bolts

[enjenjo]

I have noticed lately that bolts are getting shorter. A 3" long bolt actually measures about 2 7/8", and other lengths are short from a 1/16 to 1/8 inch. I guess they are turning into "2 by 4s"

[58 Yeoman]

Yep...that goes right along with the taller but skinnier cereal boxes, etc.

[butch27]

Darn shame ain't it.  Everything adds to the profit margin.

[BFS57]

Hello;
I've had some bolts that don't thread into anything SAE or Metric! (Go Think)!

Bruce

[enjenjo]

Hello;
I've had some bolts that don't thread into anything SAE or Metric! (Go Think)!

Bruce

There are more threads than USS ans SAE. In 3/8" diameter you can get 12, 16, 18, 20, 24, 27, 28, 32, and 40 threads per inch. Not to mention metric with 10mm bolts available in 1, 1.25, or 1.5mm threads.

[Crosley.In.AZ]

yes.  I noticed this last year or so.  

We buy bolts from local bolt & nut company. They manufacture many of the products they sell.

Something I noticed too:  the flat washers hole is larger than needs to be.  I figured this was from the company trying to make 1 washer fit US  & metric thread sizes with 1 item.  Or: perhaps poor quality control?

Loose on the US bolt, tight on the metric bolt is what I see.

In some cases a washer sold as 5/16 size, will fit a 3/8 bolt too.   I am talking about grade 8 type washers.  Bit better quality than the budget stuff

[BFS57]

Hello;
I'm sure that you are aware of this one: The bolts that hold the starter on the 350 have been linked to cracking the block there because some engines have SAE threads there and some have Metric!! You visually can not tell the difference! and especially if you have changed the starter, it's a crap shoot what bolts you get with the new starter!!
I have faught that problem like a bad dinner that gave me nightmares!!

Bruce

[wayne petty]

Hello;
I'm sure that you are aware of this one: The bolts that hold the starter on the 350 have been linked to cracking the block there because some engines have SAE threads there and some have Metric!! You visually can not tell the difference! and especially if you have changed the starter, it's a crap shoot what bolts you get with the new starter!!
I have faught that problem like a bad dinner that gave me nightmares!!

Bruce

82 up production blocks are metric..

up to 82 blocks are SAE..

there are both available in GM service replacement engines..

huge hint and this is for Everybody..

the starters bolts have either stripes on the heads indicating SAE threads.. or 10.9 or 12.9 numbers indicating metric.

metric bolts are .018" larger than 3/8...

what is important.. is to take the actual bolts that thread into the starter mounting holes easily..  stick them thru the starter motor in the normal direction.. if the fit at the knurled area is loose.. you have the wrong starter for the bolts.. if the bolts won't go thru the starter.. you have it wrong again..

3510 starters have 3/8 mounting holes.. 3510M have 10MM mounting holes..

3510 starters have bigger solenoids.   3510m starters have shorter solenoids.

[phat46]

Hello;
I've had some bolts that don't thread into anything SAE or Metric! (Go Think)!

Bruce

There are more threads than USS ans SAE. In 3/8" diameter you can get 12, 16, 18, 20, 24, 27, 28, 32, and 40 threads per inch. Not to mention metric with 10mm bolts available in 1, 1.25, or 1.5mm threads.

Then there's Whitworth, had a friend with a Norton in the 70's that had to go to Canada for hardware and parts for his bike.

[Rrumbler]

Good info, Wayne, as usual.  There is a lot of confusion and mis-information about this.