Transmission Crossmember Retaining Nuts
Printed From: The Ford Torino Page
Category: Model Specific Forum
Forum Name: 1972-1976 Ford and Mercury
Forum Description: Technical discussion for 1972-1976 Ford and Mercury
URL: https://forum.grantorinosport.org/forum_posts.asp?TID=17409
Printed Date: 23-April-2024 at 6:14AM
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 12.06 - https://www.webwizforums.com
Topic: Transmission Crossmember Retaining Nuts
Posted By: RandyF
Subject: Transmission Crossmember Retaining Nuts
Date Posted: 30-August-2018 at 10:07AM
|
Has anyone found a suitable replacement for the special nut used inside the frame rails to mount the automatic transmission's crossmember? I got one removed successfully for reuse, but the other twisted the bolt off when I tried to remove it. I may have to be creative about making one if no one has found a suitable alternative. I have checked other Ford reproduction parts suppliers and have not found one yet. Thanks for any input on this subject. Randy ------------- Randy |
Replies:
Posted By: Rockatansky
Date Posted: 30-August-2018 at 10:36AM
|
if the nut and bracket are OK, tack / weld the nut to reinforce it to the bracket and weld another nut to the broken bolt to use a wrench to remove it. the welding heat should release the broken bolt. then chase the threads, lube with anti seize and you're back in business might actually be easier to just make a new one though, 1" x 16ga strap bent to a U and weld it to a nut if you're not a Concourse restoration kinda guy ------------- 72 GT Ute |
Posted By: RandyF
Date Posted: 30-August-2018 at 10:56AM
|
Thanks. That scenario is my fallback plan if I can't find something that will work made by Ford or even other manufacturers. It really is hidden for all practical purposes, so concurs isn't an issue as far as I am concerned. I have to pull this crossmember off to get the engine and transmission out, so I was hoping to find a good solution when I put it back together. Right now it just has a nut and washer tightened as best I could with a wrench I made to fit into the frame. ------------- Randy |
Posted By: Danno
Date Posted: 30-August-2018 at 11:13AM
|
I found a supplier online, after an exhaustive search. Let me pull the invoice and get you the info. It was a perfect fit replacement. ------------- Danno |
Posted By: Danno
Date Posted: 30-August-2018 at 11:23AM
|
NOS PARTS LTD in Waxahachie Texas. Part # 384650S2 Nut-Bolt-Clip. Call for price. I got 2 for $14 each. They only had a few left in stock. 972-937-2201. FYI, tech manual calls this “Ford Clip Nut.” ------------- Danno |
Posted By: 72FordGTS
Date Posted: 30-August-2018 at 12:02PM
Both of mine broke when I removed them. I just used new hardware to make something way stronger than the weak OEM clips.  ------------- Vince 1972 Ford GTS Sportsroof - Survivor, One Family car GTS.org Admin |
Posted By: RandyF
Date Posted: 30-August-2018 at 3:28PM
|
Fantastic responses and much appreciated, ------------- Randy |
Posted By: californiajohnny
Date Posted: 30-August-2018 at 4:42PM
damn vince, that's some pretty good looking welds!!  i feel unworthy  and i've been welding since i was 10!!!------------- JOHN 74 GRAN TORINO S&H CLONE 74 VETTE CUSTOM 90 S10 BLAZER 4X4 LIFTED 77 CELICA CUSTOM 75 V8 MONZA SUPERCHARGED 79 COURIER VERT. SLAMMED 75 VEGA V6 5 SPD 70 CHEV C10 P/U 68 MUSTANG FB CONVERSION |
Posted By: 72FordGTS
Date Posted: 31-August-2018 at 12:43PM
I wish I could take credit for the welds, but it was by brother-in-law. He's a millwright by trade and can pretty much weld any type of metal. He's a super talented guy. ------------- Vince 1972 Ford GTS Sportsroof - Survivor, One Family car GTS.org Admin |
californiajohnny wrote:Posted By: californiajohnny
Date Posted: 31-August-2018 at 3:31PM
------------- JOHN 74 GRAN TORINO S&H CLONE 74 VETTE CUSTOM 90 S10 BLAZER 4X4 LIFTED 77 CELICA CUSTOM 75 V8 MONZA SUPERCHARGED 79 COURIER VERT. SLAMMED 75 VEGA V6 5 SPD 70 CHEV C10 P/U 68 MUSTANG FB CONVERSION |
