I’m a complete dunce.

spinelll

spinelll

Senior Member
I’m a complete dunce.

I needed to remove my hood to get my radiator out.
I hadn’t removed the hood in about 10 years and forgot how I did it.
So, I go to “the book” and remove the rear bracket (pic), and of course the nuts fall gently the floor of the driver’s compartment.
Then I realized that in the past, I had simply removed the hood rods and tilted the radiator forward.

Is it humanly possible to reach behind the dash to hold those 2 nuts and re-attach the bracket?
I was thinking I needed to find a skinny 5-year-old with 4 foot arms.

Leo
 

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Re: I’m a complete dunce.

How about a long extension and a socket? Put 2 nuts in the socket so the second nut is at the end of the socket.
 
Re: I’m a complete dunce.

The nuts are held captive in a channel accessible from the top. If they fell off it likely means that someone kludged a solution, most likely using 10-24 or 10-32 screws pushed through the embedded 12-24 captive nuts. Poke around and see if you can find the proper captive nuts still in the channel. Most likely you will. When you do, clean them up carefully with a 12-24 tap, then install the proper screws.

This “solution” is not uncommon among “restorers”.
 
Re: I’m a complete dunce.

Please get some help. As we get older, things get heavier. You don't want to hurt the parts or yourself.
 
Re: I’m a complete dunce.

I made a hoist out of a bicycle storage lift.
 

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Re: I’m a complete dunce.

To answer your question, yes, you can reach up behind the tank and put the nuts back on. I have a car that the captive nuts are gone and I hold the nut while my wife turns the screw from the top side. Takes a little reaching and patience but it can be put back.
 
Re: I’m a complete dunce.

Old Trick: I use a small piece of paper towel to make the nut snug in the socket. After it in place and tightened up the wrench is easily removed.
One of those old "tricks" that when I taught it to my now 40+ year old son he said "Sweet". lol Chap
 
Re: I’m a complete dunce.

For a dunce, you came up with a great idea! That I'm going to "borrow". Thank you so much!
 
Re: I’m a complete dunce.

Also, a dab of grease will hold the nut (and sometimes a lock washer) in the socket long enough to get a thread started.
 
Re: I’m a complete dunce.

Not as dumb as I thought.
I was able to reach behind the gas tank and turn the nut while the old bag held the bolt.
My recent hip replacement added some fun to the task.

Thanks for the replies.
Leo
 
Re: I’m a complete dunce.

Glad you got it! There's more space between the tank and firewall than most people realize.
 
Re: I’m a complete dunce.

spinelll said:
Not as dumb as I thought.
I was able to reach behind the gas tank and turn the nut while the old bag held the bolt.
My recent hip replacement added some fun to the task.

Thanks for the replies.
Leo
Click to expand...

I think your helper deserves a better title.
 
Re: I’m a complete dunce.

I realize that you fixed it, but this slide may be of interest to some folks on the Barn.
 

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