What would you do?

[Born Lucky]

O.K.
So, in my normal routine of upgrades, resto, etc. I more than likely buy new fasteners for my parts. This usually changes if the vehicle is new or close to new.
Is this overdo! Example: I am redoing my coolong system, new hoses, new thermosat, water pump. I plan on using all new hardware for this application.
I like to do this because I feel the fasteners are old. Metal changes after all this time.
What are your habits when it concerns this?


P.S. All fresh paint also! I do it right.

[markeb01]

I generally use new fasteners as well. I also frequently upgrade to serrated flange nuts and bolts on sheet metal connections. If I was a restorer I would stick with nothing but originals. New reproductions for a specific application rarely ever look like the originals. I've always used the cars and trucks I've built, so functionality has always been more important to me than correctness.

[N2TRUX]

I like to bead blast them clean and put them back where they belong.

[Captainfab]

I often use new fasteners too, but it sometimes depends on what it is, and the budget at the time. Another consideration is the fact that these fasteners have held up this long, and they are made in the USA. Most, not all, of the new fasteners that you will buy are made in China or some other foreign land. I know they have to pass QC and all, but I just don't have 100% faith in overseas products. So if the original fasteners look to be in good condition, I will most often reuse them. But then again like I said, it depends on the application. For a performance engine build, I will replace at least the critical fasteners with quality made fasteners.

[blackedoutharley]

On engines I always replace the fasteners... Anything with some "poop" to it gets new main and head bolts.

[ChiefRocka]

Any fastener that'll 'stretch', and has a crutial torque spec (heads, mains, rotating assemblies, etc.) will be replaced.

As Captain and others mentioned, I would clean up and reuse. Unless, previous owners went thru the vehicle, and the fasteners are mis-matched etc.

If I'm doing a custom build on something (whether I'm changing out to an aluminum radiator, or adding a new manifold, or some V covers) then I will usually change out all the fasteners to new. I usually save all the old stuff though.

I'm a big fan of the look of the grade 8 stuff ...

[apachedaddy]

I'm sure most wrench turners have a bucket of these. Over the years of works on trucks and cars my 2 gallon bucket has filled with nuts, bolts, washers and such. I can't tell you how many times I dumped it on the floor and found, cleaned up and used hardware out of it. As stated before some things are best bought new but I recycle other items that can be... As my grandpa use to say if you don't have left overs you didn't do it right LOL...

[losthope]

Originally Posted by apachedaddy

I'm sure most wrench turners have a bucket of these. Over the years of works on trucks and cars my 2 gallon bucket has filled with nuts, bolts, washers and such. I can't tell you how many times I dumped it on the floor and found, cleaned up and used hardware out of it. As stated before some things are best bought new but I recycle other items that can be... As my grandpa use to say if you don't have left overs you didn't do it right LOL...

i dump my coffee can on the garage floor often!!

[Chevy Fleetside]

When ever I do a water pump I usually replace the bolts with SS bolts.

[sams60gmc]

95 Percent of my bolts will all be new. Thankfully I have access to a huge assortment of grade 8 bolts and an even bigger assortment of grade 5. I perfer 8 tho because they are coated.
Body bolts will most likely be cleaned and re used.
I also perfer fine thread. I don't know why. Just like the look more.