The Stovebolt Site Forums The Parking Lot Big Bolts The term Stovebolt

Hey, I'm going to stick me neck out so try to be a little kind.
I've heard the word for years, asked around town, been wondering long enough.
Why the nickname Stovebolt,what does it come from,or refer to ?

For those that might be laughing at the question. Without looking it up give me the answer to this one, cause I know it.

It had a stovebolt in it and covered with glass.
The first year,How many,What color,The name,and where was it produced.

No, I don't think anyone is laughing. We have pieces of this answer in various formats and one of these days, we'll actually get around to making an FAQ. Because it does come up often.

I like what Wikipidia has to say. Especially since we were intially the only reference they had!! (That was a cool surprise).

Peg

There is a distinct possibility that the wikipedia has promulgated what seems to be a misstatement of a sentence in the highlighted portion of the well-known old book about the "Cast-Iron Wonder", the "Stove Bolt Six" engine.

There were no slotted head-bolts on the first generation stovebolt engines. However, the sheet-metal covers attached to the engine (valve cover and side covers, and a few other parts) were attached with 1/4"x20 slotted-head bolts, that were/are commonly called stove bolts. They were not head bolts (they were not the bolts that held the head to the block).

Here is a little historical article about the Stove Bolt Six (it also misstates the existence of slotted head-bolts but it is otherwise an interesting write-up).

Tim

Tim,

Keep that in mind!! You can help me with the FAQ!! I know we have a lot of snippets of info around. As I come across them, I could send them your way (hint, hint )

Then we always have to explain what OUR term Stovebolt means. But it will make for a good FAQ.

Peg

Tim,
You are absolutely correct in that there were never slotted "head-bolts" on these trucks. However, the way I have always read the phrase "1/4"-20 slotted head bolts" is that "slotted head" is the adjectival phrase that describes "bolts" not that "slotted" describes "head bolts". If I had been writing that book, I probably would have hyphenated slotted and head so that the phrase would read "1/4"-20, slotted-head bolts".

Thanks Peggy,
The link to Wikipidia got me to the history on Chevy. Back when Durant hired race car driver Louis Chevrolet which brought on the Chevrolet car and then the beginning of the first Stovebolt 6 back in 1928.
It was a great history lesson and fun to read. Thanks

Dan

The 6 cylinder was not in a production car untill 29.
I have a 28, and like all production 1928's I know of, it has a 4 cylinder.

Grigg

Grigg,
Your right, I was just refering to 28 as the year that it began and did not mean to imply when it hit production in a car.
Thanks buddy, its good to know when it fist showed up in production.

I figured you understood, but the wording could be misleading to others.. that's all
Grigg

While working on something else, I came across this old image I've had (for the FAQ). Thought you would enjoy it.

If I recall correctly (not my strong suit), I think Bill LePage (red58) sent this to me a good long while ago ... when we were trying to do an FAQ back then, too.

Peg

Jeff,

I completely agree with you.

Here is the sentence from the Wikipedia: "The reason the General Motors inline-6 cylinder engines were referred to as a Stovebolt was due to the engine's slotted quarter inch head bolts."

I've changed the Wikipedia entry; let's see how long it lasts.

Tim