Where does this bolt go?

[MAC702]

Okay, here's one...

I found this broken bolt on the ground near where I park my trucks. Looks automotive, too. A 9/16" socket fits okay on the head, but a 14mm fits perfectly. Definitely looks like a broken end at the threads, so who knows how long it used to be? I don't see any obvious missing bolts in any vehicle, and all are running and driving just fine.

The head has a "C" and three dots (in a pyramid layout, underneath the "C") in the center part, and an "S", a "U", and a "B" spaced out around the flange of the head.

The usual suspects:
1995 Ford F-250 with 460 V-8 and E40D auto gearbox
1996 Dodge Ram 3500 4X4 with Cummins diesel and auto gearbox
2001 Saturn SL2 with manual gearbox

[coalsmoke]

looks ford to me. Check your accessory mounts on your ford.

[MAC702]

Okay, a cursory look through the Ford's upper engine shows lots of bolts that have the same "S," "U," and "B" markings, but none with the "C" marking. When the sun drops, I'll crawl underneath with a light and check out everything from underneath.

[Caliber]

Exhauset manifold bolt, look on your cummins,,,

[fyoung]

Mac, Was this bolt from the manifold? That would have been my guess also.
FArris

[Blacksmith]

Third guess for exhaust manifold bolt.

[vicegrip]

Okay, here's one...

I found this broken bolt on the ground near where I park my trucks. Looks automotive, too. A 9/16" socket fits okay on the head, but a 14mm fits perfectly. Definitely looks like a broken end at the threads, so who knows how long it used to be? I don't see any obvious missing bolts in any vehicle, and all are running and driving just fine.

The head has a "C" and three dots (in a pyramid layout, underneath the "C") in the center part, and an "S", a "U", and a "B" spaced out around the flange of the head.

The usual suspects:
1995 Ford F-250 with 460 V-8 and E40D auto gearbox
1996 Dodge Ram 3500 4X4 with Cummins diesel and auto gearbox
2001 Saturn SL2 with manual gearbox

Facinating Captain !It came off a submarine that the Iluminaty is building !
but how came it to your place?

[unkle spike]

I read this week that the shuttle crew dropped a bolt this week while doing some minor assembly task on the International Space Station.....:eek:

It couldn't be could it?

My guess would be exhaust manifold, third hole from the back, but without smelling it I could not be for sure.....

[fyoung]

Did Mac ever put the bolt back where it belongs? or figure out where it belongs?
Farris

[MAC702]

I still have to crawl under the Ford and check everything from the bottom, but its top looks clear, as do top and bottom of the Dodge. My money's still on something with the Ford because of the common flange markings on some other bolts. From the top, it looks like the exhaust manifold on the driver's side is on with bolts and the other side is studs, but I'll know more when I get on the other angle.

[KennyG]

I agree with everyone else. It is an exhaust manifold bolt. Check them carefully one at a time.

[tigman]

Mac if any of these vehicles were bought used it could have been laying somewhere on the vehicle from a previous fix and you may never find a hole for the missing bolt.

Does the break look new or is it rusty like the rest of the bolt.

[MAC702]

Does the break look new or is it rusty like the rest of the bolt.
Good question! I wouldn't say it looks as old as the rest of the bolt, but it certainly does NOT look new. How long would it have to sit in the dirt for it to lose its sheen from being a clean break? Other vehicles also pass through into the yard through where I park, so there is also a chance it came off of a friend's vehicle as we were unloading something back here.

[Keith_L]

looks ford to me. Check your accessory mounts on your ford.

That's a good suggestion. These have a tendency to loosen up. Look over the entire FEAD on the 460.

[J Hall]

I'm with Tigman on this. I would have to lay around quite a while in LV for the break to weather. It might not even be your bolt.
Jeff

[bjfab]

If I had a Ford and a Dodge in the driveway and only found one bolt there I would consider it lucky. Probably more out on the highway.

Byron

[Bob S2]

Also check maybe the bolts holding the transfer case to the trans and the trans to the motor. Was under a friends truck years ago that he'd bought used. The transfer case was held on by two bolts, the rest were there but just in the holes loose. Figured case must have been taken out at some point and when put back in it they were just stuck in, never tightened down.
--Bob

[AV8OR]

What fun! Drive by Mac’s house each night and toss a “mystery part” under his truck!