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By slumlord444 - 13 Years Ago
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One of the screws that holds the chrome trim that holds the dash pad over the instrument cluster stripped out. I think it is a #8 screw. Don't want to go to the next larger screw. Thought about drilling it out for a small plastic screw anchor and glueing it in. Metal is 1/16 to 1/8 thick. For some reason my brain is not coming up with another option today. Better way to fix it?
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By stuey - 13 Years Ago
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morning Slumlord thats a bummer but not uncommon.....if you can access the edge a "j" or "u" nut would be good. they use them in washing machines etc. also flat nuts do the same thing but would have to be held in place. i think McMaster Carr has them and i've seen them in an Auveco catalogue but you would have to find a distributor. i tend to replace sheet metal screws with nutserts but that raises the surface slightly but you can then use regular machine screws all the best stuey
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By Doug T - 13 Years Ago
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You might be able to use the next larger screw. I am assuming that it is typical of other visible Phillips head screws used for trim in T birds. Put the new screw in a hand held electric drill and then running the drill, grind the side of the head on a regular grinder. Reduce the head of the new screw to the size of the old one measure with a mike to be real close. The only problem with this is that the cross might be visibly bigger in the new screw head than the old one, but I doubt that anyone would notice the difference except a real good show judge.
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By Hoosier Hurricane - 13 Years Ago
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The grinding down of the screw head is not necessary. You can buy a #10 trim screw with a #8 head.
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By slumlord444 - 13 Years Ago
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That would be geat. Where would I find such an animal?
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By paul2748 - 13 Years Ago
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Can you access the back? If so, get a small piece of thin sheet metal (doesn't have to be more than 1/2 x 1/2, drill the proper size hole and put the small piece in the back screw the screw into it.
Another thing that works for me is to get a very thin cotter pin, even it up length wise, bend about 3/8 of an inch of the "legs" outward, slightly pull it apart and insert it in the hole. This tightens up the hole.
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By slumlord444 - 13 Years Ago
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Thinking about epoxying a piece of sheetmetal on the outside of the dash with the pilot hole in it. Don't think it would be noticeable when the trim is in place. The dash pad material should compress enough that it should not be a problem.
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By Hoosier Hurricane - 13 Years Ago
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Try the local auto upholstery shop for the screw, since you probably only need one. I have bought them at NAPA, but they come in boxes of maybe 25. I have also used the cotter pin trick.
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By lyonroad - 13 Years Ago
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Slumloard, if you go with the piece of sheet metal cut it into a shape so that it will jam when you tighten the screw, just in case the epoxy lets go. Preferably it should jam in both directions so you can get off if necessary. I've even cut the sheet metal so it can bridge to the next screw and be held in place by two screws. You'll figure it out. Mark
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