Technical Info on Flathead Head Acorn Nut Covers?

Wondering how to secure the chrome acorn nut cover to 11/16" head bolt.I got a set,and they are not tight.Running a 51 Flathead,and used the original head bolts on vintage Edelbrock heads.Thanks for any info.on this.Dave

 

Dab of silicone.

 

try a piece of tin foil, over the head, then trim after installing the cover.

 

I used silicone.

 

I used a cold chisel on one flat of the hex to expand it just a little. Too much and removing the covers later is a problem. To remove the cover I use a screw driver on opposite sides and walk them off. This has served me for over 30 years.

 

Silicone for me as well!

 

I have used a couple drops of red loctite.

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You could also use a center punch and dimple a side or two. May give you more control over tightness. Tape of some kind would also work to tighten them.

 

I never had to do anything,just taped them on and in the 13 years I owned the car I never lost one. HRP

 

Red high temp silicone

 

squeeze all nut caps in a vice , for caps that are loose very carefully, silicone sounds better

 

vote #2 for the red high temp silicone. done me well for 12 years

 

All the acorns are loose on my flathead but in the 4 years of driving it I have yet to loose a single one

 

I used a chisel on mine as well. Pretty easy to do


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When I built my first flathead in 1965 I couldn't afford nut covers (I was 15 and all of my income came from mowing lawns in the hood in Calimesa), sooo I painted each bolt head (8BA) with aluminum paint, Testors model paint and a small brush. Masked around each of six sides of each bolt, took all day. You wealthy guys and your chrome accorns......... I used to lust after the nut covers at Western Auto... story of my life.

 

vote #3 for the red high temp silicone.

 

Put a little tape on the head nut.


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Just a dab of plain old silicone.

 

lite squeeze in vise worked for me.

 

Two ways I've used:

1. Punch a dimple on one side with a centerpunch. Install with dimple on blind side.

2. A bit of electrician's putty. Stays pliable & re-useable.

 

I've had them on 2 different Flathead Motors and used the red Loctite on both. Never had one come loose.

 

Now I'll guess you'll want those wonderful 2-piece spark plug covers.

 

I used thin strips of a beer can tapped on with a leather hammer.

 

Silicone

 

I just painted the engine and put the nut covers on while the paint was still wet. they never moved.

 

Hey Dave,
There IS an option to the 'covers'....use polished stainless steel acorn nuts.
If you did not know, they are available and look nice....and are PRICEY!

 

But ive heard that you never should mix carbonsteel with stainless especally if there is hot and cold.

I am thinking of get ss for my '46 flathead, have tou tried with ss nuts on your cylinder heads?

 

I used liquid soilder

 

Best way is to use stainless acorn nuts.

 

RTV Silicone works just fine and you can pry them off easily. Nothing wrong with the original head bolts


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