I'm to the point where I'm done taking apart, and its time to start putting back together. Looking over my shelves of ziplock baggies of hardware, I realize I have a lot of bolts that are too rusty to reuse as is... So, I'm contemplating my options:

1.) Replace with new - I could just purchase new stuff from the hardware stores or corvette vendors, I do think I will have some trouble finding all of the same pieces though... When I install them, I would just use anti-seize on everything to make it easier for the next guy :D

2.) Sand blast & ??? - Some of the bolts would not be easy to find exact replacements for. Some of the bolts have a conical point at the start of the threads, not to mention the possiblility of a non-standard length. So, I could sand blast them clean, but then what? I can't see painting them would work very well, especially not on the threads, or on the head where metal to metal contact would be....

3.) Replace with Stainless - Again, some of the bolts would probably be difficult to find exact replacements for without doing some lathe work. Also, I am unfamiliar with the strength rating for SS bolts - same as their steel cousins?

I guess I am curious what other people have done.....

 

I've done just about all of the above. But I tried to use new where I could. I went to a local bolt supply warehouse with a list. Much cheaper there, then at a hardware store. I stayed with grade 8 on my suspension, but used stainless just about every where else.
Good Luck

 

:iagree:
Pretty much my same strategy. Grade 8 on critical stuff (suspension, etc), high strength ARP stainless on engine and a few other spots, lower grade 316 stainless on low-load stuff (fan shroud, etc), and blast and recoat on unique fasteners that would be difficult or expensive to duplicate.
Turned out pretty good, usually win Best in Class or Best in Show and turns a 8.11@87.5mph in the 1/8, driven to and from all shows and the dragstrip.
Jeff

 

no_radio / Jeff
What did you recoat the bolts with?


[Modified by 75 BBC Stingray, 5:01 PM 2/8/2004]

 

Take a look at Eastwoods abrasive systems for nuts and bolts.

Stainless is generally between grade 2 and grade 3. Stainless is available in grade 8 but be prepared to pay $$$.

Lots of bolts seem to have odd lengths. I would try the Eastwoods stuff.

Try your local Caterpillar dealer for grade 8 bolts that may not be available at your local hardware store.

 

Like mentioned above...a little of everything....from sand blasting old to buying new...replacing with stainless to buying grade 8. Eastwood Co also has a blackening system that coats old with a new coating. Purchasing the proper length of bolts is also a problem...solved by cutting and re-threading.
I've found that the bolt heads are the hardest to match. Dr. Rebuild has the most extensive line of original Vette hardware I've seen. Grainger has a great selection of general hardware.
Eddie


[Modified by Silvr77, 4:40 PM 2/8/2004]

 

I nearly always replace. I replace with grade 9 gold cadmim plated, use lots of anti seize and run a tap through the hole if not using a nut.
Anything that is not replaced and this is rear gets a thorough cleaning with the wire wheel. I DON"Y sandblast bolts, too hard on the threads. Wire wheel works great and often use it to clean up an already replaced bolt.
I almost never put a bolt in dry.
I use stainless on the headers, intake and waterpump.

 

Norval, do you also use grade 9 on suspension components? I have grade 5 & 6 on mine, they allow for more flex. Grade 8 is a lot more brittle and grade 9 will be even worse. It's excellet for fastening stuff that is mounted rigid but what about rtailing arm bolts, shock bolts and so on....

 

I'm do use grade 9 on the suspension. I guess I like the look of the gold plating. I just got my 1/2 inch bolts for mounting the shocks and they are also grade 9. Maybe that is why I order 2 of everything just in case.
I even have used grade 10 on occassions.
I agree Twin Turbo the lower grades have more give. Even my calipers are installed with grade 9.
My new 16 mm bolts for the 5/8th heim joints or only grade 5 because that is what I had in stock.

 

As for what to do with the bolts, I replaced a lot of stuff with MIL spec bolts (lots of 12 pnt), and also a lot of them with metric stuff (where there's a bolt and a nut through a hole). Because a lot of stuff is simply impossible to get here I cleaned (chemically in petroleum first and then in industrial alcalycs -p?? - cleaner) and plated them in bright silver. gold cad was also an option but I liked the silver better:

 

I replaced the engine stuff with 12 bolt ARP stuff, for the body and other parts I shopped at AMK products. They have a wide variety of OEM style fasteners in multiple finishes.

Cheers
Nick

 

In my case, and in trying to do somewhere of an original restore, I've purchased new hardware (from Paragon and Doc Rebuild) for the stuff that can be seen. For other stuff, I brush/rinse them off in my parts washer, stick them in a screen strainer I have, and shoot them with the sandblaster while shaking the strainer. Takes about 2 minutes to clean a bunch.

:smash:

 

What all sizes do you guys "stock" IE what all do ya have stored up knowing you'll need later on?

I always seam to need loose bolts/nuts and never have them available... I really need to get a couple pounds, just looking for sizing that is proven :cheers:

 

If you are looking for an NCRS correct restoration, save as many of your old bolts as you can. Wire wheel works great, then chase the threads with a die or tap on the nuts and weld-nuts. Re-plate as original. If you don't care about "correct" then get grade 8 at your local fastener store and modify lengths as needed.

 

Hi Norval,
I'm on a mission to replace every nut and bolt I can find.
What should I "wet" the bolts with when reinstalling them?

 

I sent a pile of bolts and things to get silver cad plated. A friend of mine was restoring a '67 Chevelle SS396 at the same time so we pitched in all our stuff together since the minimum charge was $65, and all our stuff together wasn't more than the minumum. Turned out pretty nice.
I have also painted some bolts, though that isn't good if you need to remove/reinstall more than once.
Jeff