AGVI

What size bolt is used for the battery hold down clamp?

TIA, Les

oldsarge

That bolt is 5/16 C x 1 1/2" long.

AGVI

Thank you Brian.

gbvette62

The bolt is a 5/16-18 x 1 1/2", 1/2" hex head, automotive body bolt. Original bolts came with either a captive washer, or a hex washer head (the hex head flares to create a washer effect).

Body bolts have a machine thread with a pointed end, making them easier to install, and get started, in the hole. A body bolt is a lot easier to get started, down in that dark battery compartment.

You should be able to get correct body bolts, from a local auto parts store, or any of the Corvette vendors.

Spocc

i use a 1/2 socket, with a 6" extension , usually with me wearing a forehead mounted flashlight

you would think they could have made that compartment just a little bigger...

Pete

StingrayLust

I tried using the correct bolt, I really did, but could never get the threads to go as the bolt was too short. Here's my thread on the subject.

gbvette62

From looking at your previous post, if you were installing the hold down clamp, as you showed it in the photos, you had it up side down. Installing it that way, the bolt will never be long enough!

The clamp gets installed so that the lip of the clamp, goes against the ridge molded into the side of the battery. When installed correctly, the bolt sits down inside the clamp.

StingrayLust

I thought like you as well at first when I was trying to get it to work. So when I tried it the other way and it was much worse. So I've put it in the way you see in my thread.

Since you asked, I just now went and looked in my '71 AIM on page L254. It clearly shows that the way I put it in is correct.

Here's a pic that shows what I see in my AIM.