Originally Posted by Dale .D
How do i measure sizes & types of threads for ordering. Right now all I need is the valve cover bolts & thermostat bolts.
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The valve cover bolts are 6mm - M6 as it is called in Metric bolt terminology.
The next thing to know is the pitch of the thread - how far apart each thread is along the bolt. M6 X 1.0mm pitch is what they are. Now just measure the length of the thread to under the head in millimeters and that gives you a complete description of the bolt.
I think they are 30mm long; so the Cam cover bolts would be:
M6 X 1.0 X 30 = M6 X 1.0 pitch X 30mm long - will leave it to you to check the length!
Most bolts other than the manifold bolts (M9 X 1.25) and the front cover bolts (M7 X 1.0) are 'standard' sizes: M6 X 1.0 ; M8 X 1.25 ; M10 X 1.5 ; M12 X 1.75
Oh! The head bolts have a non-standard pitch too.
The thermostat bolts are: M8 X 1.25 pitch but I find that stainless studs are best here as they do not have to be wound out of the casting to remove the thermostat - just take the nuts off. Even found some nice stainless acorn nuts for both the rocker cover and the thermostat housing and used studs on both.
Good Hint - metric grubscrews can be used for studs and they have a neat little hex socket in the ends of them for installing them - just have to cut them dowm (or get them) the right length. Makes it easy to remove the 'studs' to ease the removal of the rocker cover on GTs.
Also put a nylon washer under a stainless washer beneath the acorn nut on the rocker cover to stop oil leaks up around the threads - see how far you can go with all this!
The easiest way to check pitches is to get a new bolt with a known pitch and press the threads together, side by side to see if they mesh correctly.
OR - do the 'Toolie' thing and get a Metric Pitch Gauge .........
HTH
PS: Hasn't Canada 'gone Metric' - or is that too much like giving in to the Francophiles??