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New Member with Berkeley Problem

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william henry

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Hi I'm from Ohio USA, 68 years old and have owned a few British cars over the years. Including a 58 Berkeley (which I purchased in 64 and still own), a 69 Triumph TR6, and two Sunbeam Alpines a 63 and a 67. I am in the process of restoring the Berkeley and need to clean up the threads on the front axle shafts. Can anyone tell me the size die I would need to do this. I would assume it is Whitworth threads but everyone around here is Whitworth challenged.
 
If they aren't too badly buggered, there is a chart at https://mdmetric.com/tech/tict.htm which I find very helpful. Measure the outside diameter at the widest point with calipers (held at an angle so they rest on top of the threads, not down between them), and find the closest thread pitch with a thread gauge and eye loupe. Find the line in the chart with the diameter listed on the left that is just slightly larger than what you measured (eg a TR spindle measures .495" so use the 0.500" row), then scan to the right looking for the thread pitch you measured.

Obviously this won't always work, there are some cases where SAE and BSW have the same pitch. But in those cases, the two are more or less interchangeable anyway. The slight difference in thread angle (55 vs 60) doesn't make that much difference in practice.

FWIW, HF sells a cheap set of eye loupes https://www.harborfreight.com/5-piece-loupe-set-98722.html I have several sets, scattered around the places where I need to see small things (like how well a thread gauge matches). The local "99 cents" chain also sells reading glasses cheap in various strengths, which I find more and more essential as 'cheaters' for close work. At $1 each, I've got probably $20 worth scattered about here and there. The ones with the larger lenses are also good for keeping crud out of your eyes while under the car (tho I certainly wouldn't call them safety glasses).
 
Welcome to the Forum!
 
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