Why GM? Why?

[Blue666(2)]

Why does a GM starter bolt use a 14 mm socket and a 3/8-16 thread?

I have both sets of tools but why on earth would anyone mix the two?

[LT1 Burb]

Should both 3/8”, someone screwed it up

[lumpy63]

Was very common with most american cars in the late 70s and 80s when we were converting to the metric system. Was extremely aggravating as a young mechanic having to load my cart up with both sets of tools to work on a POS smog turd with miles of vacuum hose's. A 9/16" socket didn't fit? usually pretty close...

[Blue666(2)]

Originally Posted by lumpy63

Was very common with most american cars in the late 70s and 80s when we were converting to the metric system. Was extremely aggravating as a young mechanic having to load my cart up with both sets of tools to work on a POS smog turd with miles of vacuum hose's. A 9/16" socket didn't fit? usually pretty close...

My truck has a late 70's two bolt 350, perfect time for the mixed grab bag of parts. I get that they save $0.0000000001/bolt, but is it really worth the aggravation to customers?

Accountants should not be designing cars & trucks.

[LostMy65]

Yep, the 79 donor for my 66 was a mix of metric and SAE. It even had some where you had to use two different sizes. One size for the bolt, and another size for the nut.

[lumpy63]

I hate to say it , but its almost comforting now when I work on an LS engine....One freaking set of sockets!

[BR3W CITY]

Yall keep complaining until you work on old British cars. Metric threads, or Standard threads, with Whitworth head sizes.