Frame rail bolt size??

[tech71]

Weird,  3/8 x16 (threads per inch) is a course thread SAE bolt. 

There are actually 3 thread pitches available for M10 metric bolts.

https://www.boltdepot.com/Metric_hex_bolts_Zinc_plated_class_8.8_steel.aspx

I recommend that you verify threads on the old frame rail to eliminate the possibility that its been bodged in some way.

If I was looking at damaged threads there either from corrosion or mechanical extraction of said corroded bolts, I would certainly consider rethreading to something else if possible.

 

 

Edited October 14, 2019 by tech71

[VWJake]

I hand threaded an M10 bolt on all three lugs in my new rail from WN... strange.

[Son of Marty]

The bolt shown in the first picture is not the original one fitted by the factory as it's threaded all the way up the correct bolts are threaded only about 3/4 of the way up but that doesn't answer the thread pitch question but shows some one has changed bolts at some time.

[TNan]

**** UPDATE ****

 

So it turns out that the vendor I purchased the frame rail from was not using W&N as their main supplier as they normally do with all their other 02 parts - so I just assumed that was the case.  I was fortunate to get a refund which then I immediately purchased the frame rail from W&N directly.  I received the frame rail and VOILA! it's the manufactured to spec including the proper bolt holes!  

 

W&N is amazing!

 

Thanks to everyone who offered their 2 cents to this thread - now the 'fun' part starts!!! 

 

PS...I would love for someone to let me know or point me to a video that shows a frame rail replacement.  The only one I could find is Restoration Design's frame rail replacement on youtube.

[xr4tic]

9 hours ago, TNan said:

PS...I would love for someone to let me know or point me to a video that shows a frame rail replacement.  The only one I could find is Restoration Design's frame rail replacement on youtube.

 

I read up on it and it looks like a LOT of work.  Only the back half of mine was rotted so I ended up cutting the back part off my replacement and welding it in instead of doing the whole thing.

 

Also, if you have a big bumper car, you'd have to move the bumper mount over as well..

[TNan]

31 minutes ago, xr4tic said:

 

I read up on it and it looks like a LOT of work.  Only the back half of mine was rotted so I ended up cutting the back part off my replacement and welding it in instead of doing the whole thing.

 

Also, if you have a big bumper car, you'd have to move the bumper mount over as well..

well I'm into deep now so there's no turning back....haha