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1970 442 grill center and side bolts?

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Old Oct 2, 2025 | 04:05 PM
  #1  
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1970 442 grill center and side bolts?

For a 1970 442 grill does any one know what fastener is used in the center and ends which connect to the headlight surrounds?
See pics below for locations in question



Old Oct 3, 2025 | 10:07 AM
  #2  
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Unique screw for sure. I've searched for years on finding a correct replacement with no such luck. ILT has one but the finish and the threads are incorrect.
Old Oct 3, 2025 | 10:53 AM
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Pic showing two originals (darker plated) and another (non-orig - bright plated).



Last edited by 70Post; Oct 3, 2025 at 11:07 AM.
Old Oct 3, 2025 | 11:10 AM
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tru-blue 442's Avatar
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Patton, I wonder if the large licence plate screws would work, hmmm.
Old Oct 3, 2025 | 11:14 AM
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Too short on the the threads and not the same head diameter as the correct ones I show. I have originals of those to compare.
Old Oct 3, 2025 | 12:39 PM
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fusick sells a bolt kit. can someone look at it to see if it looks correct
Old Oct 3, 2025 | 01:27 PM
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Originally Posted by v8al
For a 1970 442 grill does any one know what fastener is used in the center and ends which connect to the headlight surrounds?
See pics below for locations in question
Maybe this will help
.










Last edited by Texas442; Oct 3, 2025 at 01:46 PM.
Old Oct 3, 2025 | 02:12 PM
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One other potential problem for the OP...that appears to be a repro grill and many of those grills seem to have "too large" holes for the three philips head grill screws. Being 1/4" sheet metal thread screws they originally formed their own threads in the grill plastic...but if the holes are too large then the screws will just sit there and spin. You can use a flat nut to catch the threads on the center screw at least....maybe the outer two screws as well.

Just checked a pair of repro '70 grills that I recently restored here....the center hole grabs the 1/4" screw threads just fine (usually that hole is too large) and the other two holes are too large to grab the threads (the two OUTER screw holes).

Last edited by 70Post; Oct 3, 2025 at 02:18 PM.
Old Oct 3, 2025 | 02:49 PM
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So, it looks like my car still had one of the correct 9418959 screws.



I have the Fusick grill mounting kit and it includes 1 10-24 x 1/2" pan head and nut.



From Fusick web page:


Last edited by v8al; Oct 3, 2025 at 02:55 PM.
Old Oct 3, 2025 | 03:21 PM
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The one you found is original/correct. The pan head combo in the Fusick kit is incorrect if originality matters to you. That's probably in there as a "work around" for the too-large holes in the repro grills. Looks like they use two 5/16 hex screws in that kit for the ends of the repro grills (w/too-large holes).
Old Oct 3, 2025 | 04:20 PM
  #11  
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Originally Posted by 70Post
The one you found is original/correct. The pan head combo in the Fusick kit is incorrect if originality matters to you. That's probably in there as a "work around" for the too-large holes in the repro grills. Looks like they use two 5/16 hex screws in that kit for the ends of the repro grills (w/too-large holes).
So what's the one large nut in the Fusick kit for? I would think if it was for the ends of the repro grills they would provide two nuts.
Old Oct 3, 2025 | 04:27 PM
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Who knows?? Probably a mistake on their kit count or someone screwed up the pic. The larger nut is probably a 5/16" nut for the grill end hex screws...again short by one.

Probably like the wheelwell splash shield flap kits sold be everyone. The manufacturer of the kit puts maybe HALF as many staples in their kit compared to what you actually need.
Old Oct 3, 2025 | 07:03 PM
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I am not saying you should do this, but if it was me, I'd take the original screw to HomeDepot and compare it to this:
.


Old Oct 4, 2025 | 12:39 PM
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It's interesting the book calls for zinc. All the ones I've pulled from my cars look phosphate or painted silver but I suppose the zinc could have come off easily over the years. Great thread here (no pun intended!).
Old Oct 4, 2025 | 12:58 PM
  #15  
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I've always looked for evidence of the plating finish on those screws as well....problem is that over the years and with the "environment" a silver zinc or cad screw will turn dark. Look at the front side of a original Olds alt pulley and then remove it and look at the backside.

Looks like the judging standards may change on the '70 grill screws - fooled by the oxidation gods I guess.

Those screws are located in a spot of the car that sees plenty of water, etc over the years....so plenty of oxidation. I've pulley many, many of them and they appeared dark. Time to replate some already-replated original grills screws.

THANKS Texas442!

Last edited by 70Post; Oct 4, 2025 at 01:07 PM.
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