Ok to replace grade 5 and 8 bolt with stainless
#1
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Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 1,592
Likes: 3
From: Owensboro, KY
Okay as many of you know I am dressing the outside of my motor with all billet parts when I go to put the bolts back on I would like to replace them with stainless instead of bronze on exterior motor parts will this be an issue? Pulleys, alternator brackets, etc
#3
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Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 2,960
Likes: 7
From: Sandown, NH - Sebago Lake Region, ME
Yup go for it!
When I rebuilt my engines I replaced every bolt with stainless Allen bolts and stainless washers.
I even put stainless bolts in areas like the face of the cylinder heads where there were just threaded holes but nothing in them! I think it added a level of dress up and uniformity. You can see the bling in the photo!
What I wasn't expecting was the $450 dollar tab I had run up at my local nut and bolt place!
When I rebuilt my engines I replaced every bolt with stainless Allen bolts and stainless washers.
I even put stainless bolts in areas like the face of the cylinder heads where there were just threaded holes but nothing in them! I think it added a level of dress up and uniformity. You can see the bling in the photo!

What I wasn't expecting was the $450 dollar tab I had run up at my local nut and bolt place!

#4
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Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 368
Likes: 2
From: Jamesport, New York
YES!!! http://www.totallystainless.com/ Is absolute best supplier, I did the full engine kit for my 383. That was 5 years ago, they are the only company licensed by ARP. I have recommended them to quite a few also very satisfied guys. They carry something for every application, wait until you get a catalog!!!!
Phil
Phil
#6
Yes to totallystainless close to me, we use them all for the cars in my resto shop, call and get there catalog, they have complete kits, single items, also have grade 8 or harder bolts, and every type of bolts, washers, nuts, you can think of, and standard ss bolts are not hardened, in fact if you buy bolts off them they will ask you what your using them on, wont sell you standard ss bolts if your going to use them on any steering or suppention work, got to get the hardened ones from them...
#7
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Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 2,079
Likes: 1,203
From: Murrayville Georgia
I would say yes and no. it depends on where you are buying from. a quality bolt shop should have a pretty good grade of stainless but I have seen some at hardware stores that were pretty bad quality and very soft. the parts you are bolting on are not very high stress so as long as they are decent quality you should be fine.
#10
If you're running in salt water a lot and the aluminum parts are not coated or anodized, consider using Tef-Gel in between the bolt and the part. Aluminum and stainless are at opposite ends of the galvanic scale and will corrode together very badly in the presence of salt water. By "badly", I mean that they will virtually weld themselves together...
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Retired! Boating full-time now.
Retired! Boating full-time now.


