Click on image for the lowdown. 
====
| | | Forums66 Topics128,162 Posts1,057,068 Members48,463 | | 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!
Lots of work on Brad's part ... pure enjoyment (and references) for you!
| | THANKS!
For helping keep this great
old truck web site
on the Internet for over 30 years! and not clogged down
with Ads!  Again, thanks!
| | | | Joined: Oct 2014 Posts: 94 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark 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 Kettle Custodian (pot stirrer) | | Kettle Custodian (pot stirrer) 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!
| | | | | Joined: Sep 2017 Posts: 135 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Sep 2017 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. | | | | | 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. | | | | | Joined: Feb 2004 Posts: 29,871 Kettle Custodian (pot stirrer) | | Kettle Custodian (pot stirrer) 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 'Bolter | | 'Bolter 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
| | | | | Joined: Oct 2014 Posts: 94 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Oct 2014 Posts: 94 | 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 'Bolter | | 'Bolter 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 'Bolter | | 'Bolter 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 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Apr 2016 Posts: 1,052 |
Old enough to know better, too young to resist.
| | | | | Joined: Feb 2004 Posts: 29,871 Kettle Custodian (pot stirrer) | | Kettle Custodian (pot stirrer) 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). | | |
|
|
