I got all my clips ordered and I thought that they would be the same thread as the original flange nuts, what a stupid thought right? Anyways, the company (Cars inc, www.oldbuickparts.com) was nice enough to send me thin nuts, 1/2 ht nuts, jam nuts whatever you wanna call them. So I could go a few routes here.... 1.Order some flange nuts off mcmaster 2. Nylocks and a fender washer 3. fender Washer, lock washer and use jam nuts supplied. Has anyone gone the routes above and had a bad experience with one or the other? I'm finally putting my 57 buick century back together for my wedding (fiance is crackin the whip already) and I really don't want to have to do this again seeing as how its already apart, the windows are out etc... thanks for your help... AJ Here are some pictures of the old clips/nuts and the new ones...
Don't you just love ordering what you think is the correct , American made quality products that your car came with when it was built , then all you get is a cheap chinese all size fits all product that doesn't come close to what it should really be ! Been there to many times and getting really tired of spending good money for cheap import chinese products that aren't the ones that fit the car or even come close ! Then they rust and brake very easily . When it comes to trim hardware like you have , I learned to make my own so I know they will fit and work properly . It really does **** and there is no excuse for the **** we receive for the prices these catalogs charge use . I really prefer buying these kind of items at the bigger car shows so I know what I am getting a head of time ! Retro Jim
yeah no joke, just for my trim moulding and and some "self thread cap nuts" it was $100....I will be sending back each piece in a 4.95 flat rate box and getting my money back. I wish I had the time to make this many clips myself. Also wish I had tig capabilities to make em stainless.... Anyone else have any ideas?
I actually ended up using some standard GM clips that you can find at the HELP section in some auto parts stores . The small ones I needed were too hard to make so I bought some of those and they works out pretty well . Then you can buy the nuts with the washers attached to them . maybe that will work some . At least you can see what they look like first hand ! Retro Jim
I would send the whole lot back and get these; http://www.ebay.com/itm/NOS-1-2-5-8-Trim-Molding-Clips-and-Nuts-Made-in-USA-x10-/251007712399?pt=Vintage_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&fits=Make%3ABuick%7CModel%3ASpecial%7CYear%3A1957&hash=item3a7139bc8f&vxp=mtr The guy's in Cali so you'll have 'em in time.
I like using stopnuts, with fender washers. The reason is, with regular nuts, you have to tighten them down a bit, to keep them from loosening up. On cars with long straight sides, and some bodywork, this may pull the panel into waves. BY using stopnuts, you can just get them snug, and stop. No more waves!
nylocks and sealing washers are the best, or use nylock and fender washers with "dumb-dunb" under the washers. if the nylock nuts have to much friction and twist the clips, run them down a bolt first to "break" them in.
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