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license plate bracket

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emmett1010

Jedi Hopeful
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Hi guys;
As I'm assembling and mounting body panels on my tr3, I noticed that the license plate bolt holes in the spare tire cover are much closer together than the holes in my license plate!
Sorry if this is a dumb question, but what does one do to solve this delimma?
While I'm on the subject of dumb questions, what size tap drill do I use to thread 1/4 by 28 taps through?
After foolishly questioning Randall, it seems the easy and quickest way to obtain 1/2 diameter square nuts is to make them.
I bought a foot of 1/2 keystock, and am now in the business.
Thanks for all the help and encouragement,
Emmett
 
Emmett,
I've used a plastic license plate holder (kind of a bar with two longitudinal sections) that lined up with the original holes and then tapped the horizontal for the license. It holds the plate far enough off of the car for the paint and is non marring by its nature.
I got it at a flaps a few years ago...measure the holes in the cover and go looking.
 
Mine is bolted directly through the spare tire cover. It came that way when I bought it. I added black rubber plumbing washers between the plate and the body as standoffs.
 
Emmett, our TR3 had a metal bracket that bolts up to the spare tire cover and holds the license plate proud of the cover so it doesn't cause scratches. This bracket has long slots on either side so you can bolt up any width plate to it. I restored one for our car but believe I have a spare. Might need to be banged out straight and repainted, but if you want it, I'd be happy to ship it to you. PM me with your shipping address if you are interested.
 
The metal bracket Craig describes is a better solution, but my cars have simply been drilled for the US-spec plates. I suspect it was up to the US dealers to solve this little problem, so likely it depends. I use nylon washers to stand the plate up a bit (so it fits the club frame better). Also nylon bolts & nuts to reduce rust.

The 'standard' tap drill for 1/4-28 is a #3 (.213") for 75% threads. However if you don't happen to have a number set handy, 7/32 (.21875") will give approximately 70% threads, which should work just fine in this application. The tips of the threads don't contribute much strength anyway.
 
7/32 drill bit, and a free bracket-- is this a great forum or what!
Now if I could just get you guys over to help sand--
Thanks very much,
Emmett
 
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