ConcoursMustang Forums
Restoring - General discussions that span across many different groups of years and models => Interior & Trunk => Topic started by: ruppstang on April 03, 2012, 09:50:52 PM
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Does any one know a source for convertible top pad screws and SS washers? The screws appear to be 8-32 flat head Phillips using a countersunk stainless washer.
I did not see any thing in the AMK catalog. Thanks Marty
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Part number - part number - part number!
Sorry, I deal in the real world.
Jim
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Thats what they are Marty. I don't have a source, I get the screws from local hardware store. Closest thing to the washer is a finishing washer but that doesn't let washer sink into the material. Last car I did was missing 2 washer so I just made them out of thin aluminum stock
ps: that is how we do it in the real world ;D
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Some of us dealing in the "real world", procured hardware for a living for a variety of customers, hi-tech companys, automobile companys (Ford included), medical companys and even the government (Navy and USAF in particular). I kept a few of those "real world" sources in my files. If there is a Ford part number, I or any number of other members in this forum, would know what to look for. Even a reference page in the appropiate Osborn Assembly manual would help. Even a complete desription (type, size, threads per inch, length, special features, etc) would be a good idea. Just a thought.
Jim
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The stainless finishing washers can be easily made into the right washers.
Just drill a hole that the screw will fit in, in a steel block and then bevel the entrance into that hole as a countersink.
Put a washer on a screw. Put the screw in the tapered hole....Then WHACK with a BFH. Perfect washer!
Thank Richard Smykay for showing us how to do this in his convertible top book.
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Thanks Tim,
I went to a couple of auto body supply stores yesterday with no luck. Even went to a shop that installs tops to see if they had a source. They said that they would not mess with the screws they just use pop rivits. I do not think I want to do that. There is nothing listed in the Osborn assembly showing these screws and washers. I was only able to save one screw and washer. I will post a picture of them. Marty
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the real world sometimes takes solutions not found in a book
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the real world sometimes takes solutions not found in a book
Agreed I had to make two of the special bolts /W cap nuts that attach and adjust the front bow because they were missing.
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Auveco and others do sell the cup washers, but I found the trim ones Bryan mentioned locally so did as he noted, made my own, before and after below... works a treat and kinda fun! ;D
(http://i64.photobucket.com/albums/h180/dalorzof/68%20SJ%20S%20code%20convertible/CIMG1294Medium.jpg)
(http://i64.photobucket.com/albums/h180/dalorzof/68%20SJ%20S%20code%20convertible/CIMG1295Medium.jpg)
(http://i64.photobucket.com/albums/h180/dalorzof/68%20SJ%20S%20code%20convertible/CIMG1297Medium.jpg)
(http://i64.photobucket.com/albums/h180/dalorzof/68%20SJ%20S%20code%20convertible/CIMG1298Medium.jpg)
I did file the washer a bit to make it a bit shallower....
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On the header bolts, if you are referring to the T-bolts (378072 and 378265, 21/32"L and 27/32"L) the stone guard captive bolt is a close match that will work with the cage removed.
AMK makes a 5/8" (part PT, 379749 similar) and 7/8" (KSY, 378130) version which are real close, they have a lead point, not thread to the end, so not 100% accurate but as the originals are not reprodcued will work in a pinch...
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I wondered when my friend from down under would get in on this. I thought you might have some information considering the the research you have done on the mustang convertible tops. Looks like I will be banging out some washers this weekend. That Ford screw is strange because it only has about a 25 degree angle head. The T bolts had the bolt off center of the head so I thought it was easier just to make them.
Thanks for everyones help with this. Marty
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Eventually you get some clues. The screw is 51053-S8 8-32X3/8in L, flat head, thread cutting, Phillips, steel (not stainless), zinc plated. The washer is 34963-S size 8, 0.219-0.229ID, 0.427-0.437OD, 0.010-0.018thk stainless (dish dimension unk).
The nearest part I found for the washer is NAS1169C8 but it is 0.562OD. It is a washer primarly used on aircraft, is obsolete but still available. Your method of adapting a finishing washer works (I've used it on a couple of cars as a repair item) but stainless does have a tendency to split as it is brittle.
The screw should be available at most hardware stores as a standard type but not as a thread cutter. As the standard type screw is a replacement for an existing tapped by the thread cutter screw you should have little problem. AMK stocks a 1/2 inch long as the closest.
Jim