11 replies to this topic

[AntsClubby]

Hey,
Im looking to get a good assorted set of nuts and bolts for rebuilding (engine, body etc)
Im going to find a local hardware shop, im not paying 40p for a 1/2" bolt from certain reatilers!ha!

What have you got in your box??
Im thinking 5/16, 3/8 and 1/2...3/4",1"and 1.5" plus washers, locknuts etc

Is there a recommended place to buy say little packs from for various jobs?
Ive seen a few at shows but cant think of the names now

Cheers

[Shifty]

Namrick are good.

[conlad]

Something to look into? :)

http://www.aseriessp.../prod_1027.html

[AntsClubby]

Haha that link certainly would be for a nut and bolt restoration! It would work out cheap though!!
Namrick..im sure that was one if heard of before, that 450pc looks good...have you had one? What sizes are in it?

Ive a friend of a friend that works in the trade so going to give him a try 1st now ive remembered!
I know there all UNF thread, shame that site doesnt give a list of whats in the box....what would be a good starting kit to ask him for if youve any ideas?

Cheers

[Dan]

I know there all UNF thread

No they aren't. Minis are covered in different threads. There are UNF, UNC, BA, BSF, Whit, various pipe threads, metric and even metric extra fine on various different parts and aftermarket parts of various Minis. Get yourself a decent parts catalogue, or use the Somerford Mini website, to find what fixings are needed all over the car. Don't go to a hardware shop, they will sell you garbage. Buy from a nut and bolt factor or engineering supplier for most parts if you don't want to go to a Mini specialist (where they will know what to sell you for a certain part). The grade of a fastener is just as important as the size and thread and there are many areas where using chocolate screws could kill you or someone else. There are a few parts such as the front suspension tie rod, steering column pinch bolt and many engine parts where there is no substitute for a standard part and using a generic bolt or screw will cause trouble.

[tractor]

I know there all UNF thread

No they aren't. Minis are covered in different threads. There are UNF, UNC, BA, BSF, Whit, various pipe threads, metric and even metric extra fine on various different parts and aftermarket parts of various Minis.

would you say unf is the most common size Dan?, i need to get some bolts for my alternator bracket on the front i think they're 5/16 and was thinking i might as well order a big handful just so I've got them, simular with the nuts that hold the master cylinders to the bulk head i think they're 5/16 are they likly to be unf? i might as well get a handfull of those as well

i just don't want to start collecting/wasting money on nuts and bolts i'm never likely to use

[Stevie W]

Hi,
If you're looking to buy bolts/nuts/washers, there are a few people on Ebay that sell different kits for different areas of a Mini.
For example you can buy front or rear subframe fittings kits which supply most of "standard" fasteners required.
I've used stainless fasteners on non-critical areas of my Mini and again these are available from Ebay.
There's a bloke runs a company called "Smiffys bits" I think and he does a good range of fasteners.
Cheers, Steve.

[tractor]

yeah i've used him in the past, i'll have a look at kits then

[JVA10L]

I've just bought the 450pc kit from Namrick. Good assortment and fast delivery but a bit expensive for delivery.

[Cooperman]

Namrick really are very good indeed. I buy a 450 piece assortment every 6 months or so plus any additional specific bolts & nuts I need.

[tiger99]

You are being given excellent advice from various people, and for once there seems to be very good agreement!

I would just add, for the sake of clarity, that your master cylinder fixings are studs which are a permanent part of the pedal box, not bolts. As you only want nuts, UNF is correct, with a lockwasher.

Nearly everything else is UNF, except a few engine bits, and some electrical stuff, but the majority of threads which go into castings, including the gearbox, are UNC. I would agree that a UNF assortment from Namrick is a good starting point, but you will not need so many UNC.

As has been said, no stainless except on parts which are purely cosmetic, not structural. There are actually not too many places which are not structural in some way, unfortunately. But you can smarten things up by using zinc plated allen bolts in some places. They will be grade 10.9, which is stronger that grade 8.8, used as standard in most places.

Don't use bolts from B&Q etc, as they are usually not high tensile and may be very dangerous.

UNC or Whitworth (Whitworth needs different spanners) are best on exhaust clamps and such like, as they tend to be able to come apart more readily than the finer threads, once a bit of rust is present. But most people cut those off anyway, and fit new ones as needed, so it may not matter. Stainless is safe enough there, but a stainless nut on a stainless bolt may suffer from galling, a form of cold welding, and not want to come apart again. Use lots of grease if you use stainless on stainless.

Brass 5/16" UNF is best for manifolds. You get special thicker nuts for these, as the material is weaker and so needs more threads engaged.

You also get modern nuts with built-in serrated washer, which are self locking. These are ok, as are flanged nuts, which avoid the need for a plain washer.

I expect you are aware that engine internals use their own special bolts, e.g main and big end bearings. Uprated bolts are available, at considerable cost, for tuned engines. In my opinion they are worth the money, as a failure there generally writes off the engine and possibly the gearbox too.

Edited by tiger99, 28 August 2012 - 07:22 PM.

[Tamworthbay]

C.w. fasteners in Tamworth are excellent, they have a website and will do mail order. They are happy to sell 1 bolt if that is what you need, there is no minimum order like a lot of places.