Down to the bolts?
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 112
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From: LaVista Ne
Down to the bolts?
Can someone tell me how big a deal it is to rebuild one with original bolts? I just got a '72 that someone else started a frame off on. I got it with the frame blasted and powder coated and the front suspension rebuilt. I am working on the rear suspension, and don't have the original bolts. I believe it is all original except the transmission is missing, and no windshield. Is it really worth it to try and find original nuts and bolts, or will hardware store stock do just fine?
Race Director
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 12,239
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From: Chino CA
I always buy new hardware. I was a machinist for 25 years....seen too many things go wrong with old cheap nuts and bolts...
Hardware store ?....you HAVE to buy the CORRECT nuts and bolts. They have different hardness and strength ratings...do your research on that.....
Hardware store ?....you HAVE to buy the CORRECT nuts and bolts. They have different hardness and strength ratings...do your research on that.....
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 2,483
Likes: 1
From: Bay Area CA
Whether to get original bolts on not depends on how stock or close to stock the car currently is. Either way, stay away from the hardware store bolts at least for the drive train and other moving parts because they may not be made of the right grade of metal for automotive use. Use replacement parts that are sold by corvette parts vendors. 
Race Director
Joined: Dec 1999
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From: Forked River NJ
Find out what type or grade bolts they are using in the application. Go to McMaster Carr or a Fastenal, they are all over the place and get the correct grade bolt. The hardware store is OK for interior stuff but suspension or engine bolts get the right stuff.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 31,267
Likes: 4,362
From: Westminster Maryland
Hi 72,
The new bots should match the size, configuration (length, unthreaded shank, length of threaded portion) and strength rating of the originals.
If the car is going to be judged on originality then the exact configuration and the headmarking become more important. For example the original bolt that mounts the rear spring to the tailing arm is quite an unusual configuration that the hardware store wouldn't have.
You can buy bolt kits that have the majority of bolts you'll need for the rear suspension.
Regards,
Alan
Some people don't like to see a car that's been put back together with screen door hardware.
The new bots should match the size, configuration (length, unthreaded shank, length of threaded portion) and strength rating of the originals.
If the car is going to be judged on originality then the exact configuration and the headmarking become more important. For example the original bolt that mounts the rear spring to the tailing arm is quite an unusual configuration that the hardware store wouldn't have.
You can buy bolt kits that have the majority of bolts you'll need for the rear suspension.
Regards,
Alan
Some people don't like to see a car that's been put back together with screen door hardware.
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From: Chino CA
Safety Car
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From: Gig Harbor WA
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 6,640
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From: Ann Arbor Michigan
If you have to have the correct head bolts, call Richard Fortier (ex Paragon owner) as he has 1000's of bolts for just about everything. But, it won't be cheap.
Gary
810-750-1472
email richfortier@chartermi.net
Gary
810-750-1472
email richfortier@chartermi.net
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 112
Likes: 0
From: LaVista Ne
Hi 72,
The new bots should match the size, configuration (length, unthreaded shank, length of threaded portion) and strength rating of the originals.
If the car is going to be judged on originality then the exact configuration and the headmarking become more important. For example the original bolt that mounts the rear spring to the tailing arm is quite an unusual configuration that the hardware store wouldn't have.
You can buy bolt kits that have the majority of bolts you'll need for the rear suspension.
Regards,
Alan
Some people don't like to see a car that's been put back together with screen door hardware.
The new bots should match the size, configuration (length, unthreaded shank, length of threaded portion) and strength rating of the originals.
If the car is going to be judged on originality then the exact configuration and the headmarking become more important. For example the original bolt that mounts the rear spring to the tailing arm is quite an unusual configuration that the hardware store wouldn't have.
You can buy bolt kits that have the majority of bolts you'll need for the rear suspension.
Regards,
Alan
Some people don't like to see a car that's been put back together with screen door hardware.
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St. Jude Donor '09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15
ME: "Did UPS come?"
Wife: "Yes, the package is on the counter"
Wife: "Were you expecting something?"
ME: "Yes, in fact I was."
Wife: "What did you buy?"
ME: "It's for me, don't worry about it?"
Wife: "Is it for that DAMN CAR again?"
ME: <silence>
Wife: "I figured as much."
Safety Car
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 3,993
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From: Gig Harbor WA
Typical conversation:
ME: "Did UPS come?"
Wife: "Yes, the package is on the counter"
Wife: "Were you expecting something?"
ME: "Yes, in fact I was."
Wife: "What did you buy?"
ME: "It's for me, don't worry about it?"
Wife: "Is it for that DAMN CAR again?"
ME: <silence>
Wife: "I figured as much."
ME: "Did UPS come?"
Wife: "Yes, the package is on the counter"
Wife: "Were you expecting something?"
ME: "Yes, in fact I was."
Wife: "What did you buy?"
ME: "It's for me, don't worry about it?"
Wife: "Is it for that DAMN CAR again?"
ME: <silence>
Wife: "I figured as much."
Get her one of these! It should buy you AT LEAST 6 months!!
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 2,483
Likes: 1
From: Bay Area CA
Typical conversation:
ME: "Did UPS come?"
Wife: "Yes, the package is on the counter"
Wife: "Were you expecting something?"
ME: "Yes, in fact I was."
Wife: "What did you buy?"
ME: "It's for me, don't worry about it?"
Wife: "Is it for that DAMN CAR again?"
ME: <silence>
Wife: "I figured as much."
ME: "Did UPS come?"
Wife: "Yes, the package is on the counter"
Wife: "Were you expecting something?"
ME: "Yes, in fact I was."
Wife: "What did you buy?"
ME: "It's for me, don't worry about it?"
Wife: "Is it for that DAMN CAR again?"
ME: <silence>
Wife: "I figured as much."
Wife: "Well... I am going to buy that new china cabinet"