Liftgate hinge bolts

[Chevynut]

Can anyone tell me the original size of the Nomad liftgate hinge bolts that attach the liftgate to the hinge? There are 4 of them per hinge. Thanks.

[TheHotrodHandyman]

The last one I did was a 56 and I'm pretty sure it had 1/4 x 28 x 3/4 bolts. If you get the liftgate hardware kit from OL'55 in PA it has all the correct hardware. Be careful, I had a guy put bolts that were too long in and blew out his rear glass.:rolleyes:

-Bruce

[Chevynut]

Thanks Bruce. Turns out my bolt holes apparently have been re-drilled and tapped for 5/16-18 by the PO. That had to have been in the 60's!! Wonder why he did that. :confused:

How big are the holes in the hinge itself? I thought 5/16 was the original size because the bolts fit the hinge too. He must have drilled them out too.

I have two holes that are stripped, and I plan to put 5/16 heli-coils in them when I get the liftgate back. In fact, I may helicoil all of them. The 5/16" bolts seem to fit fine.

Mike sent me some pics after some initial liftgate straightening and it looks a LOT BETTER already!! :)

[TheHotrodHandyman]

They must have been drilled out at some point in time. Do yourself a big favor and heli coil all of them. The pot metal gets weak with age and the threads may give a bit over time causing the bolts to loosen up on you. As I mentioned before, Watch the overall length very carefully or you will destroy the glass.:eek:

-Bruce

[Chevynut]

As I mentioned before, Watch the overall length very carefully or you will destroy the glass.:eek:

-Bruce

Bruce, I'm not sure I see how the bolts can even touch the glass. They're above it in the top of the frame, aren't they?

[TheHotrodHandyman]

Bruce, I'm not sure I see how the bolts can even touch the glass. They're above it in the top of the frame, aren't they?

They are almost directly inline with the edge of the glass. If you put a bolt longer than needed it will intrude into the channel the glass sits in and its all over but the crying at that point.:eek:

-Bruce