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bolts and screws

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bolts and screws #1
bawest	Posted: October 07, 2004 08:51PM Registered: 9 years ago Posts: 63

I want to replace my bolts as I rebuild my car, but I don't want to pay a buck a piece for them from moss. Can I go to the hardware store and purchase a bunch of stainless bolts to use instead? How do I know what sizes I need. Right now, I'm doing the front end, and I don't have bolts for the rotors or the locking nuts. Can I just purchase these from the hardware store and what grade should I buy?

1970, 1970 mgb's (one keeper one doner)

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Re: bolts and screws #2
John D. Weimer Cape Girardeau, MO, USA	Posted: October 07, 2004 09:02PM Registered: 13 years ago Posts: 21,577

Take old bolts with you and compare until you get what you want, they're nothing special, grade 5 is recommended, (3 marks radiating outward from the center of the head). Stainess bolt heads won't be marked that way and don't use stainess in highly stressed areas like on the suspension or brakes. Get your brake hardware from Moss or whomever, that's special stuff even if it may look common.

My Motto: Clean Body, Clean Mind...................... Take Your Pick.

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Re: bolts and screws #3
Steve F Wylie, TX, USA 1963 MG Magnette 1966 MG MGB 1978 MG MGB	Posted: October 07, 2004 09:40PM Registered: 11 years ago Posts: 2,817

But don't be surprised if you can't find them at Home Depot/Lowes. I buy them by the box from the smaller "mom & pop" stores (Handyman, Ace ect) (less expensive in the long run). If you have an old Western Auto they may also sell them.

63 MK IV Farina
66 B
78 B

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Re: bolts and screws #4
John D. Weimer Cape Girardeau, MO, USA	Posted: October 07, 2004 10:01PM Registered: 13 years ago Posts: 21,577

Farm supply stores are good places to buy hardware. Most of them sell it by the pound, just pick out what you want from the bins, bag it and write what you got on the bag(s). They also have really big bolts for those special applications you may have. Farm implement dealers for even bigger stuff and marine drydock facilities if you need REAL big stuff like a nut that's 8 or 10 inches across the flats.

My Motto: Clean Body, Clean Mind...................... Take Your Pick.

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Re: bolts and screws #5
autoist Tony Barnhill Gurley, Alabama, USA 1953 MG TD 1956 MG Magnette ZB 1959 MG MGA 1959 MG MGA Coupe 1960 MG Magnette MkIII → more	Posted: October 07, 2004 10:01PM Registered: 9 years ago Posts: 10,726

Yep, I go to my local hardware store...he carries everything because I use so many...its cheaper to buy them by the box...oh, if you want to contact them: Stone's Hardware in Gurley, AL 256.776.3653

however, I recently bought a little circular plastic brush thingee at Harbor Freight...hook it into my drill press & it makes old bolts look new including cleaning out threads - time consuming to hold individual bolts up to it but relaxing also!

Post Edited (10-07-04 20:04)

Tony Barnhill
Supplying Member: Used Parts for All MG's ~ New Parts for all LBC's
MOSS Distributor & VICTORIA BRITISH Dealer

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Re: bolts and screws #6
Wray Wray Lemke ., South Carolina, USA 1956 MG MGA 1958 MG Magnette ZB Varitone 1973 MG MGB 1974 MG MGB GT 1974 MG MGB GT	Posted: October 07, 2004 10:13PM Registered: 11 years ago Posts: 10,997

I get my stainless from a local fastener supply house. They have all the fine thread stuff in the different sizes. Very reasonable in price to buy boxes of 100. I've gone through a lot of 1/4-28.

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Re: bolts and screws #7
Paul_80MGB	Posted: October 07, 2004 10:19PM Registered: 9 years ago Posts: 1,475

can also try Totally stainless.com if you know the sizes you need.

They had kits for my Buick...they also have any size, head shape, etc you need.

Paul

My 1980 MGB
An MG is never 'finished', if there is nothing for
you to currently work on it is merely 'resting'.

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Re: bolts and screws #8
Ryder	Posted: October 08, 2004 03:58AM Registered: 8 years ago Posts: 20

All comments noted but surely first step is that all MG Bolts and Screws
were originally UNF which is not always compatible with US UNC.
Exceptions are electrics and certain body fittings which use BA (British Association) - usually 2BA
James

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Re: bolts and screws #9
Gerry Gerry Masterman Prairieville, Louisiana, USA	Posted: October 08, 2004 07:11AM Registered: 13 years ago Posts: 18,629

UNF is never compatable with UNC, UNF is fine thread while UNC is coarse thread. The vast majority of fasteners on a MGB are UNF with just a few UNC where they screw into alloy, such as starter mount and rear tranny mounts. Stuff on carbs or electrical items are whatever the manufacturer wanted to use that day. I buy most of my fasteners by the box from McMaster-Carr. 5/16" is the most popular size, but 1/4" and 10-32 is also used. I use lots of stainless except in critical locations like suspension or brake systems.

