'57 Johnson Javelin

[BoatBuoy]

I recently acquired a '57 Johnson Javelin that's in pretty good shape. I'm going to paint the cowl and get the emblems re-plated. I've done this on a '56 Javelin, and in removing the emblems, I broke several of the small studs that the "speed nuts" push on to. These "speed nuts" are made from spring steel and made to push onto a stud, not unlike the speed nuts or "keepers" that the factory uses on a brake drum studs to keep them in place while locating the wheel. Does anybody have any tricks in removing these speed nuts?

SPEED NUT

 

[rickdb1boat]

Re: '57 Johnson Javelin

I dremel them off and buy new ones. Just have to cut one side and they pop off. They are tough to get off without at least gouging the plastic they are attached to...

 

[BF]

Re: '57 Johnson Javelin

ditto... and I have used aluminum washers (the little aluminum rings that you buy as backing plates for pop riviets) as new ones... (just 'cause they're easier to find). Just slip them on and then squeeze 'em with pliers to make them oval and snug.

Sometimes I have also been able to use a sharp awl and needle nose pliers to bend the keepers open.. slide them off, and pound them flat and re-use them.

Also, when I've broken the studs off of things, sometimes I've used a machine screw to replace them...or if possible (if they're hollow plastic and there's some stud left), epoxied a cut finishing nail into the center, and re-used the broken piece of plastic. Cut the head off the nail if need be, and score the length of the nail with a file, to give the epoxy something to bite to.

good luck