Do you recognise this bolt?
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 1,199
Likes: 4
From: Cairns Australia
Do you recognise this bolt?
As I was entering my driveway I heard a metallic clink. I stopped and found this bolt in the gutter where my vette enters. 1988 Auto Coupe.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/37079655@N07/3648840749/
Please does anyone recognise it? It is a loose fit in a 10mm socket and a 3/8th socket goes halfway on, the head is maybe a little tapered, it's also badly rounded and I filed the burrs off to check the fit.
The only bolt I know that is this long holds the altenator bracket on and it's not that one.
Could it be front C beam bolt? or from the suspension? somewhere else? or not from my vette at all.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/37079655@N07/3648840749/
Please does anyone recognise it? It is a loose fit in a 10mm socket and a 3/8th socket goes halfway on, the head is maybe a little tapered, it's also badly rounded and I filed the burrs off to check the fit.
The only bolt I know that is this long holds the altenator bracket on and it's not that one.
Could it be front C beam bolt? or from the suspension? somewhere else? or not from my vette at all.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 20,171
Likes: 672
From: Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction.
St. Jude '03 thru '24
Check your engine accessories, like the the alternator, smog pump, A/C comp, etc.... too small & short for a c-beam.
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Race Director
Joined: Aug 2000
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- check the alternator, especially behind the pully. even if loose, i don't know how it could have worked its way out...
Last edited by Joe C; Jun 22, 2009 at 05:31 AM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 2,772
Likes: 64
From: Mystic CT
If it just fell out it probaly was not on something turning at the time I would think that would have made a more spectacular exit..LOL Have you worked on any area of the car lately and could have forgoten to tighten something up? If I had to make a SWAG I am leaning towards starter. Are any bellhousing bolts that long? Just wild guesses..
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 2,772
Likes: 64
From: Mystic CT
Ok got clever and played detective and did a search for posts from you.. About a month ago lining up rear bumper and the body shop that did not get it lined up straight. What do they need to remove to get to the bumper bolts I bet it is on the list of things in the way.. Also to somewhat rounded head in that it fits a 10mm loose and 3/8 very tight would lead me to believe it started life as a 10mm and something that is on fairly tight.. Spare tire? Radio antenna? Gas tank? what has to come off to change a bumper I bet has something to do with the bolt.
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 5,866
Likes: 60
From: Hellinois
Finalist 2020 C4 of the Year - Modified
If it just fell out it probaly was not on something turning at the time I would think that would have made a more spectacular exit..LOL Have you worked on any area of the car lately and could have forgoten to tighten something up? If I had to make a SWAG I am leaning towards starter. Are any bellhousing bolts that long? Just wild guesses..
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 1,199
Likes: 4
From: Cairns Australia
I found it!!!!! It was the forward top bolt holding the Nippondenso compressor.
EastCoastHD - that was my first thought, I checked immediately but the bolt was still there - also it's larger than 10mm, but the small bolt on that bracket, for the altenator, has exactly the same head, with the flange. I put my 10mm socket on it and it was identically as loose as on the bolt, so I knew then that the bolt WAS off my vette.
How lucky was I that it fell off at my driveway and not while driving.
ddahlgren - you qualify for the 'Sherlock Holmes' award, some clever sleuthing there. I was going to take the bolt to the people who fitted my bumper and ask them if it looked familiar!
Thanks EVERYONE for your help
EastCoastHD - that was my first thought, I checked immediately but the bolt was still there - also it's larger than 10mm, but the small bolt on that bracket, for the altenator, has exactly the same head, with the flange. I put my 10mm socket on it and it was identically as loose as on the bolt, so I knew then that the bolt WAS off my vette.
How lucky was I that it fell off at my driveway and not while driving.
ddahlgren - you qualify for the 'Sherlock Holmes' award, some clever sleuthing there. I was going to take the bolt to the people who fitted my bumper and ask them if it looked familiar!
Thanks EVERYONE for your help
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 2,054
Likes: 120
From: AZ
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 9,226
Likes: 9
From: Irvine Ca
I found it!!!!! It was the forward top bolt holding the Nippondenso compressor.
EastCoastHD - that was my first thought, I checked immediately but the bolt was still there - also it's larger than 10mm, but the small bolt on that bracket, for the altenator, has exactly the same head, with the flange. I put my 10mm socket on it and it was identically as loose as on the bolt, so I knew then that the bolt WAS off my vette.
How lucky was I that it fell off at my driveway and not while driving.
ddahlgren - you qualify for the 'Sherlock Holmes' award, some clever sleuthing there. I was going to take the bolt to the people who fitted my bumper and ask them if it looked familiar!
Thanks EVERYONE for your help
EastCoastHD - that was my first thought, I checked immediately but the bolt was still there - also it's larger than 10mm, but the small bolt on that bracket, for the altenator, has exactly the same head, with the flange. I put my 10mm socket on it and it was identically as loose as on the bolt, so I knew then that the bolt WAS off my vette.
How lucky was I that it fell off at my driveway and not while driving.
ddahlgren - you qualify for the 'Sherlock Holmes' award, some clever sleuthing there. I was going to take the bolt to the people who fitted my bumper and ask them if it looked familiar!
Thanks EVERYONE for your help
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 138
Likes: 0
From: Bridgewater Ma.
I know. After replacing the stock TB with a BBK 52 mm, the stock intake duct would not fit the larger TB. I tried heating with a heat gun and stretching, no luck.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 8,838
Likes: 31
From: Australia
Little fit of filing makes it easier