The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area General Truck Talk Clutch head size

I have a couple of parts doors that I need to disassemble that are out of a 41-46 Chev truck. The PO didn't know for sure which year, but the are definitely from a Chev of that era, since the passenger door has the key hole in the panel, instead of the handle. The interior panels are put on with clutch head screws. Anyone have any idea what size clutch head driver I will need to get the panels off? Do I just measure the "hole" across the wide portion, and that will tell me whether I need a 3/16 or a 5/32 (or other size) clutch head bit?

I would suggest buying the set of four from someone like classic parts-$18.00 I use mine everyday it seems. the four common sizes are 5/16", 1/4", 3/16", 5/32. The measurement is across the opening at the ends of the hourglass shape.

Thanks Brad. I was coming to the same conclusion about buying the four sizes. The 40 that I am restoring has mostly all slotted screws, not the clutch head, but there are a couple in different areas of the truck that have a couple clutch head. Just enough to stop the progress because I don't have the right tool when I need it. Isn't that always the way. For $18, I should get the set.

Just so you know if your door has the keyhole in the door it's from a 46. The 41s had the key in the handle.

I bought one of those vendor sets years ago, and they were crap. One snapped off, and the mid-sized on turns in the handle. i found that a larger sized Phillips screwdriver jammed into the head does the job. Of course, you won't be re-using those screws...

I found both the clutch head screwdrivers and clutch head bits (for nut drivers) at my local NAPA for less than the sets from the specialty vendors.

The other option is to get the clutch tips for a magnetic screw driver. I got mine at Chevy of the forties in Vancouver WA. and they work great with a Snap-on handle.

Tried the local NAPA store today. I asked them if they carry any clutch head screwdrivers or bits and they got this funny look on their face. After I explained what they were, they got the catalog out and could not find any in it. Guess I will be looking at one of the online sources.

Will the clutch tips for a magnetic screw driver work with a 3/8" impact wrench or would that be too much punishment for them? I've got some that are REALLY tight.
David

You can buy just the inserts, you know with the 1/4" hex on one end and the clutch on the other.

I bought a few at the local hardware store.

you can also get the bits from McMaster Carr.
http://www.mcmaster.com/

page 2755 in the online catalog, all 5 sizes for less than $6 total.

part numbers for the short ones:
7188A31
7188A21
7188A23
7188A24
7188A32

longer ones available, look at the page mentioned above.

Should be fine in the impact, and if not then they were cheap...

Grigg

Found out that the clutch head screws that hold the interior door panel and trim are 5/16. I measured the opening in the screw and it looked to be 3/8, but the 3/8 clutch head screwdriver that I ordered for it, would not fit, so then had to look for plan B.

Went to the McMaster Carr web site on the weekend and placed an order with them for the bits mentioned above and a bunch of other drivers and parts. They actually have some nice items there for what looks like a pretty fair price. Thought that my clutch head problems were over, and I would just have to wait for the bits to arrive.

Went back to the site today to check to see if they had shipped them, and the order would not show up, so I called them. The person I talked to said that the order was gong to ship today and that there wasn't any issue. About half an hour later, got an email saying that they could not ship to Canada, "due to the ever increasing complexity of United States export regulations" and that they are only shipping to "a few long-established customers in Canada".

What a waste of time and effort, not to mention very aggravating. On to the next place.... all because of a few pesky little clutch head bolts. Maybe the vise grips will be used instead....

I have a really old Snap-on that came from a swap meet, and bought the other three sizes off the tool truck. They were surprisingly affordable, unlike most tools off the Snap-on truck.
I also have the bigger size in a socket tip, also old Snap-on. I've used that one a good bit with an impact driver to remove really stubborn screws. The latest was on the door latch mechanisms on my '62 Suburban's rear barn doors, and the screws that held my dimmer switch to the floor. They were extremely corroded, and without hte impact driver I'd have had to drill them. And that's never fun.
That size is also used in the doors of my truck, for the window regulators if I remember correctly.
A very, very handy tool to have.
The smaller sizes have been used to rebuild Holley carbs.

Check out the Snap-on website. You should be able to get all you need from there.
-Brad

You might go to your local garage & get the phone # of the local Snap-On dealer from a mechanic there. Then you can call the guy & ask if he has what you want on his truck. Get the bits, & if you don't already have one, get a hand impact driver. One of the best tools for removing old rusted screws of any type.
Doug