radiator mounting bolts

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Apr 2, 2014 | 09:07 AM

Wayne Waldrep

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From: Cuba, AL (NO internet)

radiator mounting bolts

I have the radiator out of my truck. The PO mounted the radiator but didn't use the 6 factory square nuts. Can someone tell me the size bolt and thread specs for these nuts please? They are captured inside a small "cage" so they won't spin so I can't just take them out. Thanks!

49 Ford original 239

Apr 2, 2014 | 09:59 AM

52 Merc

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From: Burbank, WA

I believe they should be 3/8-24.

Apr 2, 2014 | 10:53 AM

Wayne Waldrep

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Dang. Fastenal and Lowes which are my two choices here only have 3/8-16....I just googled and looks like 3/8-24 isn't made by hardly anyone. Typical for an old truck huh...lol. Thanks for the info.

Apr 2, 2014 | 11:07 AM

ALBUQ F-1

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From: NM

3/8"-24 is Fine Thread, it's common on automotive uses. NAPA will have it. Fastenal surely does. Tractor Supply?
3/8"-24 x 1-1/2" Plain Finish SAE J429 Grade 5 Hex Cap Screw | Fastenal

Apr 2, 2014 | 11:10 AM

Wayne Waldrep

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Quote:

Originally Posted by ALBUQ F-1

3/8"-24 is Fine Thread, it's common on automotive uses. NAPA will have it. Fastenal surely does. Tractor Supply?
3/8"-24 x 1-1/2" Plain Finish SAE J429 Grade 5 Hex Cap Screw | Fastenal

Thanks Ross. Thats the bolts I'll need but I just called Fastenal and they don't have the square nuts. Fastenal.com also only shows 3/8-16 sq nuts. Going by my friends Napa store today as suggested!

EDIT: TRACTOR SUPPLY!!! We have one of those. I totally missed that on the end.

Apr 2, 2014 | 11:15 AM

ALBUQ F-1

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From: NM

True enough, square nuts are almost always UNC (coarse). I thought you were looking for the bolts (didn't read closely enough). You can just buy new coarse bolts and use the coarse nuts, no big advantage to fine threads for this use.

Apr 2, 2014 | 11:44 AM

Wayne Waldrep

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That sounds like a plan. My next fun will be bending each little flange out and replacing the old square nuts. Threads are totally gone. Not sure how well that will work. Haven't looked closely thought. Maybe there is a side that is open already. I don't think so but maybe. I thought about taking a Dremel and cut off wheel and removing all them and using speed nuts instead.

Apr 2, 2014 | 07:37 PM

Wayne Waldrep

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I brought home a couple new bolts to try. One 3/8-24 and one 3/8-16....neither threads into the nuts. So basically I can replace the nuts (which I found at a dinky farm supply store in town) or do the tap. Either way it will solve the problem.
Thanks for the help guys!