'86 hood emblem
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'86 hood emblem
Just received my NOS GM Corvette hood emblem replacement. It did not come with any hardware. It only has two tapered posts that fit directly into the holes on my hood and so I snapped it in. Looks tight. Is this the way to install these?
-Vince
-Vince
Race Director
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 12,518
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No. The factory metal emblems used self tapping nuts that cut threads on the posts.
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It's an all plastic emblem, official GM part. I'll gladly put self tapping nuts but can't even seen the posts under hood now. I can remove one of the lower fairings to get at it I suppose.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 2,531
Likes: 35
From: Lecanto Florida
If you look under the hood, there will be two holes that give access so you can put the self tapping nuts onto the tapered posts. I used a nut driver with sticky tape to hold the self tapping nuts on and slowly inserted the driver into the hole till it reaches the post. Then start turning till it get tight.
P.S. Lost many of the self tapping nuts into never-land when taking them off though. I keep a supply in my tool box.
P.S. Lost many of the self tapping nuts into never-land when taking them off though. I keep a supply in my tool box.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 5,858
Likes: 7
From: Santa Maria CA
I had mine fly off at freeway speeds and smack the windshield real hard because the previous owner didn't have the two speed nuts on it (which I didn't know at the time). I could not believe it didn't crack the glass. It also left a deep chip on the hood.
These emblems aren't supplied with new speed nuts. My local GM dealer gave me a pair for free (they offered). It's best that you start them on the posts outside the car to cut the threads first. This makes it real easy to start them on once on the hood. Mine was all metal.
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Safety Car
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 4,328
Likes: 15
From: Jacksonville FL
Finally someone called them the right thing-Speed Nuts. Pick up several at an auto parts in case you lose one or several, lol. A tip: Use something sticky inside your socket to hold the speed nut. Once they fall into your hood they are pretty much gone. I use plumbers putty but I have it laying around. Gum will work.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 2,531
Likes: 35
From: Lecanto Florida
I used a nut driver with sticky tape to hold the self tapping nuts on and slowly inserted the driver into the hole till it reaches the post. Then start turning till it get tight.
P.S. Lost many of the self tapping nuts into never-land when taking them off though. I keep a supply in my tool box.
Our cars have a steep learning curve, luckily this one isnt expensive! 
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 2,531
Likes: 35
From: Lecanto Florida
I replaced mine with the chrome 88 anniversary year emblems. same holes. The black ones just didn't for me once I painted the stripes. Nobody notices except the real die-hard Vette fans.
