'57 Tail-light bezel screws

[Garry E.]

Is anyone reproducing the the correct size screws for the '56/'57 tail-light bezel....? These are the large, chrome, oval, Phillips-head screws (1/4 - 20) at the rear of the bezel..... I measured what appeared to be "originals" and these have a head diameter of 5/8"...... the repros from Paragon, CC or ACE Hardware have head diameters of 1/2".... as a result, the repros sit too deep into the counter-sunk hole in the bezel.....

Has anyone found a solution for this.....?

Garry Eastwood
#38705

[Ed H.]

Re: '57 Tail-light bezel screws

Garry,
I had an odd type of clutch head screw I neded. I called Dick Fortier (add in the driveline). He made the fastner out of two different type of screws. He is a good guy.

[Garry E.]

Re: '57 Tail-light bezel screws

I contacted Richard Fortier on this matter and the only screws that he has in stock have a standard 1/2" diameter head .....

I'm beginning to think there may be a difference in the size of the diameter of the counter-sunk holes in original bezels versus the repros..... The holes in the repros may have been made smaller to better fit a standard size 1/4 X20 oval head screw..... My bezels are NOS originals and they have the larger hole....

If anyone has a set of original bezels (on a Bowtie car....???) on their car, I'ld love to know the diameter of that rear hole and the subsequent diameter of chrome screw....

Garry Eastwood
#38705

[Jerry B.]

Re: '57 Tail-light bezel screws

At the NCRS meets i have attended , it seemed to me the judjes were looking for a sloted head.

[Garry E.]

Re: '57 Tail-light bezel screws

Regarding the screws that hold the red tail light lens in place, that's true...... those screws SB slotted.....

My question pertains to the large chrome Phillips head screws at the rear of the bezel....

[Dan D.]

Re: '57 Tail-light bezel screws

FYI, I bought OEM taillights from a local Chev dealership in 1971. The screws that came with the lights are 1/2" Phillips head. Also, the taillight lens screws are chrome plated Phillip head.

I have no clue as to what was original as both taillights were long gone before I got the car.

Just thought I would provide info on OEM lights dating back to that time period. The lights were most likely made in the 60s. -Dan-

[Ed H.]

Re: '57 Tail-light bezel screws

Garry,

The JM reads "a large chrome, countersunk, Phillips screw, is used to attach the rear poetion of the housing to the body. I am going to a party this afternoon where there is a 1957, original fuel car. I will measure and photo the part in question and get back to you.

[Ed H.]

Re: '57 Tail-light bezel screws

Garry,
We removed the car cover, used a micrometer, here is what we found. The bolt, not screw (it has a nut and washer on the business end) is a chrome plated "phillips head unit", tapered, 1/4-20, and is 1/2' inch in diameter, with a sealer (goop) under the bolt. Without the sealer the bolt sets too low in the recess. If you look in Noland Adams C-1 book, it gives a part number for the Chrome bolt, nut, washer and sealer. I hope this clears up your questions. In my opinion if a 5/8 head were used, with goop, the bolt would ride too high in the slot. If you wand to try somthing take a 1/2 and a 5/8 and see how it fits. The bolt is not slotted put is a phillips head.
Good luck and hope to meet you and judge your car at Bloomington.