Body / Glass: 53 rear bumper filler panel scews

[dclewallen]

On a 53 K body Studebaker, what size and type are the screws that hold the rear bumper filler panel to the body? My car has a new paint job and zero hardware also is there a manual that would give me this information along with the sizes of other bolts and screws on this vehicle? Thanks for any help on this as I'm trying to put back together my car after someone else took it apart and left me without a lot of the screws and bolts required to put it back together. Thanks in advance, Darryl Lewallen

[tsenecal]

If I'm not sure on sheet metal screw size, I usually start with small (#4, or #6) and see if they tighten up snug. If not, just move up a size at a time, till they feel like they fit. I'm guessing that the filler panel will take a #8, by 1/2", but not positive.

[(S)]

Both 53 and 63 C/k I have here use the same self tapper with built in washer style head.

It is the same bolt that most models use to hold the radiator to the saddle... Larks Hawks etc all the same....

[RadioRoy]

There is a manual. It's called the chassis parts catalog. If you buy one and read it, you will be amazed at the amount of information contained therein.

[swvalcon]

I believe these are hidden by the bumper once it is installed. So what ever size it takes to fit the hole should be fine.

[Jeff_H]

Per my notes from 1997:



Looks like phillips head sheet metal screws. 3/8" diameter heads with 1/2" long threads. Could be #8 or #10 ???

My recollection is the heads are dome shaped and not the typical hardware store screws but not hard to find close enough ones if that matters.

[(S)]

Sorry, I was looking at the lower, body filler/ exhaust panel. They should be a large phillips. I think they are the same as the tailight housings.

[Jeff_H]

That attachment I posted also shows the bolts that hold the "gravel deflector" to the frame if that is what you were looking at. The filler panel is at the top between the body under trunk lower weather seal and the bumper. Attached to body. The gravel deflector is at the bottom under bumper attached to the frame.

Note that '53's (maybe a midyear change too....) do not have the larger formed part that is painted body color and has a notch for the exhaust. Those came with '54's. I suspect many have been changed over the years.

Some prior posts on this topic (lower gravel deflector/filler):

http://forum.studebakerdriversclub.c...avel+deflector

http://forum.studebakerdriversclub.c...avel+deflector

The bolts for that part at least for the earlier version are large actual self threading bolts as per the notes.

[altair]

I think the 53s and 54s are mounted the same there are three machine screws 5/16-24 thread X 1/2" X 1/2" hex head

[altair]

Error/correction 5/16 x 18 threads per inch.

[Jeff_H]

Altair, I see from my notes I had them as 1/4-20 bolts but I am sure you are correct they are 5/16-18. I know that most every other bolt in my car was that diameter. I was able to find the right sort of bolts with those flared heads at a local surplus hardware place that often had stuff not usually easy to find. Same (except shorter) as the ones holding the front fender aprons to the core support and other places.

[dclewallen]

Thanks all for the info, think I'll just run by Fastenal or Ace and see what they have, also thanks Roy for info on the chassis parts catalog. I knew there were different manuals [ I've got two shop manuals] but I did not know which of the other ones had the information I need. I see in my SI catalog, Body manuals that include 53 cars listed under Body and Chassis manuals, is this the right one? Again Thanks all for the replies and answers.

[RadioRoy]

There is a 53-58 body parts catalog and a 51-54 chassis parts catalog. You should get both.

[rockne10]

I see in my SI catalog, Body manuals that include 53 cars listed under Body and Chassis manuals, is this the right one?

Yes; you should procure them both. If you already have the Shop Manual, those three books should be all you need.

I do hope everyone clearly understands the difference between the "gravel deflector" and the "deflector, filler panel", which I believe was Darryl's initial inquiry.
Dave's photo is of a gravel deflector that goes below the bumper and attaches to the frame. That is not the filler panel, which screws to the body just below the trunk lid opening.

[tsenecal]

Agreed, Rockne 10. My reply about the #8 screws was in reference to the filler panel, which I just installed on my Hawk, a couple of months ago. The same screws had a couple of tabs to support the taillight wiring.