body and interior Trunk Floor Retaining Screws Question.

[richardr]

I seem to recall that either early or late cars had small phillips screws that held the trunk floor over the gas tank down.  Or maybe my memory is in error and there never were any such screws.   Anyone have the details on these screws?

 

Thanks.

[1972-2002]

there were stainless screws in my '72 trunk panels.

 

Garry

[Stevenc22]

There were no screws on my 1976

[TobyB]

Never came across any either, although they would have made good sense...

 

t

[TR]

my '73 tii has them.  They screw into the beam that divides the tank area from the spare tire area and then also into the support brackets holding up the other edges of the gas tank trunk board.  Not sure about the screw size, etc. - they are packed away at the moment.

[Chamoix]

My 73 car has them as we'll. With small stainless grommets under the head that usually stay with the board when I remove the screws. Car is at a local shop or I'd take a pic.

[Conserv]

Although the left rear trunk panel was a press fit, the right rear trunk panel was secured by screws on my '67, '70, and '76. My '76 retains its original 5 screws with finishing washers, as illustrated below. My '76's screws and washers are either plated or of inferior stainless steel, as they are rusty! I have not had them replated, as I was uncertain of the original material and finish. They are, of course, NLA: I have inquired! Perhaps it's cheap stainless, perhaps it's chrome, perhaps it's something different. It's not cadmium or yellow zinc. I tried matching the size at my local ACE Hardware and came up with nothing.

Many trunk panels and/or their coverings are newer replacements and hence missing their screw holes. If you look, however, at the underlying trunk floor framing, you should find 2 screw holes on the center reinforcemnt, 1 screw hole on the forward reinforcement, 1 screw hole on a right tab, and 1 screw hole on the aft reinforcement.

Steve

Edited September 4, 2013 by Conserv

[jgerock]

I believe they are the same screws used to secure the front seat backing pieces and the front part of the carpet next to the seat rails on the early cars (like my 69).  I have seen those little capture washer pieces at Lowe's or Home Depot in the hardware drawers.  

[John_in_VA]

My '70, '74 tii, & '76 all had screws & escutcheons, as Conserv depicted, holding the panel in place over the fuel tank.

[Napes]

"Conserv" js correct on the screw placement.  The hard part is finding new "Countersunk flush chrome washers" to go under the screws.  Mike S. and I have been looking for over a year now with no luck.  They are #4 in size.  I did locate some at an online supplier but had to order a minum of 250, so I passed.

 

If anyone locates a source I'd appreciate the info.

 

Bob Napier

 

r.napier@mchsi.com

[Conserv]

The hard part is finding new "Countersunk flush chrome washers" to go under the screws.  Mike S. and I have been looking for over a year now with no luck.  They are #4 in size.  I did locate some at an online supplier but had to order a minum of 250, so I passed.

 

So, Bob, have you replaced the screws as well? #4 (well, perhaps a metric equivalent, but close would work for me given the rarity of these things), oval-Philips-head screws? But the finish? If someone told me these were chrome-plated steel screws, I'd probably believe them. And, yes, they do appear to be the same as/similar to the screws used in earlier cars' seatbacks, as Jim mentions above.

Every time one of these "minor annoyance" issues comes up, it reminds me that there are lots of us struggling simultaneously with the same issue!

Thanks and regards,

Steve

[FunkyLaneO]

Go to the local boat store (like West Marine), you can get the washers and dome head phillips screws in stainless there, usually can be purchased per piece.

[jgerock]

Go to the local boat store (like West Marine), you can get the washers and dome head phillips screws in stainless there, usually can be purchased per piece.

I have two West Marine stores close to me.  I may try to stop in to one this Friday with a sample for comparison...

 

Thanks for the reminder.

 

I would also visit my local upholstery shop near work but they are too pricey for supplies.

[layers]

Hi--

 

These screws and escutcheon washers are not stainless steel but nickel-plated steel.  They look about like stainless steel which is a more exotic alloy (it has some nickel in it) and will not rust.

 

Larry

[esty]

lowe's and home depot have the escutcheons in assorted sizes as well as stainless philips head screws to fit