Experience with stainless engine bolt kit

[foxjohnc]

The allen bolts on my XJ are very crusty and I would like to replace them with something better. I have seen some kits on ebay for the XS-XJ. Are they any good? Is it worth the money or can I get them locally? I wouldnt even begin to know where to locate them. Also, the bolts that hold the top case to the bottom are rusty. Are they still available? Thanks. My XJ will be on the road in no time.

[srq68]

During the restoration process on my XS, even after polishing them back to a shine, the OEM bolts started to rust after a few weeks, so I decided to replace as much non-critical bolts with stainless ones. I looked on Ebay an found that most kits were put together in a ziploc bag and ran fairly high for my budget.
I was able to find some metric allen bolts at the local Home Depot or Ace hardware, but then I found this site http://www.mmsacc-stainless.com/metr...ric_allen.html that had everything I needed, at a very reasonable price, like 1/2 to 1/4 the hardware store's. The staff is very helpful too.
I replaced all the allens on the engine case covers, valve cover, footpegs, all the screws holding the instruments and elecrical components, even handle controls. I left alone any bolt that was strength-critical like on the triple tree, the head and cylinder bolts, engine mounts. Not only it looks good, but the bolts won't corode and will be easier to remove in the future (always think ahead, drop of oil on each thread...)
I figured it cost me around $40-50 for all the bolts, nuts and screws everywhere, not just the engine case kits you'll find on Ebay.
Good Luck

[thumperjsa]

I needed some shorter bolts for the heads when I was putting on my new header pipes. Found the metric ones at the local napa auto parts store. Cost me I think $3 for the 8 bolts I needed because of the small quantity. They look good and should endure the heat OK.

[Jerry]

I use a little anti-seize compound on the ss bolts I put on the XJ. So far mostly on carbs (bowls and covers) but plan to do more.

[srq68]

Oh yeah, I replaced all the screws on the carbs too with allens, no more stripped head from taking them on and off...

[skids]

I did that too, but be careful not to stip the threads in the carb body with an electric screwdriver with hex-head attachment! Don't ask how I know !

Originally posted by srq68
Oh yeah, I replaced all the screws on the carbs too with allens, no more stripped head from taking them on and off...

[Shuriken]

Using a drill and attachment is not the only way to strip out the carb screw bodies...

Any time the OEM screws are replaced with something more durable it is easy to strip the threads. I replace all of the float bowl screws with metric allen-head screws, but it then becomes easier to strip the threads - even by hand - because they seem to transfer more torque to the threads while oem screws strip out before they tighten like the allen-heads.

I've stripped one or two threads by hand. I found it takes very little torque and a good gasket to stop the fuel leaks from the bowls.

Ben

[John]

I just replaced all of the bolts that hold the valve cover to the head with ss allen head bolts. Cost $6. Look in the yellow pages for any fastener (nut & bolt) supply store. They should have them. On the other bolts in the engine, I put them on the wire wheel on a bench grinder, then polished them with Rub N' Buff. It's a wax based product, so they should be protected for some time. All of the bolts I'm talking about can be seen in the pics of my bike in the link furnished below my signature. That process was a lot cheaper than buying all new hardware, and they look great!

[switz1]

Updates

Anyone have any updates on any of the stainless steel metric bolts on E-Bay? Any of them any good? Any links to good places to buy them?

[COOL TOM]

Stainless bolts

switz1 you can get stainless bolts at Fastenal in Peoria, Il. That is where i get my bolts at. You can get them at Pekin, Il also but that store just sells them in bulk form (50/100) at a time.
When using allen style bolts in the carbs use a screwdriver style handle so you won't put too much torque on them.
Address; 733 SW Washington Street, Peoria IL 61602
Phone; 309-637-1331
Fax; 309-637-1430
E-mail; ilpra@stores.fastenal.com
Buy it online! wwwfastenal.com

[COOL TOM]

miss spell

address for online should be www.fastenal.com

for got to put in the dot

[xschop]

stainless

fastenal is a good source for most all the metric ss. I switched out every single bolt to stainless except one in the middle drive its like 165mm long and no one makes it. It will eventually get custom made......

[trbig]

Partsnmore has them for $7 (34 pieces) if you can think of something else to buy to make the $35 minimum. That's the cheapest I've seen them.


Tod

[79XS11F]

I bough 3 SS kits / 2 carb kits and have changes out every bolt I could on both my engines. That includes all engine covers, carb boots, etc. I applied anti seize to each and every one of them during the rebuilds. Their GREAT and look awesome.
Rob

[switz1]

Dirty work

Thanks for the replies guys, now can anyone give me the sizes I need for the motor and carbs.... Might be asking too much huh?


Thanks gentlemen