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

I find the use of these fasteners in the A.D. trucks intriguing. Was there a particular reason why this type was used in certain applications during the assembly of these trucks?

I think it had something to do with them being able to stay on the tool firmly enough without falling off and then being driven into place on whatever part... while on the assembly line.

That's the usual reason they have those crazy fasteners.

-W

Like Woogeroo says,it was probably a production line thing,much like manufacturers seem to favour Torx fasteners today...

There is no tougher test - CLUTCH HEAD SCREWS

Cool! Aren't the clutch heads on our trucks slightly different? According to the ad, you can easily use a flat blade screwdriver on them.

Maybe you could before they rusted for 50 years.

were they only used on chevvys i have never seen them on anything else i have worked on trucks cranes trains earthmoving equipment and never came across them till i got my 57 pickup

Apparently, they have also been commonly used on some brands of RV vehicles.

http://rvtechtips.blogspot.com/2011/11/dont-come-unstuck-with-stuck-screw.html

Excellent point, Cletis!

I guess I got lucky then,I could count the amount of seized/rusted bolts I got on my whole truck on one hand.....
And contrary to what some folks might think,I do only have 5 digits per limb!

I did use the screwdriver technique a couple of times before I got my clutch head drivers though.

For years I used a "special" set of screwdrivers that I had modified with a file so that they fit reasonably well.

Now I have a set of clutch head drivers.

I'm still looking for a source for the various clutch head screws. I would love to have a box of each size.

Kurt

i was thinking the clutch head looked more like the chevrolet emblem...lol

Does anyone know of a source for clutcheads other than McMaster-Carr?
I have searched everywhere I can think of. I was hoping to find stainless somewhere but, that seems to be out of the question.
Thanks

Jim Carter has a set available in black for the windlace.

This thread has produced some interesting info.--thanks to all who have contributed to it.

Does McMasterCarr even sell clutch head screws? I see they sell the drivers, but I could not find the screws....

Kurt

I have replaced most of the clutch head screws on my truck with hex head cap screws since I am not restoring to original.

Here is a link though to a fella who sells 'em, but they sure are pricey. Nice interactive website:
http://www.aaronstorxscrews.com/

Aaron's Torx Screws
714 W. Angus Avenue
Suite E
Orange, CA 92868
Phone: 714-838-3575 or
877-838-3575
Fax: 714-838-3165

I called McMaster-Carr today and they do not carry the clutch head fasteners any longer. It must have been old catalogue page I had. Sorry for the misinformation.
So, I guess better save all the old clutch heads I have because they don't seem to be available anymore.
I wonder if anyone can chrome the heads of ones I have and if they would still fit the screwdrivers???

I too have changed all of them out on both trucks. After years of rust & having only one set of drivers & mis placing them once in a while I decided that there a pain in the rear. I replaced them with all stainless philips head screws that way I know I have a screwdriver laying around everywhere for them... The other day I missed placed my small clutch driver(right where I left it) & needed it to remove the windows out of my 1948 truck, well after 3 days of searching for the dang thing I found it on the seat of the 1953 truck & don't remeber setting it in there.....lol Anyway just thought I'd throw my two cents in.

Peter, if your needing old ones I have lots of them if you want them or anyone else as well....

As I remove the clutch head fasteners from my '52 (restoration underway), I throw them in the trash can. They will be replaced with conventional fasteners. However, I plan on using new clutch head fasteners for the rear fenders since they are so visible. Classic parts sells the fasteners new for about $28 for both fenders. Pricey for sure, but worth it IMHO given the high visibility of the fasteners in the bed.

I too have been replacing my clutch head style screws with conventional. Almost every clutch head screw I came accross stripped out when trying to remove them, even with the proper tool, bad design in my own opinion. They are replaced with hex style

I have had great success removing the clutch head screws using the proper bit and an impact driver, and maybe a shot of PBblaster.

But I have lost a few over the years. If your going to throw them away, thow them my way.

Kurt

I'm trying to save mine as well from the '58 parts truck and my '59. I haven't found them online anywhere (John Deer is close but not the same). Funny you can find the tools all over the place though.
I want to try to keep my truck as original in time period as possible.
Jerry

These bolts are hardened and quite strong. If you take the time to remove the paint and other crap from the clutch head hole in the bolt head and use the correct tool in good shape the bolt will most times come out. 90% of these in my truck were threaded into sheet metal and came out easily. Those threaded into thicker material all came out with a little heat. If you do brake one, they are a little tough on the drill to remove.

Chevs of the '40's has them

My '55 2nd series Chevy has them....
My '55 2nd series GMC doesn't!

Yet my 58 GMC does!!!

I have a hunch it depended on the plant on the GMC's. I have New Design parts trucks from both the Oakland and St. Louis plants. They have clutch heads. Both these plants also built Chevy trucks. The Pontiac plant was all GMC. I suspect that's where the ones with Phillips were made.

Yesterday I found one on the inside of a Chrysler fuel pump !!

Both my Chevy & GMC have(had) them...... they were built in two different plants.

I think Cletis is on to something as my Jimmy is an Oakland build...
and for an option to buying the bolts there is this
John Deere clutch heads bolts