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nuts & bolts

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nevets

nevets

Jedi Knight
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As I am working on my car (front end/steering) I would like to use new fasteners instead of the old beat-up ones. The folks at Healey Surgeons said Healeys use SAE standard thread sizes, which means stuff that is readily available in hardware stores. Is this correct? Is there a preferred source for Healey fasteners? what about stainless? And, anybody know of a good nut/bolt thread gauge that will help me to identify the right size fastener? most fasteners are listed as ASME...will they work? Thanks
 
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Nevets! /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/shocked.gif ASME=American Society Of Mechanical Engineers. PS I use SS to the maximum extent practical.---Keoke /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif
 
10/32, 1/4x28, 5/16x24, and 3/8x24 are the most used nuts and bolts.
Fine thread and in various lengths.
I buy them by the box of 100, it's pennys a bolt that way.
$50 does a few cars.
Be careful where you use stainless. If you don't want it to break, don't use it there. SS is perfect for all the bits that hold sheetmetal or sub assemblys to the body. Not for suspension or holding major mechanical parts.

If you used a 7/16 wrench, it's 1/4", 1/2" wrench= 5/16 bolt, 9/16 wrench fits 3/8 bolts.
 
thanks, Keoke...I'm actually familair with the term...just wanted to verify that I can use ASME standard thread sizes. Just need to identify the fasteners so I can buy replacements. Maybe a good source on the internet?
 
Steven,

If you go to the following site, they have a pdf file on Nuts and Bolts that might help you out.

https://www.britishfasteners.com

Even better is to get a Factory Mechanical Service Parts List or printed copy. There are exploded parts views and codes for the just about every screw, bolt, nut and washer used on the Healey. For example the letter code HBZ 0624 stands for Hex Head Bolt, zinc 3/8" dia., 3"long.

Cheers,
John
 
[ QUOTE ]
Be careful where you use stainless. If you don't want it to break, don't use it there. SS is perfect for all the bits that hold sheetmetal or sub assemblys to the body. Not for suspension or holding major mechanical parts.

[/ QUOTE ] Grade 8 and better bolts are available in stainless. Check out https://totallystainless.net/totally.html and even better www.arp-bolts.com Of course, it ain't cheap.
 
Yes Greg, that is true.However High stress points as mentioned earlier should not be replaced with stainless Fasteners.---FWIW---Keoke
 
Would the bolts that hold the windshield in a BJ8 be considered high stress? I had the windshield frame rechromed, and need to replace the bolts that held it to the car. I was thinking about ss. Anyone? Thanks, Roger
 
Greg W., that's the first I've EVER heard of any stainless fasteners reaching a grade-8 rating. I went to the web site, I saw it in print, now I'm really curious what grade of SS those bolts are made of. I've worked with the percipitation hardened stainless steels before and I guess some of them like 15-5 or 17-7 could be that strong but those must be horribly expensive fasteners. Anytime you see ARP as the manufacturer you know it's going to be a good product but you also know you're going to pay for it.
 
Hi DK,
I bought my cylinder head studs, flat washers and 12 point nuts (not stainless) from ARP and the price was within $10 of what a set from Moss would have set me back. The ARP studs have a cool allen inset into the top to make installation easier.
 
This is good info and the links are appreciated. If performance is not sacrificed, then I will opt for stainless...even if it costs more...seems to me that the cost of fasteners relative to the overall investment in the car is so small as not to be a factor in the decision. Front end bolts endure a lot of shock and stress, so I'm not sure that's the place I want to experiment, but if the specs on the stainless match those of steel bolts, then maybe worth considering.
 
It doesnt help that the price of stainless has skyrocketed in the last 6 months. Add that to a weak US dollar and any stainless purchase through the UK is going to hurt much more nowadays.
 
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