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08-07-2021, 11:05 AM | #1 |
Junior Member
Join Date: Aug 2021
Posts: 12
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How to get 'silver head nut' look.
A lot of guys are using 'silver head nuts' on their flatheads.
Does anyone know the typical way this is done? Zinc? Stainless? Just plain zinc head nuts? Will they rust? Is the metal 'grade' a concern? From what I've found, stainless is a bit shiny, and I'm not sure the metal 'grade' is high enough since stainless is typically softer. Originally, no head nut washers were used, but I see some guys using washers, presumably to give a more accurate torque and to prevent the flathead seats from chipping? Also, with some suppliers, it's unclear whether the bottom of the nut is chamfered to help prevent the nut from digging into the head. Got any recommendations? FYI, this is for a 59AB engine in a stock 1935 pickup. Thanks for your time. |
08-07-2021, 11:40 AM | #2 |
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Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: Reno Nevada
Posts: 391
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Re: How to get 'silver head nut' look.
I bought mine from a local fastener supplier. Grade #8 Zink plated. They will begin to rust
after a few years . Vic |
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08-07-2021, 11:46 AM | #3 |
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Join Date: May 2010
Location: Santee, California
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Re: How to get 'silver head nut' look.
The major parts suppliers are providing a cadmium plated nut that keeps its good looks for a very long time. I have always used them, and reused them multiple times with no unwanted consequences. They have a washer like surface on one side, and no other washers are needed except when using aluminum heads. They are attractive in appearance, and personally I would not go any other way. The super shinny ones you see are dummy nut covers that look like acorn nuts. Too flashy for me, but, each to their own. I would never use stainless anything on an engine head.
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08-07-2021, 12:30 PM | #4 |
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Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: Ventura, CA
Posts: 2,464
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Re: How to get 'silver head nut' look.
The engine in my '36, a 59AB has had chrome acorn head/intake bolt covers for over 50 years, they are dressy and clean looking.
I tend to listen to a different drum, to that end I have stock type air cleaners on both of the Stormberg 97's, a lot quieter and cleaner than the traditional bonnet type.
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08-07-2021, 01:05 PM | #5 |
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Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: Massillon, Ohio
Posts: 783
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Re: How to get 'silver head nut' look.
As blucar I have had the chrome nut covers on my flat head for 20 years. I know it is not an original part but I like them. No matter what I did to the head nuts eventually they rust or discolor which is very noticeable.i
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08-07-2021, 01:17 PM | #6 |
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Location: southeastern Michigan
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Re: How to get 'silver head nut' look.
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08-07-2021, 02:01 PM | #7 |
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Join Date: May 2010
Location: Coral Springs FL
Posts: 10,879
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Re: How to get 'silver head nut' look.
Be like a squirrel and use acorn nut covers. Cheap and easy. Last for years.
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08-07-2021, 02:52 PM | #8 |
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Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Central Ohio
Posts: 5,013
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Re: How to get 'silver head nut' look.
I use ARP's acorns - high quality, special alloy stainless acorn nuts (they are not soft stainless). They are also "high cost" . . . but when you add up all the costs for a high-end engine these days, these fricking nuts are the least of my problems! LOL
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08-07-2021, 05:01 PM | #9 |
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Join Date: Dec 2013
Location: Minnesota, Florida Keys
Posts: 10,260
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Re: How to get 'silver head nut' look.
"Acorn Nut" covers are "de rigueur" with finned aluminum heads, but not with stock heads. The hard part is how to figure out how to make them stay of without being a problem the next time you have to work on your engine.
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08-07-2021, 05:47 PM | #10 |
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Join Date: Jul 2016
Location: Lake worth Florida
Posts: 1,073
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Re: How to get 'silver head nut' look.
Keeping them in place has been easy , I use plastic shopping bags . Push the acorn over the nut with the bag in between. Its easy to remove the acorn and ive got some Ive been running for 15 plus years .
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08-07-2021, 06:09 PM | #11 |
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Join Date: Dec 2013
Location: Minnesota, Florida Keys
Posts: 10,260
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Re: How to get 'silver head nut' look.
Doesn't your engine look funny with all of those plastic bags on the heads? (Maybe they burn off after a while.)
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08-07-2021, 06:36 PM | #12 |
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Join Date: May 2010
Location: Coral Springs FL
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Re: How to get 'silver head nut' look.
A little dab of silicon.
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08-08-2021, 05:29 AM | #13 |
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Join Date: Jul 2016
Location: Lake worth Florida
Posts: 1,073
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Re: How to get 'silver head nut' look.
Isnt that what everyone is calling ‘ has air bags ‘
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08-08-2021, 09:53 AM | #14 |
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Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: Ventura, CA
Posts: 2,464
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Re: How to get 'silver head nut' look.
The acorn caps have been on my '36 since 1954, have not lost any of them.
Getting ready to pull the engine out to freshen things up, gonna paint the engine '36 Ford green in lieu of red..
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08-08-2021, 12:11 PM | #15 | |
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Join Date: Dec 2013
Location: Minnesota, Florida Keys
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Re: How to get 'silver head nut' look.
Quote:
Good to hear you're goin' back to Ford Green; I also went through a period (I think they called it "puberty") when I painted all of my engines red. |
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08-08-2021, 02:17 PM | #16 |
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Location: 36 miles north of Albany NY
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Re: How to get 'silver head nut' look.
I used a little bit of silicone seal on the inside of the chrome acorn nuts.
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08-08-2021, 03:26 PM | #17 |
Senior Member
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Re: How to get 'silver head nut' look.
I just bought a set of new nuts from C & G for $15
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08-08-2021, 08:47 PM | #18 | |
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Location: Florida
Posts: 577
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Re: How to get 'silver head nut' look.
Quote:
Well, looky here. First post and it's about a '35 pickup. Ok. I'm listening. What else are you doing to this truck. Us pickup guys want to know.....and pics are mandatory. Heard
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08-09-2021, 10:28 AM | #19 |
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Join Date: Aug 2021
Posts: 12
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Re: How to get 'silver head nut' look.
Thanks for the interest Heard. I certainly like the 1935 Ford pickups, and I've had mine for over 10 years now, and it's been sitting stationary for about 9.5 of those years. I finally got tired of looking at it and got the ball rolling last winter by sending the engine out for a rebuild. Hope to get it back in a month or so. Everything always takes much longer than predicted, especially these days. Sorry, I don't have much in the way of photos and I'm out of town for another week. I'll try to post something when I get back. My plan it to keep it stock. Thanks again.
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08-09-2021, 07:25 PM | #20 | |
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Re: How to get 'silver head nut' look.
Quote:
Heard
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