Nutty Question

Hey everyone,

I'm putting together an 8 3/4 for the wife's Duster, & find that I have none of those long nuts that hold the chuck to the housing. Are those 3/8x24?
The die goes on to the studs a certain amount, then stops.
A friend says that I'll be ok using regular nuts with lock washers. I'm just looking for the right thread size.

Sorry for the bad pun; it's been a long Monday!

Thanks

Dave