A silly " '68 Original Jack" question:

LemansBlue68 · 10-31-2002, 02:16 PM

OK, this question is so anal that I'm embarassed to post it in the C3 section, but I know my FCR colleagues will understand where I'm coming from:

I recently got a jack at a swap meet that is an original '68 jack. I was so excited to find one that was appropriately dated for my car that I snapped it up and bought it no questions asked. I got it home and started to clean it up when I realized that the nut was missing that meshes with the jack screw to raise and lower it. Of course this isn't just any nut--this nut has to have acme style threads--you know, the square profile threads. After calling around to a couple local machine shops to see if they could make a nut for me, the responses were basically blank looks followed by "It's just a jack buddy, why don't you just get another from the junk yard." I then decided I would try to find an acme thread tap and make a nut myself, after all, how hard could it be to drill and tap a hole in a piece of bar stock? I start looking up tap suppliers and find that the standard acme thread for a 1/2" hole is a 13 tpi pitch. The jack screw for this jack has something like 6 tpi. These jacks were undoubtedly made using some kind of bastard thread specification.

Does anyone have any ideas as to a source that could help me repair this jack? Everyone thinks I'm nuts for expending so much effort on finding the right nut!!!! :hat

They just don't understand this numbers obsession. I understand the temptation to resist the obvious pun will be too great to overcome, so I won't take offense as long as it is accompanied by some useful advice. :D

Thanks.

Mike Ward · 10-31-2002, 02:28 PM

Might be cost effective and less stressful to 'scavenge' the required nut from another jack out of the junk yard rather than trying to make a new one.

Mac · 10-31-2002, 06:47 PM

I would definitely hit the wrecking yard before I tried 'creating' a new nut. Whatever you get from the wrecker will likely be more accurate and less trouble.

JmpnJckFlsh · 10-31-2002, 08:00 PM

Hmmmm...The only "nut" I see on my 70 jack, which I presume to be the same basic design, is the square bar between the scissors links. This bar, which IS the only female threaded part on the jack, is riveted in postion between the pivoting scissors links.

Even if you were able to find this part, changing it to the dated jack is not going to be easy. You're going to need some specialized tools and skills. Am I missing something here?

GDaina · 11-01-2002, 01:01 AM

good advice......get a scrap jack and cannibalize the nut.....at worst weld the nut in place

paintdaddy · 11-01-2002, 03:31 AM

Check with some used corvette parts dealers,Mine saves every nut and bolt .One time I was looking for a piece of hardware that was for a hood cable ,and he had it. :seeya :yesnod:

Yellow6t7 · 11-01-2002, 11:35 AM

Did you find the nut you where looking for? I may have the name of a jack manufacture. I'll try and look it up if you still need it.

LemansBlue68 · 11-04-2002, 01:47 PM

I have a jack from a '71 as well as this '68 jack. In a pinch I'll use the '71 jack. I first thought I'd scavenge parts from the '71 jack but the design seems to have changed to a cross-bar as Chuck S describes. The thread pitch is different too. The '71 has the 13 tpi standard pitch threads. It appears that this design is closer to the mid year design. The "nut" I'm referring to appears to have been welded on at some time but has broken loose. The '68 design looks closer to the mid year jacks. I also looked into possibly getting a mid year jack and scavenging parts, but mid year jacks appear to be getting some very high $$$$$.

Oh, the joys of restoring a '68 :rolleyes:

I'll keep the '68 jack and let it collect dust. I stumbled onto this "deal", maybe I'll stumble onto a solution later.

Just thought I'd run it past you guys. Thanks.

JmpnJckFlsh · 11-04-2002, 02:28 PM

Quote:

I'll keep the '68 jack and let it collect dust. I stumbled onto this "deal", maybe I'll stumble onto a solution later.

One more thing you might try is to check out "Hemmings Motor News" in the "Services" section. Unlike the parts available for our classic cars, the antique car restorers frequently have to get one-off parts made from cast iron ingots. You might find custom machining services offered there. But, better keep your American Express card handy, cuz they won't be cheap. :D :D

[Modified by Chuck Sangerhausen, 10:30 AM 11/4/2002]

PRNDL · 11-05-2002, 12:33 AM

scavenging parts from other original 68 jacks is a good idea. Try attending some NCRS meets and get qualified as a judge. Which team judges the jacks? interior? Eventually you will get your chance!! Who will notice a little nut missing??? :jester ... or is it... :conehead no, must be :troll

:lol:

MJ

Silver63 · 11-06-2002, 01:02 AM

look at a jack from a midyear corvair. they are almost identical with the exception being the bracket that contacts the frame rail. I have seen many on ebay for $25.00 or less. They can still be found in junk yards. just might solve your problem. Happy hunting