Feked Stainless Head Bolts

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I like Feked a lot, and my Dad and I have bought a lot from Gordon for some other projects.

However, at that price, I would be weary about using stainless head bolts.

Andover or RGM would be my favourites for getting the right kit with the right tensile strength (but I'm in the UK, and I see you're not)

If you are set on Stainless, ARP would be the only option for me - cNw do a great kit that I can recommend.
 
Not tried them, and probably never will. I say that only because they don't list specifics about the materials used (unless I missed it somewhere). From the https://www.boltdepot.com/fastener-info ... rials.aspx website; "It is a common misconception that stainless steel is stronger than regular steel. In fact, due to their low carbon content, many stainless steel alloys cannot be hardened through heat treatment. Therefore, when compared to regular steel, the stainless alloys used in bolts are slightly stronger than an un-hardened (grade 2) steel but significantly weaker than hardened steel fasteners." Don't forget that stainless bolts are much more likely to seize and gall, making for fun thread replacement.
Not meaning to piss in your coffee; just some practical observations...

Nathan
 
Try Dave Middleton and Sons for stainless. Been making fasteners for the Commando since then 80's.
 
A lot has to do with wether the threads are rolled or cut. I think cut threads are more likely to gall
 
peter12 said:
Try Dave Middleton and Sons for stainless. Been making fasteners for the Commando since then 80's.
Click to expand...

Whoa those Dave Middleton are even cheaper. I emailed him asking the grade. Thanks for the heads up.
 
Whats the fastanation with S/S bolts, whats wrong with the orginal head bolts, myself would never use S/S bolts on any major parts on my bike, seen to many break, the threads go tight, the only s/s bolts I have on my Norton at the moment is my wheel adjusters and I hate them every time I have to adjust the chain I can feel one going tight and being a Featherbed the adjusters are very small threads, glad I don't adjust the chain to much.

I don't care what my head bolts look like, my Norton is a rider not a show pony but everone to themselfs, I used all my orginal Commando bolts when converting to the Featherbed frame 35 years ago and they are still doing the job today except when replacing all thoughs screw head bolt around the timing cover and gear box cover with allen head bolts, but I just replaced then with nomaly H/T allen heads, that was the first year after buying my Norton new and they are still there as well, I don't really mine the rusty look on them, but they are still doing their job.

Ashley
 
Mick Hemmings in his engine build says to use the regular genuine Norton steel head bolts not SS. He mention seeing problems with galling with the SS bolts.
 
htown16 said:
Mick Hemmings in his engine build says to use the regular genuine Norton steel head bolts not SS. He mention seeing problems with galling with the SS bolts.
Click to expand...

Oh my preference is NOT stainless steel. I would prefer an alloy steel designed for engine use. The trouble is finding a kit for Norton 750's at the right price. I'm all ears...
 
Surely this is personal preference. In the 80's I rebuilt my Commando using all fasteners from dave Middleton, never had problems with any of them, this was a high mileage daily user. Mine was a Fred Barlow motor.
I now have a standard 850 with mainly stock fasteners, happy with that at the moment, may rebuild at some stage, not sure.
I think Im right in saying that Colorado Norton supply stainless fasteners for most if not all. I suspect that Mat is more than happy with them or he wouldn't sell them.
 
peter12 said:
Try Dave Middleton and Sons for stainless. Been making fasteners for the Commando since then 80's.
Click to expand...

Dave Middleton uses 303 Stainless for his head bolt kit. Any thoughts if they will hold up?
 
Hes been making them since the 80's!
Have searched the forum, cannot see any negative comments, just someone who prefers his fastners to Andy Molnars, who also knows his business!
 
He's fast also, next day delivery. (In the UK obv!). Remember always lube your stainless threads.
 
danfr said:
peter12 said:
Try Dave Middleton and Sons for stainless. Been making fasteners for the Commando since then 80's.
Click to expand...

Whoa those Dave Middleton are even cheaper. I emailed him asking the grade. Thanks for the heads up.
Click to expand...

I have used these Middleton bolts and they are good quality, but stainless does stretch in service, so now I am moving to ARP...
 
The cheapest head bolts will be the ones you just removed. If you are set on replacing them, cheaper bolts my not be the most economical. A head gasket costs about twice what you would save on a cheap set of head bolts...

Greg
 
I have the CNW head and barrel kit on my MK3, I think there probably the best you can get.
cNw part # 0800-30, cNw part # 0800-29
 
I got the genuine Andover regular steel bolt, nut and stud kit from Waldridge motors. Have done a set on my 750 several years ago, no signs of rust. Just put a set on my 850 builder.
 
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