11 replies to this topic

[josh.goddard]

hi
i am rebuilding an engine and most of the bolts are missing as i didnt buy a complete engine i have decided i want a full stainless bolt kit does anybody know where i can get one there isnt one on smiffys bits website.
Thanks Josh

[Dan]

Stainless is not a suitable material for making most of the fixings on an engine. It's OK for holding on accessories and ancilliaries like water pumps and alternators but nothing that matters. If you do find someone selling a complete engine kit, walk away.

[redhotminilewis]

As said, stainless steel unfortunately is not acceptable for engine fixings. However, you can find stainless bolt 'covers' which go over the standard bolts to "tart" them up a little if thats what your after

Edited by redhotminilewis, 17 March 2012 - 11:42 PM.

[Cooperman]

Why would you want stainless steel engine bolts. For most engine applications a high-tensile bolt is necessary. There is so much oil around that rust in/on the engine is not an issue.

[tiger99]

And please don't think about using them elsewhere, such as subframes and suspension, or you may end up killing people, and find that your insurance is void.

There are very few places on a car where stainless can be safely used, and these are all minor brackets and cosmetic bits.

[josh.goddard]

ah i will give it a miss then

[govig]

There are many grades of stainless but you never really know what you are getting as it's likely that the supplier won't really know either. As well as the questionable strength for safety critical items, it is also a brittle alloy. You can of course use it in non safety critical applications but use plenty of copper slip grease. Whilst that has started many a debate in the past, I have loads of stainless on a bike I built 35 years ago and everything still undoes without problems when you want it to. It's good stuff in the right place/application. You aren't going to kill anyone by, say, putting the wok on with stainless fasteners are you?

Edited by govig, 18 March 2012 - 10:46 AM.

[Cooperman]

And, by the way, never screw stainless steel bolts into aluminium. The nickel content in the stainless steel reacts badly with aluminium.

[govig]

I've heard that Cooperman but that hasn't been my experience. Lotsa copperslip......

[Cooperman]

In the aerospace industry we were never allowed to use stainless steel in contact with aluminium alloy and that was the reason given. I once had a Porsche 911 and a previous owner had used stainless steel bolts to fit the ex. manifolds to the heads. When i stripped it the corrosion was very bad and I had to Heli-Coil the heads to repair it. For steel bolts into aluminium it's best to Heli-Coil first from new, as happens with aero engines, but if not then cadmium plated bolts are best.

[mike.]

Instead of stainless, what about Zinc plated bolts?

You can still get them in high tensile easily off ebay and bolt suppliers. I'm interested in switching the rusty bolt heads on stuff like the transfer case, timing cover and anything else visibly spoiling my engine bay.

What do people think of things like this: http://www.ebay.co.u...69#ht_500wt_922

[Cooperman]

Zinc plating has largely replaced cadmium plating now and has the same effect.