Why does GM use these bolts?

Reply Subscribe

Thread Tools

Search this Thread

Apr 6, 2013 | 06:45 PM

KingPin1094

Thread Starter

TECH Enthusiast

iTrader: (12)

Joined: Sep 2012

Posts: 557

Likes: 1

From: OH

Why does GM use these bolts?

Not that it is a really big deal or anything, im just curious. Why does GM use these bolts (picture below)? Some of them were used to hold my coil packs on. and some were used to hold the coil pack bracket to the valve cover. Why? I searched and it seems all the LS1's came with those bolts.

Apr 6, 2013 | 06:46 PM

KingPin1094

Thread Starter

TECH Enthusiast

iTrader: (12)

Joined: Sep 2012

Posts: 557

Likes: 1

From: OH

okay it wont let me upload a photo. Its those 10mm bolts that bolt in, but are also threaded at the top as well.

Apr 6, 2013 | 06:54 PM

Decadence75

TECH Resident

iTrader: (17)

Joined: Nov 2011

Posts: 878

Likes: 1

From: Pearl, MS

I'm not really sure but I hated them. My guess is that they had a crap ton of these from some period where they needed a bolt/stud that would also have something else bolted to the top of it and just re-purposed them. I picked up a set of stainless hardware from Potz on ebay for real cheap. Had the TB, MAF, TB sensors, coil, coil bracket and intake bolts all in a hex head stainless.

Apr 6, 2013 | 07:17 PM

Beatdown Z

TECH Addict

iTrader: (18)

Joined: Jan 2007

Posts: 2,148

Likes: 0

From: Newark, DE

On trucks, two of them are used for brackets.

Apr 6, 2013 | 07:29 PM

KingPin1094

Thread Starter

TECH Enthusiast

iTrader: (12)

Joined: Sep 2012

Posts: 557

Likes: 1

From: OH

Okay cause i really wanna change them out so they are all hex bolts. I just wanted to make sure there was no "special" reason they were used that i was unaware of.

Apr 6, 2013 | 08:18 PM

RedHotG8

TECH Fanatic

iTrader: (1)

Joined: May 2010

Posts: 1,419

Likes: 1

From: Chicagoland

They are used so the threads in the valve cover don't get stripped out.

Apr 6, 2013 | 08:25 PM

KingPin1094

Thread Starter

TECH Enthusiast

iTrader: (12)

Joined: Sep 2012

Posts: 557

Likes: 1

From: OH

Quote:

Originally Posted by RedHotG8

They are used so the threads in the valve cover don't get stripped out.

how would that prevent that at all?

Amazing '71 Camaro Restomod Is Modern Muscle Car Under the Skin

Verdad Gallardo

6 Common C5 Corvette Failures and What's Involved In Repairing Them

Pouria Savadkouei

Retro Modern Bandit Pontiac Trans AM Comes With Burt Reynolds' Autograph

Verdad Gallardo

Top 10 Greatest Cadillac V Series Performance Models Ever, Ranked

Pouria Savadkouei

Top 10 Most Powerful Chevy Trucks Ever Made!

Hennessey's New Supercharged Silverado ZR2 Has 700 HP

Verdad Gallardo

Coachbuilt N2A Anteros Is an LS2-Powered C6 Corvette In Italian Clothes

Verdad Gallardo

Awesome K5 Blazer Restomod Comes With C7 Corvette Power

Verdad Gallardo

10 Camaros You Should Never Buy

10 LS Engine Myths That Refuse to Die

Verdad Gallardo

Apr 6, 2013 | 09:29 PM

KingPin1094

Thread Starter

TECH Enthusiast

iTrader: (12)

Joined: Sep 2012

Posts: 557

Likes: 1

From: OH

Quote:

Originally Posted by RedHotG8

Because the nut is loosened and tightened to remove and replace the coil bracket leaving the threaded stud in the valve cover.

i was thinking thats how they were supposed to be used, but mine were not used that way. it was just bolted down without a nut, so if i had to remove the coil bracket id have to take it out anyway.

Apr 6, 2013 | 09:41 PM

#10

LOHRTBT

TECH Enthusiast

iTrader: (12)

Joined: Dec 2002

Posts: 650

Likes: 0

Potz has a great product and price!

Apr 6, 2013 | 09:44 PM

#11

RedHotG8

TECH Fanatic

iTrader: (1)

Joined: May 2010

Posts: 1,419

Likes: 1

From: Chicagoland

The previous owner must have put them in wrong. Since you don't have the nuts you might as well replace the studs with screws like the other guys did. Just be careful not to overtighten them. Some blue removable locktite will keep them from loosening up.

Apr 6, 2013 | 11:13 PM

#12

Decadence75

TECH Resident

iTrader: (17)

Joined: Nov 2011

Posts: 878

Likes: 1

From: Pearl, MS

Quote:

Originally Posted by RedHotG8

This is a pic of what the OP is talking about. These are the standard bolts used to attach both the coils to the bracket and the bracket to the valve cover. It is neither a bolt nor a stud but some kind of in between. Sorry for the fuzzy pic, it was just a quick snap in the dark garage.

Apr 6, 2013 | 11:51 PM

#13

99Bluz28

TECH Senior Member

iTrader: (35)

Joined: Nov 2007

Posts: 9,705

Likes: 12

From: C. V., Kalifornia

I think they're were used for the engine covers on the corvette motors

Apr 6, 2013 | 11:59 PM

#14

RedHotG8

TECH Fanatic

iTrader: (1)

Joined: May 2010

Posts: 1,419

Likes: 1

From: Chicagoland

Yeah the head isn't threaded, it's a headed pin that a rubber grommet on the engine cover snaps onto.

Apr 7, 2013 | 12:43 AM

#15

Decadence75

TECH Resident

iTrader: (17)

Joined: Nov 2011

Posts: 878

Likes: 1

From: Pearl, MS

Quote:

Originally Posted by RedHotG8

Yeah the head isn't threaded, it's a headed pin that a rubber grommet on the engine cover snaps onto.

I think that the OP's reasoning was that why would GM use a bolt that holds on FRC in a vehicle that they do not make FRC for. In other words why stick us with a pointy useless bolt that just gets in our way and cuts up our arms for no reason.

Apr 7, 2013 | 09:20 AM

#16

KingPin1094

Thread Starter

TECH Enthusiast

iTrader: (12)

Joined: Sep 2012

Posts: 557

Likes: 1

From: OH

Quote:

Originally Posted by Decadence75

Exactly!

Apr 8, 2013 | 03:33 PM

#17

FourG63 97GST

Launching!

iTrader: (1)

Joined: Mar 2006

Posts: 295

Likes: 22

From: South Florida

yes, the corvette uses them for covers, they were in the parts bin is my guess.

Apr 8, 2013 | 05:57 PM

#18

spy2520

12 Second Club

iTrader: (3)

Joined: Feb 2005

Posts: 3,513

Likes: 1

From: Waldorf, MD

I'm thinking it's probably because all ls1s were on the same assembly line, and the valve covers and coil brackets probably went on well before any vehicle specific parts (accessory drive, etc) were put on in the line.