Hello there,
Thanks for the responses I got last time I posted on this site, it was very helpful.

I've got to a stage of the project where things can be rebuilt instead of tore down. I've come into a a few questions though.

1. When replacing old bolts, is Grade 5 ever acceptable or should Grade 8 always be used? A side note, if anyone knows where I can buy Grade 8 Imperial hardware in the UK, please let me know!

2. The nut that holds the front wheel hub onto the steering knuckle shaft, it's a 3/4" fine thread castle nut... the only replacements I can find, I do not know the tensile strength of, I would've thought this nut is quite important structurally?

3. The rear wheel studs, are they the same as the front? I bought a load and the front and rear are identical, however the rear ones do not fit, the swaged shaft is too wide and too long. I do not know whether my rear end is original (code 9783393), and it appears that either the left or right axle shaft has been replaced independent of the other as the designs are slightly different (access holes in the rotor and length of the bearing swage). If the rear studs are indeed supposed to be different from the front, I do not know where to buy them from?

4. Mounting the subframe to the body... the mount holes have rusted a bit, and I do have those big "repair" washers to sit directly on the subframe, but there is a little bit of play when the rubber bushings are installed... would this be noticeable/dangerous when the car is in use? Should I weld the washers in place on the subframe to stop the bushing movement?

5. Not ready to mount the engine just yet but... I have a 326 and could not find replacement engine mounts, but have read somewhere that the mounts for the 400 are the same?

I realise that is a lot... perhaps it would've been better to to do each question separately...

Thanks so much for reading,
Lloyd

I can answer a couple:

1. I can't answer directly, but I remember a raging debate on this question on another site, I am thinking either Performance Years or Team Camaro. There was an engineer who pointed out that Grade 8 is more brittle than Grade 5 and cautioned about a universal use of Grade 8 for replacements - especially at suspension points. My recommendation is to purchase direct replacements for bolts from reputable Pontiac speciality reproduction part houses like Ames, Classic Industries, Performance Years. Another good source would be clean, rust-free used bolts from us here.

4. Those "washers" are designed to either be welded on top of the mounting point surface or welded in flush to replace the original hole. There is debate on which method is correct, but one thing for sure - they need to be welded on.

5. All pontiac V8's were identical on the exterior so they use only one motor mount. So, yes, the 400 motor mounts would work.

I check your site at least once a week and see you have reach a bit of a lull after the rear quarter panels.

Thanks for those answers. I had hoped to use Grade 8 for peace of mind and appearance but can't find them over here anywhere, nor it would seem able to ship them over... I've shipped a whole car, loads of replacement panels and paint over, but no-one wants to post me nuts and bolts, it's a little weird.

I haven't updated my site in a while, but have been working on the car albeit slowly. All of the welding and grinding of the body is done. It's currently away at the shotblasters (again) and should come back to me by Tuesday. From there it's underseal and back onto the subframe (finally!).

My favorite nut/bolt store in Arizona was Copper State Nut & Bolt. But it appears you can't order stuff on-line from them.

However I also checked Fastenal, and they offer their fasteners on-line. I don't know about shipping overseas, though. But heck, it's a Global Economy!

Fastenal

More thoughts - these guys are right around the corner from me and they have the largest selection of fasteners I have ever seen for a building supply or hardware type store:

Forest Building Supply

Worst comes to worst, I could just play middle man for you. They have the most impressive Grade 8 bolt selection I have ever come across.

I can relate. I spent 6 years in Germany in the '80's and my family and friends kept me sane with video tapes and music from the States.

The steering knuckle nut I've found at Classic Industries, as well as a few other bolts and I'll try again with the rear studs and see what I get sent. I'm intending on replacing all of the original bolts even though they seem in good condition... I've contacted both Fastenal and Forest regarding UK shipping, so fingers crossed.

Hopefully that's all my problems sorted thus far, cheers