Signature removed at Skye's request

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Re: bolts and screws #10
Limey Eric Marshall Southeast Michigan, USA 1971 MG MGB GT "The "Twisted GT"" 1974 MG MGB	Posted: October 08, 2004 07:26AM Registered: 9 years ago Posts: 9,178

I'm with Gerry - I get my stuff by the box from McMaster Carr. Shipping is cheap, and they are in Ohio so I typically get stuff the next day - I can order up to 7:00pm on a weekday and stuff still comes the next day, typically around $4 for shipping!

In the spirit of GEM Enterprises, I am contemplating putting together some kits useful to MGB's. At the moment I am thinking about a three relay lights/horn kit that fits onto the radiator support strut, a stainless steel screw kit for the windshield frame, stainless wingnut kit for the dash fitting bolts, and a stainless nut/bolt/washer assortment suitable for various MG applications. I may also sell an assembled Velleman ignition kit.

I would like to know who would be interested in what to give me some idea if I should continue.

Eric and Mary
us-marshalls.net
1974 MGB, 1971 Piper Cherokee, 1971 MGBGT
..... and 1978 Kawasaki KZ650-B2

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Re: bolts and screws #11
Wray Wray Lemke ., South Carolina, USA 1956 MG MGA 1958 MG Magnette ZB Varitone 1973 MG MGB 1974 MG MGB GT 1974 MG MGB GT	Posted: October 08, 2004 07:51AM Registered: 11 years ago Posts: 10,997

The only problem I've had with McM/C is that they have so many choices for each bolt/nut/washer. Type, head style, size, thickness, etc. I bought some stuff and it wasn't quite the same as what I was getting from the hardware store or the local supplier. Like #10 SS washers. Smaller than I'm used to.

This is because I didn't measure the diameter of the washer, not that they didn't have them. I just didn't order the right ones.

Get your stuff from them if you are a real stickler for the correct size. I've noticed a lot of nuts and washers on the ZBV are slightly smaller and thinner than what we usually see. McM/C has them of course, in several grades of stainless. They have everything.

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Re: bolts and screws #12
Gerry Gerry Masterman Prairieville, Louisiana, USA	Posted: October 08, 2004 08:14AM Registered: 13 years ago Posts: 18,629

Wray, I've run accross the same problem with washers-you really need to know both the od plus the thickness to be able to get what you want. But once you get past the info gathering, the rest is easy. Their service is great and selection is better than great.

Signature removed at Skye's request

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Re: bolts and screws #13
Gerry Gerry Masterman Prairieville, Louisiana, USA	Posted: October 08, 2004 08:17AM Registered: 13 years ago Posts: 18,629

Eric, instead of fighting the nuts on top of the dash, I have started using 5/16" rubber grommets instead. Lot's easier to deal with. With the bottom dash mount bolts in place, the dash is still pretty stable

Signature removed at Skye's request

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Re: bolts and screws #14
Limey Eric Marshall Southeast Michigan, USA 1971 MG MGB GT "The "Twisted GT"" 1974 MG MGB	Posted: October 08, 2004 08:32AM Registered: 9 years ago Posts: 9,178

Gerry - I did the same thing! But I did find that I needed two nuts in place - one on each end, to stop a rattle. That was when I had the wingnut idea - but they are 1/4-28 threads and none of the local hardware stores have them - so I checked McMaster-Carr. I haven't purchased them yet, but since I will buy 50, I wondered if anybody else wanted to do the same thing.

It sure does make taking the dash out a simple job - the hardest part is getting the fresh air ducts back in place during re-installation. But with the glovebox out, even that isn't too difficult!

Eric and Mary
us-marshalls.net
1974 MGB, 1971 Piper Cherokee, 1971 MGBGT
..... and 1978 Kawasaki KZ650-B2

How to advertise on this website

Bits4Brits Headlight relay kits, replacement fuse box kits, headlight alarm, overdrive "reminder", solid state voltage stabilizers and other useful "bits" to help keep your car running at its best.

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Re: bolts and screws #15
johnbamford John Bamford Colorado, USA 1969 MG MGB	Posted: October 08, 2004 12:49PM Registered: 9 years ago Posts: 1,988

Most larger cities have some place that the local body guys go to for bolts and screws. Ask whom they use. Local one here is very very good with extensive selection on hand.

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