The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Paint and Body Shop type and sizes of screws

I am near the process of attaching my front fenders, grille and associated front parts. I saved some of the the screw type fittings from when it was taken apart over 6 years ago for eventual replacement. What is the name of this type screw and what are the sizes of same? So I can order from a supplier like Granger ......... some of them were installed with a clutch head driver and others with a 7/16 wrench. They measure 1/4 inch in diameter and vary in length from roughly 1/2 to 3/4 inch in length. Am not interested in clutch head replacements but phillips would be fine. Mine is not a restoration but merely a rescue. thanks in advance ...........

Lane in Mt Hermon, Louisiana

Lane,
Sorry but I broke my crystal ball. What truck are you talking about?'
Harold

oops! I thought everyone could read my mind ........... sorry about that ......... it's a 46 Chevy ............ thanks

Come on Lane, we NEED to know what you are working on to help you. ‘46 Chevy what? 1/2, 3/4, 1 ton or larger? Help us!

The only one's you have asked about are called 1/4-20 x 1/2 long or 3/4 long. (quarter twenty). I assume they are machine screws not sheet metal screws. Some can be called bolts. The 20 number is the threads per inch.
20 is standard coarse. You may want to count the threads to verify. The head style is your choice. Should be available at any hardware store or big box home supply store. I have never ordered hardware. Maybe you are rural and it's a long way to the store? or there are other reasons.

As far as what sizes are needed in all the areas you describe, that is tough to say. If you make a list of what exactly you are attaching maybe someone with a 46 can identify. If you have some of each and can measure them, that's easy.

It may be time to get educated on hardware. Look up sizes, mostly coarse threads. Go buy one of each bolt/screw and one each nut. Use those to size threaded holes on the truck and/or match to the extra screws/bolts you have. Calipers and a thread gage would help. If something like a bumper is mounted with a bolt and nut, measure the clearance holes in the parts and get the hardware that fits with a little clearance. After a while you will know by looking what you need. The lengths are determined by the stack thickness of parts, including lock washers, flat washers and nuts... with a little extra stick-out past the nut. Some are used in threaded holes, that length is determined by the stack and the depth of the hole. This is a very basic skill that you need to learn ASAP. Asking for what sizes to use all over a truck is "arm chair" restoration/rescue/refurbish. This particular subject needs a "hands on" approach.

The exact truck does not matter. A bolt is a bolt. A screw is a screw.

You probably are only going to run into a few sizes 1/4, 5/16, 3/8, 7/16, 1/2. Mostly UNC, sometimes UNF. Small screws are numbered 6, 8, 10, 12. Grade 5 will be suffice.

If you get stuck and are not angry at me, post with any problem. I am truly helping you and want you to succeed. Anyway, it's the first answer. There will be others.

McMaster has a good selection of hardware if you want to order from them. Their website has about anything you'd need as far as head styles (no clutch heads, though). It's a good resource. I bought a hundred 1/4-20 x 3/4 bolts along with nuts, lockwashers and flat washers for my project. But they sent them 2nd day Air $$ . You can specify how you want them sent.

Like bartamos said, a bolt is a bolt is a bolt, no matter where you get them.

Thanks to everyone for the feedback.