measuring bolts

[robr]

I'm looking at replacing engine compartment bolts with chromed hex headed bolts. I know there is some sort of kit available that allows you to screw the bolt into various openings to determine the thread width and count, but can't for the life of me figure out what this device is called. Figured it's something Home Depot would carry, but the help there looked at me like I had three heads when I tried to explain what it was I was looking for.

 

[MarkB]

You might want to check w/ a full-line hardware store. I have seen them locally at our Westlake Ace Hardware.

 

[j14nsx]

I use my tap and die set. By screwing bolts into the dies you can see what size the thread is. It also came with a pitch gauge. It's like a set of feeler gauges, but the blades have a serrated edge. Line up this edge against the thread of the bolt, to see the thread pitch.

 

[Briank]

Look at the service manual here on prime in the FAQ's (reference sec.) it gives the diameter and thread pitch for all the bolts.

 

[Yellow Rose]

Thread Gauge

What you are looking for is called a thread gauge. As simple of an item that it is, they are not that easy to locate. In this city, thread gauges are available at fastener warehouses or specialty tool outlets. I have not seen any at a hardware store or auto parts store.

Although a tap and die kit will work for you purpose, a thread gauge is far less expensive.

 

[robr]

thanks andy... you'd think a store with lots of bolts would carry something like this. i found them at boltdepot.com, $1.50 each for metric and english (of course after s&h it came out to $8.48). much easier than looking in the shop manual for each bolt . thanks for the help.

 

[JoeSchmoe]

If you have a lot of different bolts to measure, you might want to get one of these:

bolt sizer

Upper corner of page 247. Part number 990-0194. It will give you both diameter and pitch for almost anything you will find on the NSX.

I normally just use a caliper since metric bolts only come in so many sizes.

 

[robr]

here's what i ended up going with. looks like it does the same thing for much less $$$

http://www.boltdepot.com/Product.aspx?cc=26

<img src="http://www.boltdepot.com/images/threadgauge-us-small.jpg">
<img src="http://www.boltdepot.com/images/threadgauge-metric-small.jpg">

 

[JoeSchmoe]

Wow at $5 its a bargain!