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Old Jun 26, 2015 | 07:59 PM
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Default Standard/Metric

In what year did GM switch from standard nuts and bolts to metric on the Corvette?
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Old Jun 26, 2015 | 08:06 PM
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I'm not sure of any specific date, but I have read about both Metric and Fractional fasteners on both C4 and C5's.
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Old Jun 26, 2015 | 08:20 PM
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It started in the late 70s cars and I don't think it has ever fully been switched over to metric.
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Old Jun 26, 2015 | 08:23 PM
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The late model C3 has some metric fasteners.
It may have started with the switch to an aluminum rear end in 1980.
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Old Jun 26, 2015 | 10:40 PM
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Despite the other posts, the C5 is metric only. Of course, thee C6 and C7 are metric only as well.
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Old Jun 26, 2015 | 11:56 PM
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The 1982's were the first usage of metric fasteners on the TH700R4 and rear end.
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Old Jun 28, 2015 | 12:21 AM
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My 1980 had some and I am the original owner. The Dana 44 rear end is Metric. Under the Hood there were some bolts here and there. They were painted Blue. The Fan Belt adjustment Bolt on the Alternator was one. It was intended so that if you pulled into a service station ( what has become a Gas only station today) they could make Normal adjustments using only Metric Tools. I think the C4's were all Metric except for the Engine. I have found some modern bolts bought at home improvement stores that are SAE but a Metric Wrench fits the Head better. As if they changed the Threads but didn't bother with the Heads.
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Old Jun 28, 2015 | 10:18 AM
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Late 79 has metric too.
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Old Jun 28, 2015 | 11:11 AM
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My late '79 definitely has some metric fasteners. All that I've encountered so far are related to the electric system--ground connections, some switch fasteners, etc. Everything body and mechanical related I've encountered so far is SAE.
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Old Jun 28, 2015 | 11:54 AM
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Saginaw converted most steering fasteners to metric the 1980 model year. Here are specific changes made during the C3 model years:

1980 - The o-ring discharge fitting on the rear of the power steering pump, the tapped female mounting pads on the front of the pump, and the male studs on the rear of the pump were all revised to metric. The pressure hose male nut that screwed into the pump discharge fitting and the pipe connection was changed to metric o-ring.

The control valve, the assist ram, and the special mating hoses were never converted to metric since the C3 valve and adapter power steering system was going out of production in 1982.

To the best of my knowledge, the mating fasteners and flanges for the flexible coupling were never converted to metric.

1978 - The steering wheel nut was converted to metric the 1978 model year.

The male thread on the telescope lock star screw was never converted to metric.

Jim

Last edited by Jim Shea; Jun 28, 2015 at 11:59 AM.
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