Nuts, Bolts & More From AMK Products

AMK Products packages its hardware in labeled plastic bags. It’s a foolproof system that makes short work of assembly. Identify the hardware in the bag and go to work. It’s that easy.

Wondering what to do about fastening hardware for your reproduction door-handle assemblies? This attractive reproduction from Dynacorn (available from Mustang parts vendors everywhere) will do its best work with AMK Products fasteners in tow because these screws and nuts are accurate in every detail. The AMK locknut has the proper star washer, as does the Phillips-head screw.

We see so many unsuitable substitutes for headlamp door screws and tinnerman’s nuts. These sheetmetal screws and tinnerman’s nuts are correct for ’65–’66 Mustang headlamp doors.

Honeycomb always goes better with the appropriate AMK fasteners. Each package contains the exact number of screws and tinnerman’s nuts to complete installation. When it was time to install the grille on Project Ed, it was a no-brainer for us.

When it’s time to hang fenders, you would be amazed how many fasteners it takes to complete the task. When we broke out the package from AMK, this is what we found inside. There are enough tinnerman’s nuts, bolts, and other fasteners to hang both front fenders successfully. Even the rubber isolators and metal shims are included.

One important tip that will save you paint: Open the tinnerman’s nut with a screwdriver as shown and carefully slip the nut in place. Opening the clip prevents paint chipping.

Quarter-panel extensions bolt on with ease, thanks to all the necessary hardware shown here, including the felt washers.

Dynacorn International set us up with two door-latch assemblies like this one. These are outstanding reproductions that will solidify the door slam. AMK provides the correct machine screws necessary to install the latch assembly. Each door gets three screws.

When it’s time to hang and adjust the doors, we suggest you install new bolts. For solid structural integrity, opt for ’65 Mustang door bolts and plates, which are of a larger diameter than ’66–up. AMK can help. Just ask for a ’65 Mustang door-hinge bolt set.

We like these stainless-steel floorpan plug screws, designed specifically for this installation. Stainless steel offers the greatest corrosion protection.

When it’s time for assembly underneath, it’s a good idea to install new fastening hardware, especially here at the idler arm. These bolts are exposed to harsh elements in the framerail. If the frame is rusted out, you can bet idler arm and steering gear bolts have also suffered. We suggest an anti-corrosion coating over the bolt shanks, but not over the threads.

Strut rods get these good-looking cad-plated bolts.

These Dynacorn leaf spring shackles can be detailed to perfection with original equipment AMK locknuts, which come with the chassis fastener hardware kit.

No need to visit the local hardware store for these items. When you install a new Pitman arm, opt for a new retaining nut and lock washer from AMK. They are exact in detail.

All Mustang crossmembers are bolt-on units. The thing is, you can’t use just any bolt. AMK offers the enthusiast two of these specially tapered bolts for crossmember installation.

Lower control arms get these super tough cad-plated bolts. Lubricate the shank and the control arm bushing’s contact surfaces with chassis grease before installation.

Shock tower rebound bumper supports get a set of these black cad-plated bolts and zinc-plated locknuts.

If you are restoring a 1965 Mustang with a 260 or 289, be sure to tie your engine down with a hardware kit like this one.

Have you ever purchased frontend parts such as tie-rod ends or a center link and discovered you didn’t have all the castle nuts and cotter pins? AMK is here to help with all of them.

Front brake hoses get these self-tapping sheetmetal bolts.

Few things are more frustrating than installing door panels and discovering some of the retainer clips are missing or broken. These door-panel retainer clips from AMK are coated in the proper color and sport foam insulators as necessary.

Door plate scuff moldings get these waxed sheetmetal screws. The wax seals out moisture and corrosive properties, plus it serves as an insulator between the sheetmetal and the screw threads.

When we disassemble a vintage Ford and begin a restoration project, we wisely catalog every part, storing each one in an old jar or coffee can and carefully documenting the event. This enables us to reassemble the vehicle with some semblance of order, keeping our sanity along the way. Wouldn't it be wonderful if we didn't have to comb the salvage yards for those elusive fasteners that were lost during disassembly, tossed in previous repair efforts, or rusted beyond recognition? AMK Products is here to help with virtually every fastener ever used to hold an old Ford together.

We're building a modified '65 Mustang coupe, affectionately known as Project Ed. Ed is receiving its Ford Motorsport SVO 5.0L EFI GT engine elsewhere in this issue. In this article, we focus on body, chassis, and interior assembly hardware--and how we're going to get there. We called Max Kotlowski at AMK Products and picked his brain about vintage Ford fasteners. Max had solid answers. Then he shipped us enough hardware to completely assemble a '65 Mustang--modified or stock. We'll educate you about these fasteners in the pages ahead.

Body Fastener Facts

When you're tackling a vehicle more than 30 years old, fresh body hardware provides much needed relief for your car, your pocketbook, and your mind. The beauty of fresh body hardware is the time it saves you. There's no time wasted hauling cans of fasteners to the media blaster and plater, and there's no confusion. No sweat.

When you order the body fastener kit from AMK, be specific about your application because it makes a difference. If you're building a GT replica, for example, specify a body fastener kit for a GT.

The Chassis

When it's time for undercarriage assembly, you will be amazed at the stuff under there you probably haven't thought much about. While you were watching late-night "I Love Lucy" reruns and laughing hysterically, Max Kotlowski was hard at work behind the scenes at AMK pulling together an awesome assortment of correct hardware for Mustang undercarriages. With AMK's chassis fastener kit in hand, we went to work.

The name of the game at AMK is accuracy. Where you might expect a "pretty" cad-plated bolt or nut, you may find dull zinc plating for improved corrosion protection (because that's what Ford specified to begin with). This is especially true with chassis parts, which are exposed to corrosion sources like salt, road filth, and physical stress.