What fasteners hold these letters below the hood?
 

Ok, I seem to have misplaced the small bolts that hold on the "F O R D" letters on the upper valance below the front of the hood. (49 truck)

Do you guys have a picture and/or dimensions of the bolts? It appears to be a fine threaded hole, but I don't have anything in my parts pile that fits.
I'll need to find eight bolts of the right length and diameter.

Thanks for any info - Tom

I had some issues first removing and then attaching my FORD letters. I started a thread entitled "Trim Question" 8-27-16. I ended up fastening my letters with 3M 5200 adhesive. Members that responded to my thread had various other ideas, but I had the 3M adhesive handy. My letters are still straight and tight. They are not going to fall off anytime soon. If they ever have to be removed, I'm going to try a heat gun.

Jim

https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.for...cbf2fbe715.jpg
Here is a pic of what mine has. They are either 8-32 or 10-32 threads. I have them on the truck now or I could tell you for certain the size.
Mark

In lieu of the original retaining hardware that Mark has pictured or an adhesive, you might look into using external push nuts. I think that's the route I'm going to go. You can get them in at least 10 different flavors to suit your fancy from our friends at McMaster Carr.

https://www.mcmaster.com/#push-nuts/=1bjnyuh

I'm kinda partial to these as they look to be easier to remove if necessary without prying on the letters or sheetmetal:

https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.for...96d4308997.png

Hmmm,
I don't remember seeing those brackets behind the letters when I took the truck apart. Maybe each assembly plant did things differently? Or a previous owner removed them. Mark, that was a great picture - thank you. Very helpful.

Jim, the adhesive idea is surprising they haven't fallen off. Your roads must be smoother than around here. :)

And BlueOval, I have threaded holes in my letters, these don't have male posts so the nuts won't work.

I suppose I could make some simple crude brackets - but if anyone else here has some info or suggestions on what they used, I'm all ears.

Tom

Hi Tom. I'm thinking the Wisconsin Northwoods is not so much different than Maine. Our road starts out paved but turns to gravel before it gets to our house. We don't have mountains, however. 3M 5200 adhesive is amazingly tough. My only concern is maybe someday having to remove the letters to re-paint my truck.

My letters are reproduction and intended to be fastened with single use push-on nuts similar to what Blue Oval has pictured. I found the push-on nuts to be a "devil" to remove and difficult to get a tight enough fit to prevent a slight movement of the letters. With adhesive, you don't have to worry about your letters moving and damaging your paint.

Jim

Oh, I see now.

There are two types of FORD letters - some with male posts and some with threaded holes? I just read the whole thread from august of last year.
Learn something new every day on here.

The letters with threaded holes like Mark has would seem to me to be much better than the ones (like mine) with posts. I had to remove my truck's upper valance to get my post variety letters off. Getting the push-on nuts snugged down tight enough to prevent movement is another problem with the post type letters.

Let us know if you find a source for letters like Mark's. Good luck on getting your truck ready for Truckstock! Your cab looks great!!

Jim

Thanks Jim, my goal is to do something every day to get the truck assembled and ready.
It's all indoor work for now until winter gives up and goes away.
Bugs the heck out of me that I can't find those screws. Usually I bag things up together. All the letters were together............poof no screws. Some day I'll find them and wonder what they go to.

I'm a little (no a lot) ADD, and I know the feeling!

Jim

My letters were all pitted and ugly so I ordered new ones. The new ones were not threaded and had the push "nuts". They were a bear to install with my reverse tilt hood, hard to get to. It took two of us to install them, I had to use a socket that fit over the studs and a hammer while my wife held a big rubber hammer on the letters. I would much rather have the originals that screw in just like the picture that Mark posted.

I could swear my letter posts do have holes but these are not threaded, They are attached with some rectangular push clamp. But I'll double check, if I remember correctly.

https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.for...912f306f8d.jpg
Notice that the ends of the legs are rounded.

https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.for...d7f6506bc2.jpg
https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.for...4f328d3e62.jpg
Here are a couple of photos of the screws and attaching plates. The screws are #10x3/8" pan head, Fastenal #32349 would work. The plates are .049 or 18 gauge thickness steel x 3/8" wide x 5/16" tall legs(inside).
Mark

Super information & photos Mark - much appreciated! Now I know what the screws are supposed to look like. Back into the garage I'll go to see if I find them. Tom

p.s - I notice the bracket is slotted on one side...that will allow you to adjust and straighten/evenly space the letters I suppose.

The studs on the back of the letters fit pretty tightly in the holes in the body. I'm not sure what the slotted hole is for. The brackets do bend some when you tighten the screws. Glad to help.
Mark