Joined: Jan 2001 Posts: 46 Wrench Fetcher | | Wrench Fetcher Joined: Jan 2001 Posts: 46 | 4ontheFloor - I appreciate the explanation. Is there a special screw driver required (or available) specifically for clutch heads? The bolts on my truck have a large Phillips-looking head which strip out easily with even my largest screw driver. What kind of a slot does a clutch head have? I think I like sixpack's idea of using similar Allen head bolts to replace the original hardware when it all goes back together. | | | | | Joined: May 2001 Posts: 41 Member | | Member Joined: May 2001 Posts: 41 | The size clutch head driver you need is a 5/16
37 Chevy 1/2 Ton
86 Chevy Blazer
98 Drudge 24 valve Cummins
One worn out Timberjack
| | | | | Joined: Dec 2001 Posts: 1,745 Member | | Member Joined: Dec 2001 Posts: 1,745 | I know I sound like a Chevy Duty commercial but I bought a set of clutchhead screwdrivers from them for $14.95 All the truck's sizes are represented.
With the proper tool they really are not bad.
54 3100 with 235
62 flatbed dump C60 with 261
| | | | | Joined: Jan 2001 Posts: 46 Wrench Fetcher | | Wrench Fetcher Joined: Jan 2001 Posts: 46 | | | |
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