Anyone else run into issues with the repro barrel nuts for the deck lid along with the repro chrome “Mercury” script?
It seems like the script studs are a bit thinner that the originals, so the fit into the barrel nut is not as tight. I havent pushed the barel nut into the deck lid yet though and I’m not sure if that will really make much difference.
Curious what others have done if they ran into the same issue
You could consider using a wire crimping tool to very slightly egg shape the barrel nuts.
I have no experience with doing this, however, the though popped into my mind as something that might work?
No issues using the reproduction parts from WCCC. I think the script comes from John Baumann, the barrel nuts from AMK. Used many times.
Great thanks for that feedback. Both parts came from WCCC so should be good. Maybe I was fretting over nothing, I’ll give it a try this weekend and report back if any issues arise.
Reporting back, unfortunately with issues
Here you are seeing the old Mercury Script (top), new mercury script (bottom left) and the Cougar quarter panel script (right) for comparison.
The mercury script studs, new and old,are the same diameter. The cougar script is wider.
Maybe I’m missing something? Are there different size barrel nuts?
Ended up finding another bag of emblem mounting nuts I had ordered from NPD in my stash. They worked perfectly and had the little rubber grommet too
Looks like you have your fix. But the barrel nuts will squeeze together when pressed into the holes in your panels closing the gaps. However then don’t look like the ones I recall using in the past.
The barrel nuts come in two sizes. When you remove the old emblem it’s very likely that the original barrel nuts will stay in the holes. It’s best to reuse them unless they are rusty.
Barrel nuts squeeze down when you insert them into the holes. You can’t judge the fit until they are inserted.
The Cougar quarter panel emblem attaches with a thread cutting nut in 68. Not positive about 69.
Royce, Yes you would be correct. 1969-70 Cougar rear 1/4 panel scripts attach with thread cutting nuts. I think 71-73 do aswell.
The XR-7 script I got from Don Rush for the 69 Cougar deck lid had adhesive backing. No nuts required. I don’t think the '69 and the 67 - 68 are the same. Never had a 1970 so not sure about that one.
Yes, the XR7 on 70 deck lids is adhesive backed as well. But the quarter panel Cougar script uses the thread cutting nuts.
Very different from the barrel nuts on the deck lid.
Barrel nuts come in a lot more than 2 sizes. Ford is not the only manufacturer to use them. Here in the northeast (and probably other parts of the country where rust is more common) when I remove an emblem that uses barrel nuts it is not uncommon for the barrel nut to bond itself onto the emblem stud.
The 71-73 Cougars do not have a Cougar emblem on the quarter panel. The emblem is on the front fender and is held on by barrel nuts.
For all 69-73 Cougars both the Cougar and XR7 emblems on the decklid are held in place by 2 sided tape.
Randy Goodling
CCOA #95
I have mine on wrong. Now I know they insert into the hole, first, thanks to you. Appreciate it, badcatt.
Thanks all, yea I’m sure there are different sizes of barrel nuts at this point. I had the wrong ones initially as there was no chance I could have even pushed those into the 1/8 holes in the deck lid before without drilling out larger holes. I’m going to order some barrel nuts again from WCCC with my next order just to confirm. I’m sure what they have on there is correct.
Took the car out for her first spin yesterday after a 4 year restoration process, no scripts were harmed in the process 
. Next up is getting an alignment.
Guys, I’m even more stoked that I read this. I went back to do it right and noticed I was missing a repo barrel nut because I installed them incorrectly.
Looked and couldn’t find anything but 3 original barrel nuts in the trunk.
One of them worked perfectly. Now have two spares and my quarter emblems are much more secure. Thanks to all.
68’-your car looks nice.
Nice, you have to love those small easy wins!
Looks great! Love the color with the black top. But Im partial to that color!
I remember having an issue with my script too. The repro nuts just didn’t hold as tight as I would like. I kinda regret filling all of it in at time of body work and not running the scripts at all but too late now!
You can get the script with 3M adhesive on the back and no studs. They are life savers when the body shop fills in the holes.
