[DeTomaso] Knurled bolts foe fuse box lids.

[Chris Difani]

Boyd:

On your replacement knurled "finger" bolts. This is what I did when I was faced with this same problem. 

My local Ace Hardware has an outstanding selection of nuts and bolts. Absolutely outstanding! Unfortunately they didn't have knurled finger bolts... But what they did have are socket head cap screws (SHCS) in the correct size. These are the little bolts that use a hex, or Allen wrench to turn them. 

Unfortunately these are still too small for a good "finger bolt". So I kept looking, and came across another jewel. What I found was a "press on" plastic cap for the socket head cap screws. These caps come in sizes to fit both metric, and SAE/imperial socket head  cap screws. They're a black plastic, and come in round, or "wing" styles. Personally I used the round style cap. 

To "make" these finger bolts, you place the plastic cap on top of the SHCS cap, and then press them together in your vise, or small press. They take quite a bit of pressure to join, and when they're "together", they won't come off... The knurls, or striations on the perimeter of the head of the SHCS make for a very secure join when the head is pressed into the malleable plastic. 

I also bought two small "O rings", which I used as retainers on the SHCS. Since I did this, I haven't had a single problem with my new finger bolts falling out of position. 

Hope this helps,

Chris

Chris Difani
'73 L #5829 "LITNNG"
The Electric Pantera
Sacramento, CA
Email: cdifani at pacbell.net 


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----- Original Message ----- 
From: "boyd casey" <boyd411 at gmail.com>
To: <detomaso at realbig.com>
Sent: Sunday, November 02, 2008 10:52 AM
Subject: [DeTomaso] Knurled bolts foe fuse box lids.


> Some moron mechanic that I brought my Pantera to when I first bought it lost
> the two brass knurled bolts that screw in to keep the fuse and relay doors
> closed. I made the mistake of thinking that since a Pantera had a relativly
> simple V8 with no computers I could save some money by going to a run of the
> mill wrench. Boy was I wrong. Anyway live and learn. I need a find
> replacements for these two bolts . I also have an extra ZF 5spd transaxel
> and a stock steel rear deck lid. I am not sure if I will sell these or save
> them for a rainy day, but if I were interested in selling ( to raise money
> for some off the other mods I want to male at some future date. I am
> intersted in hearing any suggestion as to where I should list them and what
> a good starting price would be. I don't think they will go down in value and
> I am undecided about making any expensive mods so I am not particularly
> motivated to sell.
> Anyone wishing to voice an opinion would be welcome.
> 
> Boyd 73L # 5783
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