TR2/3/3A Need Help with a "THREAD SIZE" for a TR3:

[KVH]

Re: Need Help with a "THREAD SIZE"/Chasers

OK, now I'm really interested.

In the past, I've looked for thread chasers, and called the local tool shops. The only shop who knew what they were had a set in stock for $180. I passed.

I didn't call Sears or check McMasters, but clearly I should have. I believe I did call Harbor Freight to no avail.

More importantly, I have been "stressing" a bit about using taps and dies to fix some of the preset threads in the body of my TR4A. For example, the threads in the preset, welded nuts in the floor boards seemed very irregular, and the bolts just would not go back in smoothly.

Same problem for a preset nut up under the dash.

I then had problems with the two preset nuts in the radiator support bracket in the front of the car, and the same problem with a nut for the front crash tube/brace that guards the engine.

For all, I used some cutting oil and very carefully (gently) reworked the threads with a standard tap. Everything seemed to go back together well and tight. However, I did note a slight bit more play in the bolts as I finger-tightened them in. Bothered me a bit.

Can I stop losing sleep?

 

[TR3driver]

Re: Need Help with a "THREAD SIZE"/Chasers

Can I stop losing sleep?

My opinion, yes. I went over most of the captive nuts in both the 3A and the 3 with a 1/4NF tap mounted to a 3/8" air ratchet. New bolts went in finger-easy, snugged down and held just fine. Even when the 3A got totaled, the bolts pulled through the sheet metal rather than breaking or stripping.

 

[sp53]

Re: Need Help with a "THREAD SIZE"/Chasers

That is a heartbreaking picture Randall; that still really looks like a solid car. Is that pretty much the extent of damage? Perhaps the suspension? I have heard you say that some suspension part broke? Is that the car? Anyways, it looks like it could be fixed for less than 15,000.
Steve

 

[TR3driver]

Re: Need Help with a "THREAD SIZE"/Chasers

Is that pretty much the extent of damage?

No, unfortunately, that's just the only picture I took (quite a bit after the fact). The trunk was also caved in rather badly, took a lot of prying to even recover the spare tire from it's compartment; and both rear fenders were ruined beyond repair. There is also a lot of distortion around both B-posts, and as I noted before the RF suspension was partially ripped out of the frame.

$15k probably would fix it up, but in both my and the insurance company's opinion, the car wasn't worth that much. It was by no means 'restored' before the accident, and in fact needed the floors replaced (and many of the interior panels). Instead, for about $4k, I picked up my 56 that was (reasonably) straight and rust-free. There is still some work to do, but it's in about the same condition now that the 59 was in before being wrecked.

PS, the old hulk is still sitting in my driveway. One of my resolutions is to get rid of it soon. No one seems to want to come take it away, so I guess I'm going to have to section it and drag it to the recycler's myself.