69 Dart taillight bezel screws????!!!!!????

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dusterdoug

dusterdoug

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FABO - HELP!

This has come up before so I’m hoping to tap into the network for help.

I bought taillight kits from Classic Industries and the bezel screws are way too small in thread diameter. They don’t care; “Sorry, those are what we get from the manufacture. I have no idea what size you need.” Alrighty then...

Does anyone have a good source for these?

Anyone know the actual size I need...thread and head size??



Thanks in advance!
 
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Take the screws you have to a fastener shop (Tacoma Screw ,Fastenal etc) and get a set of next two sizes up . 2 sets total ...
They will be cheap.
 
As I recall they are an 8-32 with a #6 size head. But a Countersunk head machine screw has a smaller head (0.312") than a Countersunk Socket head screw (0.359"). So you might try some machine screws. Or put up a wanted ad.

Don't quote me on the length. I used 1/2" as a guess to get drawings to show the difference in head sizes.

upload_2020-3-27_7-14-44.png


I helicoiled mine to 6-32 and used 6-32 Countersunk socket head screws (0.307 head diameter). I don't suggest this because the factory used a Phillips head crew, therefor a machine screw.
 
You need to start a wanted thread.
 
I just went through this, finding some kind of size 6 screws in the "gun screw" section of my hardware store that would thread in. I think they were 6-48 or something? Anyway, they worked fine for about a day, then the lens and bezel fell off because several of the holes were stripped out. So I found some little flat speed nuts that I put on the backside of the housing, and now the lens and bezel are bolted down not screwed in. I was going to tap the holes but the metal on the housing acts like pot metal and there's not much meat there to work with so I went the nut-and-screw route instead. I did have to grind the side of the speed nut for two of the holes on each housing for clearance. In the end it worked just fine. If you want some speed nuts PM me your address and I'll send you eight of them.
 
dusterdoug said:
FABO - HELP!

This has come up before so I’m hoping to tap into the network for help.

I bought taillight kits from Classic Industries and the bezel screws are way too small in thread diameter. They don’t care; “Sorry, those are what we get from the manufacture. I have no idea what size you need.” Alrighty then...

Does anyone have a good source for these?

Anyone know the actual size I need...thread and head size??



Thanks in advance!
Click to expand...

Ace Hardware has screws of every type and size you can think of, and about every material you could want.
Standard
Stainless
Brass
Black anodized
Chrome

I like the stainless allen type, because they stay looking good and someone thinking of stealing the lenses and bezels it's a little more unexpected.
I had a set of bezels stolen off my 66 Falcon once and decided I wasn't using Phillips ever again for those type of parts.

Like this type for recessed head screws.

Untitled.jpg
 
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Good info all! I had forgotten all about Fastenal; I’m trying that today.

My local Ace Hardware has every fastener I usually need, but not this time. Correct thread diameter, yes. Not the correct length. And the countersunk head, not even close...way too big.

Fingers crossed for Fastenal.
 
dano said:
As I recall they are an 8-32 with a #6 size head. But a Countersunk head machine screw has a smaller head (0.312") than a Countersunk Socket head screw (0.359"). So you might try some machine screws. Or put up a wanted ad.

Don't quote me on the length. I used 1/2" as a guess to get drawings to show the difference in head sizes.

View attachment 1715494769

I helicoiled mine to 6-32 and used 6-32 Countersunk socket head screws (0.307 head diameter). I don't suggest this because the factory used a Phillips head crew, therefor a machine screw.
Click to expand...

This may be an option too...
 
Local hardware even has them with black painted heads...……..
 
All, the problem is the head of the fastener is smaller than any standard countersunk screw. You need a head with about 1/4" in diameter. These are far from standard.
 
I think I know which screws you are talking about.... stainless trim screws with tiny heads . I never toss screws

dano said:
All, the problem is the head of the fastener is smaller than any standard countersunk screw. You need a head with about 1/4" in diameter. These are far from standard.
Click to expand...
 
mbaird said:
Something like this?
Click to expand...

No, those won't work. The screws are a machine thread, and only about 3/8" long. They just barely thread through the housing, and if they are too long they run into the sheet metal that makes the edge of the hole for the light bucket. Note to the OP, don't overtighten the screws, or you will strip out the threads. Don't ask me how I know this please.
 
halfafish said:
No, those won't work. The screws are a machine thread, and only about 3/8" long. They just barely thread through the housing, and if they are too long they run into the sheet metal that makes the edge of the hole for the light bucket. Note to the OP, don't overtighten the screws, or you will strip out the threads. Don't ask me how I know this please.
Click to expand...

This and its cast aluminum. Screws are black too and a flat head countersink not a oval head. I had a few. I don't know where they went. Its been several years since I dealt with this.
 
I solved the issue. I found a Phillips head machine screw of the right threads and right length although the head was a tad too big.

I lightly touched the bezel screw holes in the drill press to accommodate the bigger screws heads. It’s not perfect, but it’s a driver and not a concourse resto.

Now onto easier tasks than putting in new taillights...
 
Any pics ? I am curious now... and since I will need them soon it would be nice to be prepaired .
 
mbaird said:
Any pics ? I am curious now... and since I will need them soon it would be nice to be prepaired .
Click to expand...

Fastenal stores are all closed, so I reverted to my in house hardware store and found 8 that matched. The drill bit just lightly touched the bolt holes...I didn’t want to get carried away. In hindsight, I may hit the bottom holes a little more.

81E9F4F7-D3B3-4B83-95E4-52658F762723.jpeg


6C4E10FC-5B95-4E83-ABA8-82CC6E14878C.jpeg
 
Here is one of the screws I used.

Obviously not for a correct restoration, but I’m not doing that.

4B4F5730-8DEA-4F34-B49E-E3CA9298A4B7.jpeg
 
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