MTFCA Forum

A discussion came up at a Model T Tech Talk at the Piquette Plant. One guy stated the screws were 1/4-24, while another suggested they are 10-27. I'm leaning towards 10-27. We all know they're "special" of course. Anybody know for sure the size?

Neither, Jerry

they're 14-24 ASME Standard (with uncommonly small diameter heads)

14-24

(Or as the late Ralph Ricks use to say….use an M6 x1…just enough drag to keep ‘em from backing out…and built in advantage of a hex key to get that 3 o’clock one! )

George Mills wrote: ↑

Mon May 29, 2023 5:38 pm

14-24

(Or as the late Ralph Ricks use to say….use an M6 x1…just enough drag to keep ‘em from backing out…and built in advantage of a hex key to get that 3 o’clock one! )

When i monkey with my bendix cover, I leave the three o’clock one in place

Nobody asked, but I'll show how I get them started with a long screwdriver.

I use a screw driver that holds the screw. It has jaws on each side of the screw head.
Without that I would probably use a 6x1mm 10 mm long

Art Mirtes

Thanks all!!!

I sure wish that I had read this post before driving all over town looking for 1/4”-24 bolts. I finally did the math in my head and realized that a 6mm bolt is the same diameter. After counting the threads at the hardware store it was exactly 24 threads per inch. I bought hex head bolts but had to grind the flange as the diameter was too large. I should have bought the allen head type. What an ordeal to install the bendix cover.

Vendors sell the correct screws.

As correctly stated aboove. 14-24 ASME Standard

For ease of removal, I chose to use hex head cap screws I gave up on originality for ease of installation. A long Allen socket sure makes installation and tightening easier. I wouldn’t do it on a restoration, but for a driver, it made life much easier. I found a source for them thru a motorcycle supply shop.

Scott

Be sure to add lock washers under the Bendix screw heads. Find small metic lock washers at the hardware, they have to be small diameter. A loose cover and oil leaks, and can be catastrophic

A long thin single blade screw driver and a locking tip one really aids in install of the cover.

The above Ford drawing illustrates the length at 15/32"- just under a 1/2".

Back in the day we would tap them 1/4 x 20 and use socket head cap screws. Easy to install with a long Allen wrench. Also easy to find on the road if you lose one.

Dan Hatch wrote: ↑

Sat Mar 22, 2025 11:40 am

Back in the day we would tap them 1/4 x 20.......

That's what I did 50 years ago. No one can tell. No one cares.

And we sealed the cover with a little MBRT. Worked wonders!

The picture of the screwdriver Dan T posted works wonders to hold screws in a the screwdriver so you can get them started! We used that type where I use to work to hold screws to get them started in switch panels, pressure switches and screws in tight places. Every mechanic needs one or two of these locking tip screwdrivers. No kidding and once you use one you’ll wonder where have I been!

And seems like I remember you can leave one of the covers screws in to help hold the cover in place and then install the rest.

John we called those “ Monday morning screwdrivers”.