My truck:

75 F250 camper special
2WD
Power steering

I need the bolts to mount the steering box onto the chassis. I think there are 4 or so???

Any idea where I can get them? LMC? Dealer?

Thanks.

 

I can't remember the size right off hand, but they are nothing special. Go to any hardware store and you can find what you need. I personally like going with grade 8 bolts for most things like that.

 

Even though they have a square shoulder near the head, I can get them at a hardware store? that is good to know.

 

If they're the same as the ones on my steering box, the hardware store isn't going to do it. I learned some things about various bolts when I was replacing all the ones I had for Buford. They're fairly big, like 9/16" or 7/8", and most hardware stores don't carry that size for some weird reason (at least not in this area). They told me that it's a typical automotive size, and they don't stock it often for lack of demand. The odd thing is that they carry the sizes around it, but not the specific size itself.....I just wish I could remember specificially what size it was.

Your best bet is to go to a nut and bolt shop. Around here we've got a couple places (Tacoma Screw and Valley Nut and Bolt). They'll have the right size and length available, as well as grade 8 and a flanged head. It'll cost probably 2 to 4 bucks a bolt, but they'll be the right ones.

 

A square shoulder under the head like a carriage bolt?

carriage bolt

The larger sizes are called "shaker screen" bolts.

My '75 F150 uses plain ol' grade-5 7/16" bolts.

Alvin

 

A square shoulder under the head like a carriage bolt?

carriage bolt

I was told the larger sizes are called "shaker screen" bolts. :)

My '75 F150 uses plain ol' grade-8 7/16" bolts.

My originals have the "grade-8 circle" on the head instead of the 6 radiating lines.

Alvin in AZ

 

Ya, your probably right about the hardware stores. Now that I think about it, you may have to go to a Farm supply store or a bolt shop if you want to get the exact size. I think my Hardware Hank carries larger bolts and so does my Fleet Farm, but Why many hardware stores don't carry certain sizes, I'm not sure. And If I remember right, when I changed over my steering on my Highboy and mounted the steering box, I drilled out the box holes just a bit and went with a larger bolt.

 

Heck yeah. :)
Making square holes round won't weaken it any. :)
That's the way I'd'a prob'ly done it too. :)

Alvin in AZ

 

The bolts snapped off, right?

This is a very common occurance even when these trucks were brand new.

WARNING: When the bolts work loose, that can cause the frame to crack!

Ford changed the bolt design several times thru the 1970's, didn't help much.

3) 384737S2 .. Bolt-Power Steering Gearbox to Frame / Grade 8 ~ 7/16" -14 x 3 15/16" ~ 1 1/8" thread length / Obsolete.

Fits: 1973/79 F100/350 2WD.

Many of these bolts have been replaced, some more than once. So the bolts that are there now, may not be the originals.

btw: For y'all that recognize FoMoCo part numbers, and wonder what this number in blue is. It's a standard (hardware) part number.
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Internet search for NOS (new old stock) originals:

Don Sanderson Ford in Glendale AZ has 8 = 623-842-8762

Andersen Ford Sales in Bellfontaine OH has 2 = 937-592-6010.

That's it. No other Ford dealer, or obsolete parts seller has any.

 

Yes.

So, is it a common occurance to drill out the square hole to fit a round bolt rather than trying to obtain the originals?

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Any idea what these would sell for per bolt?

I really do appreciate all the information from everyone.

 

It's an obsolete part, so Don Sanderson Ford is stuck with 8 of them.

Sanderson would prolly prefer to have none because they cannot be returned to Ford.

Call 'em up and ask, I provided their phone number.

 

Cool information, Bill! :)
Thanks. :)

My steering gear is threaded.
My 7/16" bolts never got loose, I put a jam-nut on the them way back when tho. :)
Just didn't like the looks of them naked bolts holding my steering gear on is all.

Over time the bolt heads sucked into the soft frame steel. So then added
some super-extra-thick dished-spring-like washers under the bolt heads,
I found 'em in a wrecking yard.
Still don't know what they were originally for.
Intake/exhaust manifold washers?

In this case there was a problem with the softass frame steel.
Otherwise washers etc just add to the problems. :/

I was a railroad signal maintainer and so maintained power switch machines
and the switch points that go with them.

If you want a bolt and nut to stay put...
Leave off all the washers and other junk it doesn't absolutely need.
They are just sources of play.
Split-ring lock washers are the worst thing they ever came up with.
Leave those off for sure. :/
Double nut the bolt.

Gov't required a cotter pin. :)
That sucker was great for not letting the nut fall all the way off! :)
But in a half a month the nut rattling around on the bolt would ruin both
the bolt and the nut. ...didn't fall off but did nothing to keep the nut tight.

Some of the bolts need the track department to help change them out.
I fiNgured out all on my own that... if I took all the washers off and double
nutted the bolts... those bolts and nuts would out-last the switch points! :)

Funny thing was, no one was interested in the information. :(
No overtime to be had... in things that don't fail.

Works on a trailer ball too.
"Cotter pin" will keep it from falling off but
"no washers and double nutted" will keep it tight.

Take your pick. ;)

Use a real wrench tho, not a springy "Cresent" wrench and a piece of pipe.
BTDT! ;)

Alvin in AZ