Do you have any further input on this hazy topic? Nope, I think James Weinmann and others have this covered. As far as the "NS", years ago at one of the resto clinics some guy asked us why the engineers did something. I said we did not design the cars, and had no idea why they were done the way they were. I also said, as a restorer, our job was to deal with what they gave us to work with. Duane PS. I would not worry about this bolt, it's just a plain old bolt. What you really need to worry about is the stamping on the valve cover bolts. Some of them are year specific, and they are one of the things the judges look at for Concours judging. That discussion should keep you guys going for a while.
Flags on the valve cover bolts! I always called them open "S" squiggles, but yes. However, they are not for every year. Good luck with your search. Duane
Scott, Do they have indented heads and no flange or captured washer? If so,please post pics so we can see one. Thanks.
James, These are the ones he's talking about, which appear to be the same as the bolts in the link I posted last week.
I am really surprised that with all the parts hoarders on this site that nobody has an original bolt. There are quite a few with the TR and 3 dash bolts. This would lead me to believe the TR bolt is original.
Dave, The more this thread grows, the more inclined I am to believe the indented head bolt, the TR bolt and probably one or two others are correct. I mean, assembly line workers weren't exactly painting Picassos. That said, at least we've been able to glean that the washer definitely wasn't attached, nor was the head flanged.
I've worked on several low mileage "big cars" and none of them had a hard indent on the head. They all had unattached washers, though. I doubt the bolts for the big cars would be different than the ones on the A bodies. No flange on the head either. So, your last post is probably the most reasonable answer to this mystery.
One thing to remember is the bolt at the top and bottom of the adjusting bracket are the same thread and almost the same length. Any work on the water pump or timing chain/cover, and those 2 bolts could have been easily swapped. Those 2 bolts are different #'s. What Buick hasn't had a chain or pump done in 50 years? Hey...maybe you guys looking for the right bolt...it's at the bottom of the bracket!
Different plants will also have whatever bolt worked for that hole. My car has the TR bolt with a flat washer that is loose .
