Hi Dave,
It has been my experience with Moss fasteners (others may have other opinions)
that they are generally reasonably priced, easy to get, and are of good
quality, and they work. However, I do not believe that they pay any heed to
correct bolt head design, markings, or to nut side stampings. Further, the
Moss hardware typically has the yellow tone of modern (zinc?) plating, where
on Healeys, the silver finish of zinc or cadmium is considered more correct.
I would apply the same general benefits and drawbacks to most of their parts.
I was fortunate, in that about 98% of my original hardware was salvageable.
for the remainder, I was able to pick up authentic bolts/nuts at show flea
markets, and through places like Healey Surgeons and BCS. (places that sell
used Healey parts and do restorations). I should probably not admit this,
but in cases where a strictly correct bolt could not be sourced, the non
original one can be swapped with one that is original but is in a non-visible
location. For instance: The bolts that hold in my oil pump have original head
stampings.......Prove me wrong!
All that aside, I think you will be surprised how many of the original bolts /
nuts etc are salvageable, by soaking in solvent, wire wheeling them (use good
leather gloves or pliers to hold bolts, use a sheet metal panel tapered
aligning spike to hold washers and nuts for wire wheeling) Further, threads
can be repaired by running them through a tap and die.
Good luck, Nobody said it was easy.... That's why there are so few cars with
all original fasteners.
David W. Jones
'62 Mk II BT7 tricarb
Cumberland, RI USA
----- Original Message -----
From: HealeyBN7@aol.com
To: healeys@autox.team.net
Sent: Tuesday, October 19, 2004 7:55 PM
Subject: Fastener supplier question
I know this subject has been covered at some length, but I would like to
ask
a specific supplier question. I was just going through the Moss on-line
catalogue and added about a hundred fasteners for my car to my "wish list."
A
couple of points before I ask my question: IMHO the Moss web site is very
good and the exploded views of the assemblies, the breakdown of individual
part
numbers and quantity required is great for me. Also, the wish list idea is
great. I have no beef with Moss. Very glad we have them. They have a lot
of
my money already.
My question: are the fasteners off the Moss site "correct," (do they have
the right markings on the heads) and are they of superior quality? By
superior quality I suppose I mean are they high enough grade, and will they
last a
while without rusting away, i.e., are they zinc or cad plated as the
original
were (were they?)?
I have read about sending out your old fasteners for plating, but many of
mine are toast. Old, busted, rusted, undercoat covered, incorrect. Many
need
replacing. I'm not intent on assembling a concours car, but I would like
the
fasteners to be mostly correct, not break and last more than 6 months
before
they rust. So, is Moss good for fasteners, or should I go somewhere else
for better? Great list by the way. I learn something every day. Thanks.
Dave
61 BN7
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