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is it worth refurbishing nuts and bolts?
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Luegolover



Joined: 02 Mar 2017
Posts: 15
Location: London

PostPosted: Sun Sep 17, 2017 1:44 pm    Post subject: is it worth refurbishing nuts and bolts? Reply with quote

Having moved from the renovation of the inner body of my Healey 100 I am starting on the running gear. As I began cleaning the rear suspension down I put the bolts that mount the shocks in place across the wire wheel and into acid. Whilst looking at them bubbling away I began to wonder if it is worth it.

Do people try and re-use nuts and bolts or is it a case of replacing everything with new?
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MikeEdwards



Joined: 25 May 2011
Posts: 2466
Location: South Cheshire

PostPosted: Sun Sep 17, 2017 6:43 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

It all depends on whether you can get the same nut and bolts new. I've got some suspension bolts, for example, that can't be bought new because they're a little bit different, pointed ends for example to allow them to help line up components while inserting them. OK, in that example I can just grind a point on the end, but it still won't be quite the same.

So, maybe.
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Rick
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Joined: 27 Apr 2005
Posts: 22429
Location: UK

PostPosted: Sun Sep 17, 2017 7:02 pm    Post subject: Re: is it worth refurbishing nuts and bolts? Reply with quote

Luegolover wrote:
...

Do people try and re-use nuts and bolts or is it a case of replacing everything with new?


So long as they're not all chewed up or otherwise damaged, I'd re-use them. Perhaps a concours rebuild might require a different approach, but then again you might find that new bolt heads (for example) don't look right, or have inappropriate markings on them etc.

RJ
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ukdave2002



Joined: 23 Nov 2007
Posts: 4100
Location: South Cheshire

PostPosted: Sun Sep 17, 2017 8:33 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Most new fasteners are plated so often don't look correct on an older vehicle. That said I replaced just about all the fasteners when I restored my MGA.

HT studs such as cylinders studs should be replaced as a matter of course.

Dave
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Emowheels



Joined: 20 Sep 2017
Posts: 1

PostPosted: Thu Sep 21, 2017 8:28 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Hi Dave,
I would double check your old bolts & nuts for not only size & shape, but also the material; I am restoring my old pre-war and the former owners don't have a clue what bolt/nut to use, i.e. outlet manifold with steel nuts?? always brass, now I find sensor holder nut in the radiator from aluminium; it took me 2 weeks soaking in diesel to get (without damage) my temp. sensor out!
I can make this list endless. I prefer to go for the old material unless it is hopeless, but than I will remake as nearly all modern DIY material rubbish. Best to inform your club (brand car) as those enthusiasts know what and how to remake, often better than the so called experts on the Internet...
Hope this helps

MGPA and others
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winchman



Joined: 21 Feb 2014
Posts: 235
Location: Merseyside

PostPosted: Mon Sep 25, 2017 2:33 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

I reuse all I can as I have struggled in the past to get replacements
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ukdave2002



Joined: 23 Nov 2007
Posts: 4100
Location: South Cheshire

PostPosted: Mon Sep 25, 2017 8:24 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Emowheels wrote:
Hi Dave,
I would double check your old bolts & nuts for not only size & shape, but also the material; I am restoring my old pre-war and the former owners don't have a clue what bolt/nut to use, i.e. outlet manifold with steel nuts?? always brass, now I find sensor holder nut in the radiator from aluminium; it took me 2 weeks soaking in diesel to get (without damage) my temp. sensor out!
I can make this list endless. I prefer to go for the old material unless it is hopeless, but than I will remake as nearly all modern DIY material rubbish. Best to inform your club (brand car) as those enthusiasts know what and how to remake, often better than the so called experts on the Internet...
Hope this helps

MGPA and others


You should work on pre war Morris; metric threads with Whitworth heads!, UNF threads with Whitworth heads!!, and Admiralty Whitworth fine threads!!!; these had a different pitch to normal BSF threads...apart from that everything is pretty standard in the thread department Smile Smile

Dave
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Rootes75



Joined: 30 Apr 2013
Posts: 3788
Location: The Somerset Levels

PostPosted: Tue Sep 26, 2017 12:53 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Out of preference I try and use originals where possible and especially if they are seen. I can't say I like the look of plated bolt heads on a restoration.
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