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Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 94
J
Shop Shark
Shop Shark
J Offline
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 94
OK, maybe I've been out in the cold too long, but here goes...

'53 235 FP PG
Anybody know what size socket is correct for the head of the (6) flywheel to crank bolts?
5/8" (.625) too small
11/16" (.687) feels way too sloppy, and someone previously rounded the heads and it's making it difficult.

Question....could they possibly be 21/32" (.656) ??

FYI: The small bendable (safety) "lock tabs" are not engaged.

Jim




Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 29,871
H
Kettle Custodian (pot stirrer)
Kettle Custodian (pot stirrer)
H Offline
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 29,871
11/16 is right- - - -use a 6 point socket.
Jerry


"It is better to be silent and be thought a fool than to speak and eliminate all doubt!" - Abraham Lincoln
Cringe and wail in fear, Eloi- - - - -we Morlocks are on the hunt!
There is nothing noble in being superior to your fellow man; true nobility is being superior to your former self. - Ernest Hemingway
Love your enemies and drive 'em nuts!
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L
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L Offline
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Posts: 135
You might have to get a metric socket and pound it on there with a hammer if the 6 point doesn't work.


1961 ford f500
1953 3100 five window (https://www.facebook.com/1953-Chevrolet-5-window-1533405913413610/)
1955-2 3200 big window (https://www.facebook.com/Leep3200/)
55yrs as a mechanic and retired. (kind of)
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 9,115
'Bolter
'Bolter
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 9,115
I believe it is 11/16. Some sockets have the inside of the hex sides tapered or rounded off near the end. This is to make them slip onto a bolt head easier. In this case it can be a problem because the bolt heads are very shallow. One possible approach might be to grind the end of the socket down to get a better grip on the heads.


1951 GMC 1 Ton Flatbed -- It is finally on the road and what a great time I have driving it!
1951 1 Ton Completed


My Chevy Master 4 Door is on the Road!
Joined: Feb 2004
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H
Kettle Custodian (pot stirrer)
Kettle Custodian (pot stirrer)
H Offline
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 29,871
A good quality 17MM 6 point socket (Snap-on, MAC, etc.) will be a few thousandths smaller than an 11/16. Some of the Harbor Fright stuff is about as accurate as a sloppy Crescent wrench.
Jerry


"It is better to be silent and be thought a fool than to speak and eliminate all doubt!" - Abraham Lincoln
Cringe and wail in fear, Eloi- - - - -we Morlocks are on the hunt!
There is nothing noble in being superior to your fellow man; true nobility is being superior to your former self. - Ernest Hemingway
Love your enemies and drive 'em nuts!
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 2,832
C
'Bolter
'Bolter
C Offline
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 2,832
There is a radius at the hex end of most sockets so for thin headed bolts I chuck the socket up in the lathe and turn back the end till the radius is gone. It works real well but also weakens the socket making it more prone to cracking. This does NOT make it fit tighter but does make it fit over more of the head.


Evan
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Posts: 94
J
Shop Shark
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J Offline
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Thanks guys, all great suggestions but I was able to get them all off today,
it wasn't pretty but I got them all...jus have to get new bolts.
thanks, Jim

Joined: Apr 2016
Posts: 1,052
M
'Bolter
'Bolter
M Offline
Joined: Apr 2016
Posts: 1,052
This is why I keep a box of old wrenches and sockets. You never know when a sacrifice is needed for the greater good.


Old enough to know better, too young to resist.
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 436
6
'Bolter
'Bolter
6 Offline
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 436
Mick,

Another reason I peruse the local flea markets. There are usually some great deals on old, quality tools, wrenches, saws files, etc...

You just have to know what you're looking at and be able to walk away if haggling doesn't get it to a price you're happy with.

Joined: Apr 2016
Posts: 1,052
M
'Bolter
'Bolter
M Offline
Joined: Apr 2016
Posts: 1,052
I love to haggle


Old enough to know better, too young to resist.
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 29,871
H
Kettle Custodian (pot stirrer)
Kettle Custodian (pot stirrer)
H Offline
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 29,871
About 5 minutes with a torch put just the right amount of bend into a 12-point 5/8" box end wrench to cut my labor time in half when changing the fuel injection pump on a Cummins Diesel engine! One mounting bolt between the pump and the engine block was just about impossible to reach without it!
Jerry


"It is better to be silent and be thought a fool than to speak and eliminate all doubt!" - Abraham Lincoln
Cringe and wail in fear, Eloi- - - - -we Morlocks are on the hunt!
There is nothing noble in being superior to your fellow man; true nobility is being superior to your former self. - Ernest Hemingway
Love your enemies and drive 'em nuts!
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 29,270
Bubba - Curmudgeon
Bubba - Curmudgeon
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 29,270
I had an 11/16" cheap short 6-point socket.
I lame-handed grinding-wheel (Harbor Freight) ground the opening edge/circumference flat, just a little.
It takes off (and/installs) the flat/thin-head flywheel nuts quite easily (every time, so far).

Cheap and easy peasy lemon squezy.

For old times sake, I use the old style bolt locks (if I have good ones).


Moderated by  Phak1, Woogeroo 

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