[DeTomaso] How many threads needed for lug nut engagement?

[JDeRyke at aol.com]

Rule of Thumb on thread engagement: there should be at minimum one thread 
showing past the nut. In the case of blind nuts, engaged threads should be as 
long as the nut is wide, plus one thread. To my knowlege, very few casual 
tech inspectors check this, even though most Pantera lug nuts have a 
swedged-on cap that comes off with a light tap using a hammer and drift. Once off, 
of course, it shouldn't go back on.
Real-racers must do this, or they buy open-end nuts and longer-than-stock 
studs to verify more-than-minimum thread engagement. If you do this to your 
street Pantera, do not fall over in shock at the amount of rust and crap that 
comes out of the nuts with the lug-caps. That chrome plating was only done 
on the outside; the inside was unprotected mild steel. Cheers- J Deryke