I have noted in this thread that the Socket Cap starter bolt is treated as an alien entity in the overall scheme of bolts on the engine. This is interesting because I have exactly the opposite reaction. As I have been building my engines and the Turbocharged Audi 3A engine, I have replaced all bolts with socket caps (Allen head) bolts. I find that they are very easy to work with and are available in higher strength grades than the regular hex heads. The combination of an Allen key socket set and a quality hex key hand set will set you back less than $40 in LA. Replacing the bolts on the diesel oil pan with a set of 6 mm socket caps will make a believer out of most knuckle busters. Besides, I really like the way they look. Also, I enjoy going to Metric Specialties in Burbank, giving him a list and walking out with a brown bag of aircraft quality bolts for less than I pay for schlock at Pep Boys for the hex metric. Just my musings. Frank Grunthaner |
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