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Bugeye Sprite Nut and Bolt Sizes

Bill_Reid

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I have a '60 Sprite which will soon be going back together. Although I have the nuts, bolts, etc that I removed during disassembly, there were missing pieces here and there. Additionally, I am not at all sure that those I took off are the proper sizes. Is there anything that will allow me to translate parts numbers from the Parts Manual into actual nut and bolt sizes? How did the guys at Moss and VB make the conversions? Thanks!
 
I'm not sure I understand the problem--the quick answer is, use whatever fits. It's not critical; use the diameter that fits, and make sure the length is right: long enough to hold well, not so long that it bottoms out or otherwise becomes a problem. Bolts come in different strengths, and in some obvious places like suspension this is important. Doesn't matter what you use to hold on the doors.

The bolts in the body are standard English UNC an UNF sizes. This is the story for most of the engine bolts, too. There are a very few BA screws, almost all in the carbs.

There's an article in the Wiki on British and American fasteners, under "General Techcnical Articles" that might be useful.
 
I restore at least one Spridget a year, I just buy all new nuts and bolts from McMasterCarr.com. $50 or $60 worth of brand new bolts sure beats cleaning and painting a couple hundred old rusty bolts.
For the most part you need......

10/32 x 3/4" machine screws and nuts
1/4 x 28 x 3/4" nuts, bolts, flat and split washers. (Philips machine heads too)
5/16 x 24 x 1" nuts, bolts, flat and split washers
3/8 x 24 x 1" nuts, bolts, flat and split washers.

These come in boxes of 100 from McMaster Carr.

You will need a few 5/16 x 24 1.25" long bolts, some 1/4 x 28 x 1.25, and a couple of 3/8 x 24 x 1.25" long, 3.25" long if you replace the (6) shock bolts.
All of which are available at any hardware store by the single bolt.
All bolts on a Sprite are grade 5 and were cadmium plated, I get zinc plated, not galvanized, as it is pretty close to original.
 
Bill

The "Service Parts List" has the part number for everything including fasteners. On May 1,1964 BMC published a "Parts Information Bulletin" that was essentially a fastener decoder booklet. I have a copy of the parts information bulletin that I would be happy to scan and email to you or anyone else that wants a copy.
 
Whitephrog said:
Bill

The "Service Parts List" has the part number for everything including fasteners. On May 1,1964 BMC published a "Parts Information Bulletin" that was essentially a fastener decoder booklet. I have a copy of the parts information bulletin that I would be happy to scan and email to you or anyone else that wants a copy.

Yes please Ray! PM sent
 
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