Marker light/bezel

Technical Question and Answer - On topic to 71-74 Plymouth B-bodies only.

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PasiR
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Marker light/bezel

Post by PasiR » Fri Oct 25, 2013 11:24 am

Who sell correct attaching nuts for light/bezel assy?

71_bronze_gtx
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Re: Marker light/bezel

Post by 71_bronze_gtx » Fri Nov 01, 2013 8:11 am

As you've probably guessed by now, nobody knows where to get these strange nuts that Plymouth used. I'm missing a couple.

Aside from a lucky score at a swap meet, I think the best substitute would be what I call a "speednut", which is a nut stamped out of sheet metal - typically high carbon steel, and treated to the same characteristics as spring steel. Speednut may not be the correct term. Finding ones with the right thread diameter will be important. The bezels are "potmetal" - soft but brittle. They'll take a thread cut easily, but also break easily.

Another possibility might be nylon nuts, if the right thread diameter exists. Might need to be metric.

Good luck

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Re: Marker light/bezel

Post by moparite » Fri Nov 01, 2013 10:31 am

I think they used a flanged style nut if memory serves me. http://www.mcmaster.com/#nuts/=p6v9wk
Click on speed nuts.

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Eric
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Re: Marker light/bezel

Post by Eric » Fri Nov 01, 2013 12:51 pm

This is what they should look like, although I'm not sure this is the correct size. Give Tom at R/T a call, I'd be surprised if he didn't have them.

http://www.rtspecialties.net/proddetail ... od=1000139
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Re: Marker light/bezel

Post by general » Fri Nov 01, 2013 7:56 pm

What you need is called a #10 Stud Size Pal Nut. They don't make them any more. I had a hell of a time finding enough to do my sidemarkers. I cleaned up some old ones I had and just put in more sealer. Tom at R/T did find me a couple that I was short. This was last year. Call him he may have some left. Be aware its not the same as a #10-24. I tried using a #10-24 on an old set of bezels I had, it did not go well.

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Re: Marker light/bezel

Post by kenny » Fri Nov 01, 2013 9:53 pm

I got some of the ones Eric pictured however like stated they are not the correct size i did use some though i took a small philips screw driver and knocked it into the thread end with a hammer to open the self cutting threads up it worked but not great.

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Re: Marker light/bezel

Post by 71_bronze_gtx » Fri Nov 01, 2013 10:09 pm

The PAL NUT is the same as what I called a speednut. If a standard thread size does not fit the studs on the bezel, the nut could be drilled out to get an acceptable fit. You would have to use a caliper or micrometer to measure the diameter of the stud on the bezel, the drill the nut out to an inside diameter of about .005" - .007" less.

Note that the PAL Nut or speednut is not what was used originally. Eric had it - it looks like an elongated acorn nut. Mine were covered with paint or undercoat, and I was under the car, but I think they were potmetal. If I recall, a 7/16 deepwall socket fit them.

I just ordered 2 bezels from PG Classic because one of mine is bent up. I can add more measurement info after they arrive...

PasiR
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Re: Marker light/bezel

Post by PasiR » Sun Nov 03, 2013 7:16 pm

Guys, thanks for the feedback! I have a couple of originals, they work well. Repros are garbage, can't get them tight enough.

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Re: Marker light/bezel

Post by Eric » Sun Nov 03, 2013 8:59 pm

PasiR wrote:Guys, thanks for the feedback! I have a couple of originals, they work well. Repros are garbage, can't get them tight enough.
The reason for this may be that the nuts are self tapping. The bezels are not threaded before the nut is attached the first time. Trying to use a different nut than the original that tapped the stud on the bezel could result in a loose fit.
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Re: Marker light/bezel

Post by PasiR » Fri Nov 15, 2013 10:08 am

Contacted a friend of mine in Minnesota and package arrived today, now I have correct original nuts for bezels!! :)

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