Technical How to attach acorn nut covers for flathead head bolts?

I am finishing up a Model A roadster that has an 8BA flathead from a 50 Ford. The engine came with some die cast chrome acorn nut covers for the head bolts that were never installed. . They are a rather loose slip fit so I was wondering what others have done to keep them in place. A dab of silicone? Liquid Nails? Any suggestions appreciated. Thanks

 

Just a dab of silicone works fine. These have been on 20 years.

 

Yep that's what I have done in the past. Works like a champ. ^^^^^

 

Always wondered this myself , knowing you have to remove them some time for repairs, paint ,etc.

 

Liquid Nails

 

RTV works too.

 

That's the fix

 

Remember, Just a little dab will do ya. Don't go nuts.

 

Even the plastic covers you can give a little squeeze in your vice and it doesn't seem to mark them and they hold the new shape. Or as said silicone.

 

I too have used a little dab of clear silicone on the Acorn Nut Covers, works like a champ! Cleans up easy when you need to remove them. Cool thing is we all have a tube of silicone in our tool chest!

 

I used to tap one edge with a center punch after they were installed.

 

Some dum-dum, ribbon caulk, or electrician's putty works great, is reusable and doesn't harden like glue or silicone.
I used to peen one side with a center punch before I discovered the putty method.

 

I tried RTV on my nut covers, big mistake. Burned like a bitch....dam-it!

 

I use a paper match. Slide it on with the match and rip off the remainder.

 

Compressed with soft jaws slightest pressure in vise.

 

Pun intended?

 

It's a lot easier to use acorn nuts.

 

Hi temp silicone! Just a dab!!

 

Strange but the ones I had were so tight I used a rubber mallet and tapped them in place. HRP

 

same here

 

The pre-'48 nuts are larger than the '49-'53 bolt heads by a few thousandths.
Acorns usually fit the nuts tight, were loose on the bolts.
As Pocono Region Mike said above, I used plumbers' dope. (it was in 1956!)

 

Yeah, but plumber's putty hardens like a rock. Electrician's putty stays pliable.