MTFCA Forum

Today, I removed the top fabric from my coupe. I am attaching pics of a fastener that attaches the top wood to the body.

It appears that it is a bolt that threads into some type of "nut" that is recessed in the wood. I can barely see the head of the bolt, but it appears to be round and flat so it would not be possible to get a wrench or socket onto it. Also, it appears that I won't be able to get wrench or socket on the "nut".

A close-up of the "nut" shows grooves on both sides of the protruding end of the bolt. Is there some type of device that can be used to turn the "nut"?

The nut may have "teeth" that bite into the wood to secure it from turning, or the head of the bolt may have. If there is no way to turn the bolt, the nut will probably have to be removed. A screwdriver with a slot ground in the tip to clear the bolt might do it. It would take a good quality screwdriver that fit the slots well. You'd want to keep from overheating the screwdriver tip when grinding a clearance slot in it. If repro parts are available, a catalog picture might provide some useful information.

There is no teeth on that nut. You will have to span the bolt to remove it. You may be able to use a pair of needle nose pliers to do so. Clean the slots before trying and add some penetrate to the threads.

What prevents the bolt from turning?

The bolts in the cavity behind the upholstery panels are carriage bolts in square holes, those over the doors are flathead machine bolts with slotted heads. If the nuts on top are rusty it will be difficult to remove those, and the carriage bolts are not captive, meaning gravity will want to claim them once the nut is successfully removed. Best, jb

The fasteners are smooth, round, tapered nuts about 5/16" thick as I recall from my '27 Tudor, with a screwdriver slot. The bolts are either #12 or 1/4", don't remember which. Getting them off is a lot easier if you aren't trying to save the wood. Most of them came out OK for me, despite the age and the rust, but a few took some heroic effort.

I would pull the tacks and leave this sleeping dog lay and go on to something else that needs replaced.

It is an "L-shaped" bolt. Fasteners are not reproduced that I could find.

All of my bolts on the coupe are straight.

Jahn, I made about 8 sets of them years ago when I restored two Fordors, I have a couple extra sets if needed. Joe

Joe, I sent you a question about these top wood nuts.

Joe, thanks. My fasteners were useable so I didn't look too hard for new ones. My coupe is mostly finished and I wouldn't recommend the wood replacement as a fun task if not absolutely needed. Lots of fitting and fiddling! Unfortunately mine had been the recipient of water dripping on the front left corner so both the roof halo and the door pillar had rotten areas.

Jahn

Jahn, I have one just like that and all the wood needed replaced, like you said if you do not have to leave it a lone, it is a lo t of work fitting things.