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BN2 Bolts are whithworth or BSF

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M

musme

Senior Member
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Are the bolts and nuts of a BN2 withworth or BSF ??
I am very confused. Moss Motors offers BSF tap and dies, but some people tells me the bolts and nuts are withworth . What is the difference ? What should I buy ?
Thanks,
 
I'm not a Healey expert, but I'd have thought they were UN threads (basically, American standards).

BSF (British Standard Fine) and BSW(British Standnard Whitworth) were standards in the UK up to WWII, but during and after the war were phased out in favour of the Unified Threads, coarse and fine.
BSF was used in fine thread situations, BSW in coarse. So studs in aluminium, for example, would be BSW. They share the same hexagon sizes, though usually one size different. A 1/4" BSW has the same dimension as a 5/16" BSF. Dimensions are always quoted in stem diameter, not hexagon sizes.
One set of spanners will do for both BSF and BSW (they should be spanners, being British, though I hear wrenches work too!) and are often marked with both sizes.
 
Many fasteners are BSF. I'm working on my 100 now and the rear spring U-bolts are BSF as are the shock links. However, they (of course) don't require Whitworth tools.

A a lot of the intake/exhaust and cooling system fasteners require Whitworth tools. Sometimes it's hard to predict where they will turn up.

Both BSF and Whitworth nuts and bolts ARE available - mostly from the UK. The prices are high but the shipping is even higher. Try to minimize the latter by ordering all at once, more than you'll need.
 
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