Screw head 'drive' on CSX2xxx cars

[xb-60]

What screw head drive types were used on 289 Cobras? Specifically, were Phillips/Pozi drives used, or slotted drives? My main interest is in the area of the dash panel.

Cheers,
Glen

[A-Snake]

Originally Posted by xb-60

What screw head drive types were used on 289 Cobras? Specifically, were Phillips/Pozi drives used, or slotted drives? My main interest is in the area of the dash panel.

Cheers,
Glen

The only Phillips head screws on a 289 were the four around the chrome ring that holds the shifter boot. If there was a radio then four more Phillips head were used to secure the radio mounting plate. If wind-wings were added then eight more Phillips head were used. No Phillips head were used by AC Cars.

[xb-60]

Thanks A-Snake. Good information there.

Here's the dash area on CSX2128, where it can be seen that the Moto-Lita SW (supplied by AC factory) is attached with slotted screws, as is the dash as well.



The Sun tacho and the switch panel are Shelby add-ons, and are retained by Phillips headed screws, as well as the shifter boot retaining ring.


Cheers,
Glen

[A-Snake]

Originally Posted by xb-60

Thanks A-Snake. Good information there.

Here's the dash area on CSX2182, where it can be seen that the Moto-Lita SW (supplied by AC factory) is attached with slotted screws, as is the dash as well.



The Sun tacho and the switch panel are Shelby add-ons, and are retained by Phillips headed screws, as well as the shifter boot retaining ring.


Cheers,
Glen

Did you mean to type CSX2128?
Modifications done to race cars by SA may have resulted in using other fasteners.

[1985 CCX]

In general, race cars are exceptions as they have been changed from day #1.
A-Snake = correct

[Dan Case]

Originally Posted by A-Snake

The only Phillips head screws on a 289 were the four around the chrome ring that holds the shifter boot. If there was a radio then four more Phillips head were used to secure the radio mounting plate. If wind-wings were added then eight more Phillips head were used. No Phillips head were used by AC Cars.

I will modify the shift lever gaiter (a.k.a. boot) retainer screw information Jim provided. Cars, mostly very early ones, completed by Ed Hugus' shop or AC Cars used slotted raised countersink chrome plated screws and not the Ford supplied phillips versions most Cobras received.

Part of the fun of restoring original cars is knowing when and where cars were completed as different shops did things differently.

[A-Snake]

Thanks Dan for adding the Hugus & AC finished cars. We forget that not all Cobras were completed by SA.

[Dan Case]

Originally Posted by A-Snake

Thanks Dan for adding the Hugus & AC finished cars. We forget that not all Cobras were completed by SA.

You are welcome.

I am somewhat on the fence about radio mounting bracket screws as it has been decades since I have seen a factory installation in a car that has never had the heater out or been partially to completely dismantled and gone through anything between a thorough detailing and a restoration. Fasteners are one of the most commonly replaced parts on a Cobra. A typical commercial “restoration” might have a few dozen to several hundred fastener parts replaced. AC Cars was very consistent within a contract except for revisions somebody wanted. Shelby American was much more consistent in doing most installations than they are generally given credit for. Some better known “differences” are not differences created by ‘grab anything you can’ but differences in countries and shops the cars were completed in or cars finished in late 1964 or even into mid 1965 were built under different specifications than ones finished in early 1963.

Once I see that is obvious that a car’s heater core was leaking in the past and or that the heater had been out I become suspect of any detail that doesn’t agree with what I use to see decades ago while most of the cars were still relatively close to day one. I have seen mountings that have shown some evidence of being in and out with several different sizes and finishes of slotted drive screws, including one set of large pan head screws (so large they seemed out of place) that appear to have zinc plating under the black paint someone appears to have painted on with a small brush.

While on phillips drive screws and radios SA often added an additional screw in the boot compartment to help fix the lower radio antenna to the side of the boot compartment. I have collected pictures of two head sizes of same type screw for this purpose.

[xb-60]

Originally Posted by A-Snake

Did you mean to type CSX2128?....

Yes. One finger faster than the other

[xb-60]

Originally Posted by Dan Case

....shift lever gaiter (a.k.a. boot) ......

Diverging slightly...did many Cobras use a leather gaiter rather than a rubber boot for the shifter lever?
I know that COB6008 uses one (and has from its early days according to period pictures), and I have seen that several others also use a gaiter.

Cheers,
Glen