Posted By: Restring
Date Posted: 15-October-2018 at 10:25AM
| Nice looking clips....what size is the bolt? Thx. |
Posted By: 72FordGTS
Date Posted: 15-October-2018 at 12:32PM
|
They are 5/8s bolts, same size as the originals. ------------- Vince 1972 Ford GTS Sportsroof - Survivor, One Family car GTS.org Admin |
Posted By: Restring
Date Posted: 15-October-2018 at 1:13PM
|
Thank you for that quick response. Just what I needed to know. I didn't not have any of the fasteners for the cross member. Thank you. |
Posted By: RandyF
Date Posted: 16-October-2018 at 2:13AM
|
Thanks for everyone's suggestions on this. I just made my replacements last weekend. I bought a galvanized (not just plated) 1" x 1/8" right angle bracket at Menard's and cut it in two pieces to yield enough material to make the two needed. A cardboard template was made to fit in the frame original mounting including the front locator tabs. With hacksaw and grinder I shaped the metal parts finally hammering the 90 degree tabs into shape. Drilled out the hole to provide clearance for the bolt (make it big enough to clear the nut sufficiently). Welded on the nut as shown in Vince's post. You have to grind off the galvanizing and plating to make a good weld, then clean it all up for primer and paint. Maybe a lot of extra work on the tabs, but it looks like OE from the bottom. Randy ------------- Randy |
Posted By: fordismyboss
Date Posted: 16-October-2018 at 4:09AM
|
I tried both of these designs and they both work great. Obviously putting the tab on the nut makes it look OEM.   |
Posted By: changinlatitudes
Date Posted: 16-October-2018 at 10:57AM
|
Ya know, if someone were to make some of these in their spare time, it'd sell, I think. Nice little side income for an item obviously needed. ------------- Matt 1969 Mercury Marauder 390 1972 Montego MX 2003 Mercury Marauder 300A 1994 F-150 5.8 2016 Ford Fusion Titanium |
Posted By: 72GTS351CJ
Date Posted: 16-October-2018 at 11:01AM
|
Put me in for a pair. ------------- 72GTS Clint Eastwood Special |
Posted By: californiajohnny
Date Posted: 16-October-2018 at 3:07PM
HMMM......... ------------- JOHN 74 GRAN TORINO S&H CLONE 74 VETTE CUSTOM 90 S10 BLAZER 4X4 LIFTED 77 CELICA CUSTOM 75 V8 MONZA SUPERCHARGED 79 COURIER VERT. SLAMMED 75 VEGA V6 5 SPD 70 CHEV C10 P/U 68 MUSTANG FB CONVERSION |
Posted By: changinlatitudes
Date Posted: 19-October-2018 at 9:29AM
|
John volunteers! What a guy! ------------- Matt 1969 Mercury Marauder 390 1972 Montego MX 2003 Mercury Marauder 300A 1994 F-150 5.8 2016 Ford Fusion Titanium |
Posted By: californiajohnny
Date Posted: 19-October-2018 at 2:45PM
|
i can... i'd have to look into material costs etc. ...
------------- JOHN 74 GRAN TORINO S&H CLONE 74 VETTE CUSTOM 90 S10 BLAZER 4X4 LIFTED 77 CELICA CUSTOM 75 V8 MONZA SUPERCHARGED 79 COURIER VERT. SLAMMED 75 VEGA V6 5 SPD 70 CHEV C10 P/U 68 MUSTANG FB CONVERSION |
Posted By: Rockatansky
Date Posted: 20-October-2018 at 6:48AM
|
non-magnetic / non-rusting Stainless Steel FTW  super simple production set-up, clamp a bolt into a vice threads up, place tab with through hole onto the bolt and thread down the nut. adjust bolt in the vice so no extra threads are able to catch spatter & foul the threads in the nut when you take it off. tack away! ------------- 72 GT Ute |
Posted By: 72FordGTS
Date Posted: 20-October-2018 at 12:08PM
|
I recently installed mine that I showed up above when I got my engine and trans installed. They work really well, much stronger than OEM. ------------- Vince 1972 Ford GTS Sportsroof - Survivor, One Family car GTS.org Admin |
Posted By: Big Bird
Date Posted: 21-October-2018 at 7:23AM
|
My buddy's car, (Mark V that had the crossmember mounts burned off) has bolts dropped in from the top. Because Beer kept us from thinking about a tab on a nut. ------------- "What we do in full frontal view, is more honest than your cleaned-up mind." Randy 1979 T-Bird 2005 F-150 STX RCSB 4.6, 3.55 LSD How the Heck does a REGULAR CAB SHORTBED weigh over 5200 pounds? |