does anybody know what type of strikers a Delta 88 from the late 70's and the early 80's use?
Do they use the same metric strikers as other B-body cars of the same era?
Does anybody know where to buy these strikers?

 

Well, the Delta 88 IS a B-body, so I'm going with YES. I suspect they are the same on every B/C/D and G-body car from that timeframe.

 

Yes you would think so, but it seems that all other bodies are using 7/16 thread strikers. The b-body got metric strikers, for some reason. Problem is, that no one carries them, it seems. This is pretty odd, since the Delta and especially the caprice/impala was produced in such large numbers...
What to do :-)

 

run your favorite tap thru the hole and use what fits?

 

Haha, well that could propably work.
I might look into running a 7/16 tap through an M12 thread and try how much torque it will stand.
I just can't believe no one makes replacement striker for cars that was mass-produced like this!

 

They DO make strikers for these cars. The thread is 7/16-14. I just pulled one of the strikers from my 84 Custom Cruiser. It's 7/16-14 - I checked it with my thread checker set:





I'll also point out that the bolt easily threaded into the M12-1.75 gauge also, by the way:

 

FYI, the 7/16-14 threads have a 0.4375" major diameter and 14 threads per inch.

The M12-1.75 threads have a 0.472" major diameter and 14.5 thread per inch. If the striker bolt from my 84 were really metric, it would not have threaded into the 7/16 gauge, since the M12 bolt is slightly larger in diameter.

 

Thank you very much for taking the time to actually look into this.
If you '84 b-body has 7/16 threads, then my car must be a special deal. Maybe it's because it is an export model, I don't know. So your 7/16 striker went into the M12 gauge easily... Interesting. :-)

 

I just checked a couple of websites that supply parts for these cars. Rockauto clearly has strikers for b-body up to '76 and from '80 up.

It seems they ran 1/2" threads up to '76, had a couple of "dark" years with metric threads from 77-79 and then went to 7/16" threads in '80.

 

It would be EXTREMELY unlikely that GM went from SAE to metric and then back to SAE threads. The conversion has only been one way. Also, RockAuto is NOT a factory parts book and their on-line catalog is full of documented errors. I don't put much stock in it. Try ordering Oldsmobile motor mounts from them...

How are you so certain your striker bolts are M12? Have you tried screwing a 7/16-14 bolt into the threads in the jamb? Since 7/16 is smaller than M12, it should be loose if the threads are really M12.

 

You are absolutely right, it don't make much sense. I measured my striker with a gauge plus I held it up against an M12 bolt. The threads fit together like a glove.
I know the Rockauto catalog ain't necessarily the truth, but I can't find strikers for 77-79 B-body cars anywhere else either. Plus I have heard it from people driving Caprice, that it's a fact that 77-79 had metric strikers.
Here is a link for the striker. Try the OE replacement number...
the results are for 77-79 cars only.

 

And as I pointed out in Posts #6 and #7, 7/16-14 and M12-1.75 threads are EXTREMELY close dimensionally. One more time. Get a 7/16-14 bolt and see if it threads into the door jamb threads. I've got $10 that says it fits perfectly.

 

You're on :-)
I'll report back as soon as I have checked. I am really crossing my fingers that my friend was wrong.

 

Sorry for the delay. Finally bought a 7/16-14 UNC bolt to try and run into the threads for the striker.
It actually screws into the threads in the pillar, but it is not an exact fit.
BDB507F8-E7BA-4BB3-9850-749C101F4772_zpseo0h8snz.jpg

I bought an M12-1.75 striker for a Chrysler to try it on.
Went right in but the head that catches the door lock is thinner than it should be., so it's no good.
68D9BAB9-8FC0-442F-9F32-016F4A03E3C2_zpsmlzdjs1p.jpg
115832BD-9BB3-4E48-9636-90A949AD4CC7_zpscl5zkvdv.jpg

Here is the 7/16-14 bolt compared to the M12 striker from the car
3BEB0425-5411-46E9-88CD-15C6D07CACAA_zps1vaf3lhp.jpg
They are obviously not the same.
I guess this concludes that there just might be some truth to this mystery: the 77-79 B-body cars use M12 strikers for reasons unknown.
At least my car does :-)
I guess the good news is, that I might be able to get away with installing 7/16 strikers in the M12 hole.

 

Hi-jacking the thread. I have new strikers to replace worn ones, but have an maybe stupid question. Do i need to remove interior panels to change them ( to hold the nut) or were they wise enough to build an cage for the nut behind b-pilar to hold it so i can just screw old striker out and new in?
( yes i will mark the position of old striker to b-pilar).
I ask because i dont want to remove any interior plastic if its not necessary just to see if it was or not, since theyre so brittle already.

Thank you.

 

no need to disassemble anything. The striker screws right out and right back in.

 

Great, thanks alot.

 

Are you able to change the door striker nut? The vehicle in question is a 1983 Oldsmobile Delta 88. You know, some are 7/16" - 14 & M12 - 1.75.