The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Paint and Body Shop Hood latch to panel fasteners

Unless I'm blind (likely), searches for latch to panel screws for a '54 have come up empty. Picture attached. Anyone have luck sourcing these? Mine were cemented in and I'll need to replace a few.

Thanks,
R

You have circled a screw it seems. A fillister head screw. Slotted drive. The source for screws is a hardware store. ACE, Home Depot, etc.

tclederman may have a parts book that gives size as well as part numbers. The part number, however, will do you no good.

Right you are - it's been a long, cold day. Post updated accordingly. New panels seem to ship with them and I was trying to avoid the hardware hunting game.

The main point is the source. It's pretty easy to measure threads and length. Hardware stores have thread test gauges for you to use. You will get good at eyeballing since there are only a few sizes used back then.

Were you able to break loose those cemented screws? Yes, unless you are going very original, you will have plenty of choices at your local hardware store.

I used hex head bolts from the hardware store; Grade 5, 1/4" dia, 1" long (might have been 1.5" long - can't remember).

I had to adjust that latch a few times so it was nice to not have the slot head hardware.

I have such a dislike for slotted screws that when they come out, they go into the trash can. Of course, nothing I own is or will be "all original"..

Thanks @bart + all for the pointers. My other hobby is Alfas, so making a quick trip to Napa/Ace and actually being able to find parts is something of a novelty (and a welcome one at that).

Yes, it's easy. No metric on these babies.

We used SS Philips head with SS washers--looks nice on both the 49 and 51..Bill

The slotted head screw was thrown out by industry long ago because you can't keep a power driver centered.....as everybody knows. Automation was the nail in the slotted screw's coffin. So Phillips and Clutch head came out....then many others followed.

The Phillips head was not invented by Mr. Phillips.

The Government MS calls them "cross recessed" to avoid using brand names.

They are period correct being used on Cadillac is the 30's.

Weren't those originally clutch head?

No idea what they were originally. To bring this full circle, I coaxed the old slotted jerks out with some heat and swapped for socket caps in black oxide (Hillman). We'll see how they hold up.

52Carl you are right, or at least mine on my ‘52 are clutch head.

Looks good, Phil - paint or powder?

Just cheap rattle can Ace Premium Satin Black that I got from Ace Hardware. It’s the best spray paint that I have ever used. Sprays a pattern like a spray gun, only needs two coats and drys really quick.

That does look nice, I like the satin finish.

Both of my 1951 Chevrolets have clutch head screws , but I don't know about the 1954 models.

A little anti-seize on the new threads will help you with future repairs.
permatex Anti-Seize

Tim

Correct.
From Wikipedia:
The credited inventor of the Phillips screw was John P. Thompson who, in 1932, patented (#1,908,080) a recessed cruciform screw and in 1933, a screwdriver for it.

But Henry F. Phillips who started the Phillips Screw Co in 1934, is who it's named after.

But the grease fitting (aka Zerk fitting) was invented by Otto Zerk.

Thus concludes today's trivia lesson.

The hood latch screws on my '51 were clutch head.

The Clutch Head was invented by . . . . ?

It could have been named the Fieg Head (1931)?
Revised with Thatcher in 1932; and later, with others.

More than you ever wanted/needed to know . . .

Interesting read, Tim. I can't help but wonder if the original Type A driver (no longer available) works better than the drivers which we have available today. I am guessing that for installing a new clutch head screw into a new car or truck on the assembly line, they would be the cat's pajamas.

Had to lift the hood to see what my rig had.

I always dig seeing clutch heads where they belong.