I'm finally getting the heads of the outer door skin fasteners cleaned out to accept the T35 bit so I can remove them. But just in case I damage one or seven of them in the process, does anybody know of a reliable source for these silly things? Just by myself, if things go as bad as they can, I could end up using 42 of them at one time. I'm not opposed to making something else work, but the original genuine article just looks right. Any input is appreciated. Thanks in advance - Chris
Are these the bolts with the large black-plastic-covered head? New ones used to be available.... Used to. Maybe the source has dried up because I don't see them any more.
If you're unscrewing the old ones, you can improve your odds of removing them successfully if you first take a razor blade and slice off the black plastic covering from the face of the bolt. There is another Torx (or Phillips if you have an '84) there in the metal bolt which you are much less likely to strip. Use the appropriate Torx socket in a ratchet instead of a regular screwdriver-style Torx.
Thanks, css9450. I read that advice in fierohoho's (I think) thread on removing the skins, and it's the only way I've been able to get ANY of the screws to budge. Actually been using a die grinder and a 120-grit disc to make the plastic go away. Then a little bitty flat screwdriver to dig the plastic out of the head, then the T35 bit to get the screws out. Ugh! But if it makes the wife happy,... I saw where someone had a set (one door's worth) of those screws on ebay. Can't remember seeing whether they had any more than the one bag of seven, but they showed to be from Auveco. Their website hasn't showed me any yet, but I'm not done looking.
Thanks, batboy. Yep, that's the same seller I spotted earlier. I was hoping to find them still available from the original supplier or another aftermarket source with an enormous supply. I'm sure something else could be pressed into service when it becomes necessary, I would just rather that not be right now.
Thanks, batboy. Yep, that's the same seller I spotted earlier. I was hoping to find them still available from the original supplier or another aftermarket source with an enormous supply. I'm sure something else could be pressed into service when it becomes necessary, I would just rather that not be right now.
No worries the plastic coated fasteners that hold the door skin can almost always be reused. As pointed out once the plastic is scraped away from the head area around the hex it exposes the steel hex that enable the screw to be removed with a standard hex bit. When finished you can recoat those screws with electric spray insulation or black "Liquid Tape"
------------------ " THE BLACK PARALYZER" -87GT 3800SC Series III engine, custom ZZP /Frozen Boost Intercooler setup, 3.4" Pulley, Northstar TB, LS1 MAF, 3" Spintech/Hedman Exhaust, P-log Manifold, Autolite 104's, MSD wires, Custom CAI, 4T65eHD w. custom axles, Champion Radiator, S10 Brake Booster, HP Tuners VCM Suite. "THE COLUSSUS" 87GT - ALL OUT 3.4L Turbocharged engine, Garrett Hybrid Turbo, MSD ign., modified TH125H " ON THE LOOSE WITHOUT THE JUICE "
Thanks, Dennis and Mike. Yep, I ended up shaving/grinding the plastic off of the heads, then digging the remaining plastic out of the recesses in the heads, and finally using a borrowed T35 bit to loosen and turn them out. I'm open to the idea of a 2-piece fastener system to replace them; looks like I'm going to have to learn more about thingiverse and 3d printing...
A price of $24.99 for just seven small hex screws is highway robbery. As I said if you need to scrape the old bolt head to expose the hex, black Liquid Tape or black plasti dip coating spray will do a great job of re-coating them. Don't allow the price gougers to steal your hard earned money.
------------------ " THE BLACK PARALYZER" -87GT 3800SC Series III engine, custom ZZP /Frozen Boost Intercooler setup, 3.4" Pulley, Northstar TB, LS1 MAF, 3" Spintech/Hedman Exhaust, P-log Manifold, Autolite 104's, MSD wires, Custom CAI, 4T65eHD w. custom axles, Champion Radiator, S10 Brake Booster, HP Tuners VCM Suite. "THE COLUSSUS" 87GT - ALL OUT 3.4L Turbocharged engine, Garrett Hybrid Turbo, MSD ign., modified TH125H " ON THE LOOSE WITHOUT THE JUICE "
