Topic: More buggered screws rant

[bozo4onion]

Pre-rant: does anyone know the size and ddescription of the screws you loosen to set the timing so I will know what to ask for at screws are us.

Jeez , could the PO have completely annihilated any more friggin screws.

I'm just finishing up my major carb rebuild and tune up. I just installed the new Honda (1.5 week wait) and set them. Now all I have to do is set the timing, valves and the sync the carbs. Well.......I failed to even look at the screws holding the points plate. These things are so buggered they actually laugh at me when I get out my screwdriver. I can't even feel resistance. They even chuckled at my impact. I had to use a giant set of channel locks to get them out (laugh now #$%*es). Two of them even had washers. I bet I can't find these screws in town. Another friggin' 2 week wait. Makes me want to buy a Harley. Almost.

[chopstar500]

Any good hardware should have minature metric screws - there's multiple True Value Hardware stores in my area that stock them - mine were toast too & that's where I picked them up. The screw sizes are identified on the part fiche which is available at www.hondaparts-direct.com

[bozo4onion]

Trust me. I'm most familiar with Parts Direct. My fiche calls these "Screws/Pan 5X12". I'm sure there are several sizes 5X12 Pan screws. Thanks for the Ace hardware tip. I plan to go to Lowes first. Then Ace. I guess I could call the local Honda shop to hear them, again, laugh when I ask if they have parts in stock for a 32y/o Honda.

[mystic_1]

Any good hardware should have minature metric screws

+1

Here in IL you can get a good assortment of metric hardware at Ace or True Value, the True Value near me even stocks a selection of chrome plated metric hardware.  Just yesterday I bought a bunch of chrome acorn nuts, and assorted stainless hardware.  I replaced my points plate screws with True Value replacements years ago and couldn't be happier.

Note, oftentimes you will find that the replacements you locate will have different sized heads on them.  The phillips screws that Honda used have very small heads on them, the replacements you'll find will have larger heads.  This is good in some cases, like the clamping screws on the points plate, but bad in other situations where clearances are tight.  The same applies to bolts, you may find that your replacements have the next-size-larger head on them for a given thread size.

mystic_1

[bozo4onion]

Thanks mystic, I'm feeling better now. It's just that all the case screws, the headlight screw, all the carb screws and even the tiny ones inside the carb slides that hold the needle in were trashed. Maybe I'll go to Ace first (then the beer store). I hope I'm done tonight. If the motion pro feeler gauges (2 week wait) are here. Almost paint time. Larger heads are good in this case. Maybe even bolts???

[Porscheguy912]

I dont know if you have ever tried this, and it may belong in the tips and tricks section, But...

If you invest in a small tube of "permatex Valve grinding compound" and just dab a small amount on the tip of your screwdriver, It will really help the removal of screws. Wrecked or not.

And +1 on Ace Hardware. I worked at an ace when i was 19. They seriously have the best selection of screws nuts and bolts, chrome plated, metric, whatever...

I completely rebuilt my 1968 Porsche and my 1975 CB550 and ace only let me down one or two times whilst looking fro replacement fasteners.

[merc2dogs]

 Agree with the ACE hardware, it's the first place I go when I need bolts or screws. The one nearest to me sells tons of them. Also the only place near that gives the option of buying seperately or by the box.
   I tend to get a few different lengths by the box, that way I can trim them to length on the lathe if I find I need a few in between lengths
  I prefer the stainless for areas where appearance is important. Chrome just doesn't seem to hold up as well for as long.
 
 Ace also seems to be the only place where the people know what you're talking about. It's gotten so I won't even look at home depots for construction products.

Ken.

Ken

[chopstar500]

Trust me. I'm most familiar with Parts Direct. My fiche calls these "Screws/Pan 5X12". I'm sure there are several sizes 5X12 Pan screws. Thanks for the Ace hardware tip. I plan to go to Lowes first. Then Ace. I guess I could call the local Honda shop to hear them, again, laugh when I ask if they have parts in stock for a 32y/o Honda.

5x12 is the size (5mm x 12mm in length) - like Mystic said, the only that might vary is the head size.

[bozo4onion]

Hey chop, I was wondering thread pitch. Maybe there are only regular and machine, metric has only 1 I dunno?? I've been SAE too long. my Chevy is metric now too.

[bozo4onion]

Thanks for the tip porscheguy (wow do you really have a 912, most unique). This is the first time the impact failed.

[mystic_1]

Hey chop, I was wondering thread pitch. Maybe there are only regular and machine, metric has only 1 I dunno?? I've been SAE too long. my Chevy is metric now too.

In metric, you have 'coarse' and 'fine' thread pitches, bring samples of your old fasteners along and compare them to make sure you're getting the right ones.  You should be able to mesh the threads of the old and new fasteners.  Only place you'll really run into issues is that some of the larger (8mm, 10mm) Honda fasteners are fine pitch and hardware stores tend to only stock coarse for the larger sizes.  For the smaller fasteners you should do fine.

mystic_1

[Porscheguy912]

Thanks for the tip porscheguy (wow do you really have a 912, most unique). This is the first time the impact failed.

Yes sir! an early 1968 912 before they changed the front suspension.

If my dad had taken better care of it, i probably would never have developed my insatiable need for speed or gotten into mechanics and then bikes.

So here's to his poor judgment!!

[bozo4onion]

Yep, Ace is the place. Cost a whole $.77. Harley indeed. Thanks all.